It’s my favorite time of the year! You might think I’m referring to the arrival of Birds in Art,but alas, no.
Turning the calendar to August signals a reinstallation of the Museum’s permanent collection galleries. In preparation, I wander among the art storage racks, marveling at the beauty of the paintings and graphics, while drawing inspiration from them. Our holdings are ever-changing – growing with regular gifts and purchases – which makes each visit to storage a bit different as well as inspiring.
Artworks ”spoke” loudly this year resulting in four distinctly themed installations.
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| Jasper Cropsey, Hazy Afternoon, Autumn |
The South Galleries are freshly painted in shades of green. I’ve found these colors have the right tones to focus attention on the artwork, and provide a warm and inviting atmosphere. Upon entering you’ll encounter historic paintings by Martin Johnson Heade, John James Audubon, Albert Bierstadt, and Rubens Peale. A common motif is the masterful handling of illumination by each artist. Follow the Light: Selections from the Collection examines the varied ways sunlight and moonlight enhance a composition.
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| Bob Kuhn, Close Harmony |
Proceeding through the galleries, you’ll find highlights from a collection assembled twenty years ago. When first exhibited, Natural Wonders: The John and Alice Woodson Forester Miniature Collection was an artist-driven project comprising 154 paintings, works on paper, and sculpture. The small-scale works honored the unwavering support of Museum founders John and Alice Woodson Forester. Natural Wonders: Commemorating Twenty Yearsincludes sixty works from this collection.
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| Owen J. Gromme, Blue Jays Harassing Screech Owl |
The year-old west gallery will be slightly revamped. Don’t fret, Owen Gromme’s re-created studio will remain as will twelve of his large canvases. These will be juxtaposed with thirty-six pencil drawings and watercolor sketches. This selection will allow a peek into the artist’s creative process, specifically how the placement of various elements in a composition contributes to the overall success of a painting.
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| Owen J. Gromme, Blue Jay Study |
Gromme’s love of the outdoors and affinity for hunting are evident in his paintings; these passions are shared by many artists. Dawn to Dusk: The Sporting Spirit in Americacomprises twenty-five works by Ogden Pleissner, Lynn Bogue Hunt, Frank Benson, A.L. Ripley and others. Each painting depicts a scene right out of field or forest, just as Gromme’s work reflects Wisconsin, a state long known as an outdoor paradise.
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| Gustav Muss-Arnolt, On Quail |
The installation of Birds in Art at the end of August will wrap up the month-long task of refreshing the Museum’s galleries readying its collections to share with thousands of visitors in the weeks ahead. I hope blog readers will be among them, having opportunities to witness the beauty of the Woodson Art Museum’s collection and the creative talents of all the artists.
