exploreart spring calendar

2012

ma rc h a pri l

exhibitions

FEATURED EXHIBITION

Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939 April 14–August 19 Galleries L13–L15 Discover the world’s fairs at the Nelson-Atkins! Nearly 200 objects illustrating the most engaging and forward-thinking innovations will come together for the first time. From a monumental 1850s Gothic Revival cabinet to a 1930s streamlined Art Deco glass chair, masterworks of jewelry and objects in every medium will delight audiences of all ages.

T FEATURED

EXHIBITION TICKETS Members: FREE Adults: $8

Major support for this exhibition was provided by Wells Fargo, the Windgate Charitable Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Seniors over 55: $7 Students 13–19 with ID: $5 Children 12 and under: FREE Groups of 10 or more (call ahead to reserve): $6 per person

The exhibition has been co-organized by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Art. In Kansas City the exhibition is supported by Helzberg Diamonds, Betty and Paul Henson and family, Belger Cartage Service, Inc., Richard and Jane Bruening, Alison Bartlett Jager and Eric Thor Jager, Sandy and Randy Rolf, Keith and Margie Weber Foundation and the Campbell-Calvin Fund and Elizabeth C. Bonner Charitable Trust for exhibitions.

National presenting sponsor

Presenting sponsor

MEMBER PREVIEW DAYS Timothy H. O’Sullivan Friday, April 6 | 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs See page 9 for more information.

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Call for tickets:

816.751.1ART

FREE EXHIBITIONS

Bill Viola, The Raft (detail), 2004. Color High-Definition video projection on wall (396.2 x 223 cm) in darkened space; 5.1ch surround sound. Performers: Sheryl Arenson, Robin Bonaccorsi, Rocky Capella, Cathy Chang, Liisa Cohen, Tad Coughenour, James Ford, Michael Irby, Simon Karimian, John Kim, Tanya Little, Mike Martinez, Petro Martirosian, Jeff Mosley, Gladys Peters, Maria Victoria, Kaye Wade, Kim Weild, Ellis Williams. 10:33 minutes. Photo: Kira Perov.

Bill Viola’s The Raft Through April 29 Gallery L8 The Raft is a profound, emotionally riveting video installation. A group of strangers experience unexpected disaster. Will they survive? Will they be transformed? This exhibition is supported by the Campbell-Calvin Fund and Elizabeth C. Bonner Charitable Trust for exhibitions and the Rheta A. Sosland Fund.

Timothy H. O’Sullivan, American (1842-1882). Camp at Shoshone Falls, Idaho, 1868. Albumen print. Gift of Hallmark Cards, Inc., 2005.27.3326.

Timothy H. O’Sullivan: The King Survey Photographs April 7–August 26 Gallery L11 Timothy H. O’Sullivan’s photographs for the King Survey are among the rarest and most iconic images of the frontier West. The range of these pictures is remarkable, from geological studies to self-reflective meditations on his own presence in a harsh and alien environment. This exhibition is supported by the Hall Family Foundation and the Campbell-Calvin Fund and Elizabeth C. Bonner Charitable Trust for exhibitions.

Rodin: Sculptures from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation Through June 3 Bloch Lobby More than 40 bronze sculptures reveal Rodin’s quest to express the vitality of the human spirit in all its nuances. Supported by The Donald J. Hall Initiative. Photo by Bob Greenspan.

The Photographs of Brett Weston

Ault on Paper

Through March 25 Gallery L11

Through April 29 Gallery 214

Brett Weston (1911–1993), son of famed photographer Edward Weston, exemplified the modernist aesthetic: in the details of everyday things, he combined fact and form, objective reality and abstraction.

Journey into George Ault’s world with this installation of a recent gift of watercolors and drawings offering a retrospective in miniature of the artist’s poetic vision and independent spirit.

This exhibition is supported by the Hall Family Foundation and the Campbell-Calvin Fund and Elizabeth C. Bonner Charitable Trust for exhibitions.

nelson-atkins.org

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TOURS Interactive Collection Tour Wed–Fri 1:30 p.m. Thurs/Fri 7 p.m. Sat 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. New times! Sun 2 p.m. New times! Meet at the Info Desk. Drop-in for a FREE guided tour and spend up to an hour looking at and discussing works in the collection.

