LEGACY
A Tradition Lives On An invitational exhibition of Realist paintings & sculpture by Artists tracing their style from Louis Anquetin (1861-1932), Jacques Maroger (1884-1962), & Joseph Sheppard (b.1930-)
The Midwest Museum of American Art is pleased to present an exhibition of Realist artworks which originated at the University of Maryland College of Art. Over 70 paintings, drawings and sculpture will be presented by artists who have continued to work in a style which can be traced to the French artist Louis Anquetin (1861-1932) who, while befriended by Toulous Lautrec and the circle of Post-Impressionists, nevertheless charted a course of strict representational paintings as the Modern age of art began to dawn. Anquetin passed the torch to his pupil Jaques Maroger who eventually discovers what he himself was seeking – the answer to a technical riddle about the Old Masters painting medium. Maroger was Director of the Laboratories of the Louvre when he made his breakthrough discovery. Anquetin was elated that the process that artists, like Peter Paul Rubens, applied to create shimmering surfaces and brilliant passages of color was now available to Modernists who wished to continue the “dialogue of the real”.
Interestingly, this same approach to technical accuracy and stunning visual effects of paint was handed down to Joseph Sheppard one of Jacques Maroger’s students at the University of Maryland College of Art. Maroger had come to America in 1933. He began teaching and writing his first book on the subject of his discovery to be called “Maroger’s Medium “. Sheppard began his studies with Maroger around 1948-49. He became acquainted with Reginald Marsh during many drawing sessions under Maroger’s tutelage. Marsh was an extremely important influence on the selection of subjects in Sheppard’s work. The young artist was advised to turn his attention to everyday scenes of his native Baltimore. Scenes of African American neighborhoods, bar room gatherings, and boxing matches became Joseph Sheppard’s subject matter. Looking at the world around him became his method of finding his way through 20th Century Modernism. Through teaching, during 15 years at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Sheppard passed this Legacy onto many students; eleven are featured in this exhibition.
The exhibition will open on Friday, July 22 with a Special Reception from 7:00pm to 9:00pm . Artists whose work will be included in this major exhibit include, Nina Akamu, Nilda Maria Comas, Daniel Graves, Malcom Harlow, Douglas Hofmann, Michael Molnar, James Earl Reid, Robert Seyffert, Mark Tennent, Evan Wilson, and David Zuccarini. The exhibition will continue throughout the summer and into Fall closing on Sunday, September 18, 2005 .
from the Director…
I invite residents and visitors to join the Midwest Museum as we celebrate the height of the summer with two top notch exhibits, “Cowboys, Cadillacs, & Cactus: A New View of the Southwest” and “Legacy”. The major pieces in the Southwest show are from the Tom & Mary Jane McClain collection and feature unique pieces seen no where else in the world. I am personally excited about the “Legacy” exhibit because I know and admire the originator, Joseph Sheppard, who has worked long hard hours to pull together a major traveling exhibition. Both exhibits kick off an exciting summer and attest to the fact that each season is a part of the Midwest Museum’s mission to bring exciting and engaging shows to our audience. Please use your membership and participate in one (or more) of our many special programs and exhibits. ~JANE BURNS
Toulouse – Lautrec and Montmarte Monday, August 15
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) is one of the most fascinating figures in the history of art. Known today as chronicler of the late 19th-century Parisian underworld, his famous paintings and posters embody the image of that time and place. Taking Montmarte – the Parisian district that was the site of the brothels, cafes and dance halls that Toulouse-Lautrec adored – as a state of mind as well as an environment, the exhibition presents the artist’s work next to that of his contemporaries. Works by Degas, Seurat, and Picasso will be included.
This bus trip includes round-trip travel by deluxe motor coach, audio guide and admission. Lunch on your own.
Depart: 8:00am (Marian street side of MMAA)
Arrive back in Elkhart: 5:30pm FEE: $50 . Payment due upon reservation. Call 293-6660
FAMILY FREE DAY!
The Midwest Museum of American Art is in need of a sponsor for our immensely popular, “Sunday Family Free Day”. After many years, we lost our sponsor and will need to find a new one if we are to continue with our Sundays being open to the public. The exciting aspect that has evolved over the years has been the increased attendance in single parent families and also an increase of the elderly on fixed incomes. Our yearly 52 week Sundays provide a means of entertainment, togetherness, and education in a nice environment. With the museum’s mission to bring art and culture to our citizens, we sincerely hope to have a new sponsor.
Art Camp II & III for Children
The leader for both 5-day Art Camps will be Shana Dines , Artist and Educator from Goshen. The Art Camp II will be held at the Midwest Museum beginning Monday, July 11, through Friday, July 15 . Art Camp III will be held at MMAA beginning Monday, August1, through Friday, August 5 .
Students will be involved with the FUNdamentals of art, learning about line, shape, & textures while creating their own exciting compositions!
*Times for specific age groups are as follows:
Ages 5-7 years meet from 12:30pm to 2:00pm.
Ages 8-12 years meet from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.
FEES: $50./student for the week. Call 293-6660 today!
MMAA Catalogue update…
The Catalogue of the Permanent Collection has arrived! It includes a comprehensive listing of all the works owned by the Midwest Museum of American Art and their subsequent donor/collectors is available in the Museum Gift Shop for $15 .
Docent of the Year, VERNA BRINSON, was honored at the recent Annual Luncheon. She holds the plaque on which her name is engraved along with 14 other names who have received the honor in the part 24 years. Other retiring Docents honored at the luncheon include Barbara Peterson, Pat Bickart, and Virginia Chester. Retiring Docents not pictured (in our current newsletter) include Bill Petersen, Shirley Gold, Virginia Rueff, and Pat Warner. Anyone interested in becoming a Docent can contact museum staff at 293-6660.
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 include:
IN MEMORY OF
Jeanne Batten (by Helen M. Free, Gladys V. Louden, and Shirley Roti Roti)
Mary Ruth Brady (by Dr. William & Claire Luther, and George L. & Barbara Thomas)
Mary Eldridge (by Tom & Dot Corson)
Betty Markel (by Dr. William & Claire Luther)
Anna M. Kretschmer (by Byron Brady)
Donald Sellers (by Byron Brady)
Ted Sharp (by Dick & Ann Treckelo)
Dr. William Stubbins (by Jim, Liz, & Amy McLane)
John Vonder Heide (by Dr. William & Claire Luther)
In Honor of Allen Norris for Father’s Day (by Mary Sue & Phil McAlester)
In Honor of Rosemary Rush’s Birthday (by Jane Burns, and Brian & Lisa Byrn)
In Honor of Kathy Zienty’s Birthday (by Jane Burns, and Brian & Lisa Byrn)
In Honor of Dr. Rick Burns, Jr.’s Birthday (by Jane Burns, and Brian & Lisa Byrn)
In Honor of Dr.s Daniel & Linda Burns’ 10th Anniversary (by Jane Burns, and Brian & Lisa Byrn)
(DM)