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Shared Traditions
Museum of Art Presents Innovative Exhibition Project
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Febr uar y 24 thr ough September 13
n February 24 the Museum of Art opens Shared Traditions, an innovative exhibition that takes a fresh look at the permanent collection by combining fine and decorative arts in thought-provoking groupings. This novel approach to the Museum’s collections is the culmination of a year-long, National Endowment for the Arts grant-funded project for which Museum Education Director April Oswald is the organizing force. With Shared Traditions, the Museum collaborates with the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, Utica City School District Adult Learning Center ESL Program, and teaching artist Sylvia de Swaan. Adult students in ESL class meet at the Museum to build English language and art-making skills through gallery conversation Romare Bearden (American, 1914-88), Before and activities, as well as phothe Dark, 1971, collage on cardboard, 18 x 24 in., Museum purchase, 72.8. tography classes with de Swaan. The diverse artworks in Shared Traditions address universal themes of Place, Personal Adornment and Identity, and Ritual. In each category, historical and contemporary works of art in all media are juxtaposed to promote discussion about the students’ former and present lives, their homes, places of work and worship, and how they commemorate holidays and other special events. The students' own photographs, made under de Swaan’s direction, will be shown in the Shared Traditions galleries with a digital exhibition loop, as well. Shared Traditions is made possible by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works and M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund. The exhibition remains on view through September 13, 2015.
Robert Knight: In God's House In association with Shared Traditions the Museum of Art presents selections from the series In God’s House, by photographer Robert Knight, Assistant Professor in the Department of Art at Hamilton College. Knight's touching series examines the evolving nature of religious practices in Utica, and becomes by extension a history of our city, as well. Featured are images of the Bosnian Islamic Association Mosque, a North Utica Buddhist temple that was once a Christian church, the Tabernacle Baptist Church on Hopper Street that is home to a large Karen congregation, and the combined communities of Temple Emmanu-El and Temple Beth-El. In God's House is on view from February 24 through September 13, 2015.
Piano Genius Performs a Musical History in Concerts in the Court
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Satur day, Febr uar y 28 • 8 p.m.
ourney through the early days of jazz as The Concerts in the Court series presents the Marcus Roberts Trio 8 p.m. Saturday, February 28 in the Museum of Art Root Sculpture Court.
Symphony Orchestra, and the Savannah Music Festival. Tickets for this performance and all Concerts in “We call him the ‘genius of the modern piano’ because he is.” — Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center
The Marcus Roberts Trio is known for its virtuosic strongly rhythmic, melodic and dynamically contrasting style. Featuring bassist Rodney Jordan, drummer Jason Marsalis, and led by pianist Marcus Roberts, the trio takes the audience from Scott Joplin to Louis Armstrong. Roberts grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where his mother’s gospel singing and the music of the local church left a lasting impact on his musical style. He lost his sight at age five, and a few years later began to teach himself to play piano. Roberts’ deep respect for the contributions and achievements of the great masters of jazz and classical music has led to his highly innovative and original piano style and philosophy of jazz improvisation. Among the many competitions that Roberts has won and awards that he has received over the years, the one that is most personally meaningful to him is the Helen Keller Award for Personal Achievement (in 1998). He has been honored to receive many commissioning awards, including awards from Jazz at Lincoln Center, Chamber Music America, ASCAP, the North Carolina Association of Jazz Educators, the Atlanta
the Court are $37.50 for Members, $42.50 for General admission, and $22.50 for students. Flexible subscriptions are also available. The museum opens at 7 p.m. so patrons may view the current exhibitions, socialize and visit the Museum Shop. Concerts in the Court also feature a cash bar and special gallery talks at intermission. For tickets contact the Performing Arts Ticket Office at 797-0055 or 800-754-0797. Tickets are also available online at www.mwpai.org.
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