Is your child’s school visiting the museum? Encourage them to schedule a tour or workshop online at nelson-atkins.org.

Tours for the Blind or Visually Impaired Wed–Sun 1 p.m. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Ages 12 and above Meet in Bloch Lobby Reservations required Call 816.751.1ART (1278) Visitors who are blind or visually impaired will be introduced to the collections in an hour-long tour. Tactile Tours limited to the first nine registrants, Descriptive Tours to 24, (includes sighted guides).

Saturday, March 17 Tactile Tour The Human Figure in Sculpture Gently touch realistic and abstract sculptures of the human figure using gloved hands. Saturday, April 21 Descriptive Tour Docents will vividly describe paintings and objects as they reveal the stories behind them.

Featured Exhibition Tours Exhibition ticket required

Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939

Peter Carl Fabergé, Russian (1846–1920). House of Fabergé, Russia (St. Petersburg), 1842–1918. Tiara, ca. 1900. Gold, platinum, and diamonds. Private collection.

Explore the world’s fairs with a museum guide! Strike up a lively conversation or enjoy a short presentation, given every 30 minutes. Thursday and Friday evenings, 6–9 p.m.; weekends, 1–4 p.m. Drop-in tours also available Wednesday-Friday at 1 p.m. Starting April 14th. Visit nelson-atkins.org to schedule a tour for six or more.

FAMILY PROGRAMS FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES Saturday, March 10 & Sunday, March 11 1–4 p.m. both days Gallery 228 | FREE Learn about the Holi festival, also known as the Festival of Colors, and create decorations to take home. Saturday, March 24 & Sunday, March 25 1–4 p.m. both days Gallery 218 | FREE Travel to beautiful spring break destinations without leaving the galleries as you see the sites with the help of our scavenger hunt.

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Saturday, April 14 & Sunday, April 15 1–4 p.m. both days Bloch Lobby | FREE Compare and contrast the Nelson-Atkins Building, which opened in 1933, and the famous Bloch Building. Get to know these two architectural treasures! Saturday, April 28 & Sunday, April 29 1–4 p.m. both days Gallery 205 | FREE Study the details of an elaborately decorated suit of Japanese armor and create a collage inspired by its symbols and textures.

SAVE THE DATE!

art

+ family

FUN

Sunday, May 13 1–4 p.m. Meet Me in Kansas City! Spend Mother’s Day at the Nelson-Atkins and enjoy performances and activities celebrating the fun of attending world’s fairs! This year’s celebration is themed around the featured exhibition Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939.

Suit of Armor (Gusoku), Japanese. Late 17th century. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 32-202/28 A-L.

calendar

MARCH MARCH

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Tour the Stowers Institute’s collection by international and local artists with curator Beth Lurey, followed by a networking reception in the Stowers’ library. Space is limited.

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Reservations

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Tickets For reservations and tickets, call 816.751.1ART (option 2).

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Members only

Programs are FREE, unless a price is listed. The discounted price for Museum members is listed first; the public price follows.

THURSDAY

Business Council Stowers Institute Art Tour 6–8 p.m. Stowers Institute for Medical Research 1000 E. 50th St., KCMO

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SATURDAY

Artist’s Presentation Alec Soth 1–2 p.m. Atkins Auditorium | T Internationally acclaimed photographer Alec Soth will discuss his photographs, which chronicle his travels throughout the United States. Book signing to follow. Sponsored by the Photography Society.

FRIDAY

Special Presentation The Caves of Dunhuang: Treasure Trove in the Chinese Gobi Desert 6–7 p.m. Atkins Auditorium T

Distinguished scholar of Chinese art, Mimi Gardner Gates will lead a journey to the Chinese Gobi Desert— 492 caves filled with treasures created between the 4th and 14th centuries.

Alec Soth, American (b. 1969). Mother and Daughter, 2005. Chromogenic print. Gift of the Hall Family Foundation, 2011.67.54. © 2005 Alec Soth

Ellen Lupton. Photo by Michelle Qureshi.

