TREASURES from the Butler Institute of American Art
An Exhibition of Masterworks for the 25th Silver Anniversary of the Midwest Museum of American Art. APRIL 2nd – May 30th.
The Midwest Museum of American Art is pleased to work cooperatively with the Butler Institute of American Art in bringing 40 masterworks to Northern Indiana in a celebration of the 25th Anniversary of MMAA. In doing so, both institutions can collaboratively endorse American Art and the importance of preserving the nation’s cultural heritage. As co-curator of the exhibit, Peggy Grant, Director of 20 North Gallery in Toledo stated, “Treasures from the Butler… will be an outstanding exhibition. It will give new audiences in the region of the Midwest a chance to see why they should go visit the Butler and do great credit to both museums.”
Many important names appear on the list ost of which will be recognizable bythe general public. The exhibit will consist of paintings, drawings and watercolors by eminent American artists such as Alexander Calder (1898-1977) , Milton Avery (1893-1965) , Charles Burchfield (1893-1967) , Edward Hopper (1882-1967) and Andy Warhol (1931-1987) . A surprise will be the inclusion of an oil on canvas by Anthony Benedetto (b. 1925-) more commonly known by his stage name – Tony Bennett .
Many of the artists represented complement the Midwest Museum’s own permanent collection and its 25 year history of collecting meaningful works which tell the story of America’s changing cultural and aesthetic face.
Now in its 87th year of existence the Butler Insittute, along with its branches in Salem and Howland, continues its mission of collecting and exhibiting the very best American works. With a permanent collection of over 25,000 pieces and newly expanded gallery space bringing the total to over 100,000 square feet, the Butler Insitute stands as a role model for all museums which acquire, exhibit, educate and preserve. By comparison, as the Midwest Museum of American Art celebrates its quarter-century of achievement, museum members, corporate affiliates and the general public can feel a sense of pride of accomplishment as MMAA charts its corse for the next 25 years.
BUS TRIP TO CHICAGO! Wednesday, April 28th
The Midwest Museum of American Art will sponsor its first bus trip of 2004 to the Art Institute of Chicago. Travelers will see the exhibition “rembrandt’s Journey: Painter, Draftsman, Etcher” . The exhibition will highlight all periods of his long career. Travelers will discover over 200 works including 20 paintings, 33 drawings and 159 prints in the first American exhibition to explore Rembrandt’s ashtonishing range.
You may register for this trip and receive an itinerary by phoning the museum at (574) 293-6660. FEE: $40 includes chartered motorcoach, admission to the museum & wine and cheese on the return trip. Lunch on your own.
More about the Butler Institute…
The Butler Institute of American Art was founded in 1917 by Joseph G. Butler, Jr. (1860-1927), a Youngstown, Ohio industrialist. Since that time and with an expanding endowment and membership, the Butler has collected some of the most well-known American masterpieces. One of these works, “Snap the Whip”, an oil done in 1872 by Eastman Johnson is in itself an American icon of the 19th century. It was published on the cover of the book, Master Paintings from the Butler Institute of American Art in 1994 published by Harry Abrams, Inc. in commemoration of the museum’s 75 year history. This book is on view along with other educational materials for the public during the exhibit thanks to the Midwest Museum of American Art Library & Archives.
The work illustrated on the opposite page is by an American Master of the 20th Century – Robert Motherwell – the subject of a major exhibition opening this summer at the Midwest Museum of American Art.
The Midwest Museum of American Art presents the Elkhart Community School’s exhibition of selected work by middle school and high school students beginning Sunday, February 29th , and continuing on view through Sunday, March 28th, 2004. This event has been held annually for the past twenty-four years in conjunction with National Youth Art Month.
The Mary Jane Parmater Keefe Award will be presented to six outstanding art students. The award winning students will be chosen on the basis of votes cast by 16 Elkhart art teachers to encourage students in the visual arts. Carolyn Keefe, of Houston, Texas, continues her support of this prestigious award in memory of her late mother, a former Elkhart native and patron of the arts.
Other awards to be given include the PSI IOTA XI Sorority Middle School Student Award of Encouragement along with two Honorable Mentions. Kappa Kappa Kappa, Alpha Rho Chapter, for the 21st year will give monetary awards known as the Curator’s Choice Awards to ten students. New this year will be a $500 Art Scholarship Award given by the Elkhart Evening Optimists.
The opening Reception for students, teachers, parents and invited guests will be held on Sunday, February 29th, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm . Art Instructor Jim Rasp (North Side Middle School) is the Chair of this year’s exhibit.
Sponsors for Youth Art in Elkhart 2004 include Elkhart Breakfast Optimists, Elkhart Evening Optimists, Carolyn Keefe of Houston, Texas, Heart City Kiwanis, Hopman Jewlers, Psi Iota Xi, Tri Kappa, Alpha Rho Chapter, Seifert Drug Store, Inc., & State Farm Insurance – Rocky Enfield.
AN AFTERNOON OF CHAMBER MUSIC! Sunday, March 14th at 1:30pm
The museum will have as part of our ongoing 25th Anniversary Celebration an afternoon of chamber music featuring “Juliana and Friends”. Participating in the program will be Aleksandra Kemble, flute, Chris Lockman, french horn, Julianna Lockman, piano, Sara Thomas, violincello and Judy Weaver, violin. All the musicians excel in their fields and are widely known throughout the state. Please join us in the Main Gallery for an afternoon of enchanting music and if you haven’t heard our 1912 Steinway Grand, this will be your opportunity to do so.
“PYSANKY”, the Ukrainian art of decorating Easter eggs will be demonstrated by Mr. Gale Balmer on Palm Sunday afternoon, April 4th, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the Midwest Museum of American Art. This annual event is an opportunity to view the craftsman at work, while discovering the array of designs and colors he employs. The demonstration is FREE to the public and finished work will be available for purchase.
The Midwest Museum of American Art gratefully acknowledges gifts in honor or in memory of special friends. Notes of acknowledgement are sent by the Museum to those honored or to the families of those memorialized. Recent memorials and donations to specific funds include:
IN MEMORY OF:
Linda L Dinehart (by Adah Lynn, Ken & Kathy Zienty)
Lincoln E. Frye (by George & Evie White)
Kathleen Huston (by Kenneth & Betty Blake, Jane Burns, Brian & Lisa Byrn, Wendell & Marty Culp)
Carl Remmel (by Mr. & Mrs. Paul Thomas)
Max Stutzman (by Dr. Howard L. Smith)
Mary A. Whisler (by Brian & Lisa Byrn)
MIDWEST MUSEUM ACQUISITION FUND: (by Robert L. Fancil
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