Kansas City Design Week Presentation The Big 10: Ellen Lupton Examines a Defining Decade in Graphic Design 3–5 p.m. Atkins Auditorium | T Free tickets available at kcdesignweek.org Ellen Lupton explores Graphic Design: Now in Production, an exhibition featuring works produced since 2000 on display at the Walker Art Center. Book signing to follow.

H&R Block Saturdays are made possible by H&R Block, Inc.

nelson-atkins.org

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MARCH Print Society Collecting Prints in Kansas City 6:30 p.m. | Lens 2 FREE/$10 R

Burton Dunbar talks about the high points of galleries, prints, collectors, the museum’s print collection and their intertwining relationship. eighth blackbird.

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SUNDAY

Performance eighth blackbird 2:30 p.m. Atkins Auditorium | T

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Curator’s Gallery Talk Impromptu Rodin 7 p.m. | Bloch Lobby

Join eighth blackbird, the Chicago-based, Grammy Award-winning sextet, for an exciting performance combining the finesse of a string quartet with the energy of a rock band. In partnership with UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance.

Curator Nicole Myers offers a 30-minute overview of Rodin: Sculptures from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, highlighting the life and art of Auguste Rodin in a dynamic way. The talk will repeat Sunday, April 1 at 2 p.m.

FRIDAY

Society of Fellows Gallery & Go Lunchtime Series 11:30 a.m., Curator talk Meet at Info Desk 12:15 p.m., Optional lunch, $15 Rozzelle Court Restaurant M R

Join curator Keith F. Davis on an exclusive tour of Brett Weston’s photographs to learn how he exemplified the modernist aesthetic, creating bold images from everyday things. Optional lunch to follow.

ROZZELLE COURT RESTAURANT Thursday, March 1, the museum’s new Executive Chef, Daniel White, launches a new lunchtime menu. Market-fresh salads, sandwiches and hot entrees along with four artisan soups will set the standard for a delicious lunch. Thursday, March 15 O’Happy Hour in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day 5–8 p.m. | Bloch Lobby | R Irish food, Irish beer & Irish whiskey make up the weekly Happy Hour theme. Friday, March 16 Dinner & Live Music St. Patrick’s Day Menu 5–10:30 p.m. | Rozzelle Court Celebrate America’s take on Irish culture with dinner in Kansas City’s Rozzelle Court Restaurant. Enjoy music, upscale Irish food, beer and spirits. Full bar available.

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Sunday, April 8 Easter Brunch Rozzelle Court Restaurant 11 a.m.–3 p.m. R | Reservations Required Kansas City Easter tradition combines elegant food with priceless art in a beautiful Italian-style courtyard. Live music accompanies the festivities. Full bar available. Make reservations early. $32 members/$36 adults $15 children 12 & under

Wednesday, April 25 Administrative Professionals Day A unique and celebratory location to express thanks and celebrate contributions of administrative professionals is lunch in Rozzelle Court Restaurant. Open Wed-Sun for lunch. Table service available with a service charge. Consider a quick tour of adjacent galleries. Reservations taken.

15% service charge added to total bill. For reservations, call 816.751.1ART (option 2). Members receive 10% discount.

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MARCH Charlotte Street Artists’ Walks Tom Gregg 6 & 7 p.m. Meet in Bloch Lobby

NOW ON VI E W Untitled by Subodh Gupta

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Join painter Tom Gregg as he explores the galleries and uses pieces from the museum’s collection to discuss inspiration for his own highly colorful, realistic still-life paintings. Note: All participants attend a brief presentation of the artist’s work in Lens 2. Young Friends of Art Second Friday O’Happy Hour 6–8 p.m. | Bloch Lobby Celebrate the luck o’ the Irish on a scavenger hunt of Irish works of art. Green signature cocktails will be available for purchase. Cash bar with special prices for members.

Gallery 203

Subodh Gupta, Indian. Untitled, 2010. Stainless steel utensils. Lent by Bill and Christy Gautreaux. Image courtesy the artist and Arario Gallery.

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THURSDAY

Know Your Museum Tour 11 a.m.–Noon & 1:30–2:30 p.m. Meet at Info Desk M R

Brett Weston, American (1911–1993) Building, Ivy, Tree, Sutton Place, New York, 1945. Gelatin silver print. Gift from the Christian K. Keesee Collection, 2007.53.6. © The Brett Weston Archive.

The star of the Indian contemporary art scene, Subodh Gupta uses everyday objects to explore social and spiritual themes. In this sculpture, kitchen utensils are transformed into an egglike form with mysterious results. Installed in traditional Asian galleries, this work demonstrates that Asian art is as vital today as it ever was.

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FRIDAY

The Curator is IN! Bill Viola’s The Raft: Tragedy and Transformation 7–8 p.m. | Gallery L8

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an Irish-themed tour, exploring works of art with Irish connections. Gather in Rozzelle Court Restaurant to continue discussions following either presentation.

Bill Viola’s The Raft is a profound, emotionally riveting video installation. Be part of a group as Leesa Fanning shares information about this powerful video. (See page 3.)

Meet Your Museum Tour 6:30–7 p.m., Cocktails 7–8 p.m., Tour Meet in Bloch Lobby

HAPPY HOUR @ Bloch Lobby

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The Friends of Art have been instrumental in securing extraordinary art for the NelsonAtkins collections. Gather in Bloch Lobby for a complimentary beverage before joining a museum guide to “Meet Your Museum” through the Friends of Art history tour.

5:30–8 p.m. | Thursdays Small plates, full bar, artful experience.

816.751.1ART

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MARCH

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TUESDAY

Author Event Susan Vreeland Discusses “Clara and Mr. Tiffany” 7–8 p.m. | Atkins Auditorium Admission Package: $15 plus tax Contact RainyDayBooks.com or 913.384.3126. Susan Vreeland explores the life of Clara Driscoll, designer of iconic Tiffany lamps who led a multi-national women’s department within Tiffany Studios. Admission package includes ticket, autographed copy of Clara and Mr. Tiffany and a guest ticket if requested. The museum is pleased to partner with Rainy Day Books for this program.

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THURSDAY

The Mary Atkins Series Tom Finkelpearl Can Art Really Leave the Ivory Tower? Thoughts on Public Art and Social Participation 6–7 p.m. Atkins Auditorium T $10/$15/$5 Students Tom Finkelpearl, Executive Director of the Queens Museum of Art, discusses social engagement with art.

Clara Driscoll, designer, American, 1861–1944. Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, manufacturer, United States (Corona, NY), 1892–1902. Lamp, ca. 1900. Leaded glass and bronze. 26 x 21 in. (66 x 53 cm). Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Gift of Arthur E. Braun, 76.46.

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FRIDAY

Conservatory Connections Singing to Statues 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. Gallery P3 Enjoy selections from Sidney Jones´s 1897 hit musical A Greek Slave, set in ancient Rome, with commentary by William Everett and performances from the vocal studio of Dale Morehouse.

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Special Presentation Why is Auguste Rodin the World’s Most Famous Sculptor? 6–7 p.m. Atkins Auditorium | T Noted Rodin scholar Ruth Butler asks this provocative question in a talk that explores the complex and dramatic history of the artist and his work.

MUSEUM STORE

Spring Fever Sale Returns! Thursday, March 22–Sunday, March 25 Unique home décor, jewelry, children’s items and books at substantially reduced prices. Join us adjacent to the Museum Store to select your bargains. Additional discounts do not apply.

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R Reservations

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THURSDAY

APRIL APRIL

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SUNDAY

Curator’s Gallery Talk Impromptu Rodin 2 p.m. Meet in Bloch Lobby See Thursday, March 8.

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WEDNESDAY

Print Society Tour of Belger Arts Center 6:30 p.m. 2100 Walnut Street, KCMO FREE/$10 R

Print Society members tour the Belger Arts Center office to see firsthand and discuss the art in their work spaces.

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THURSDAY

Society of Fellows and Business Council World’s Fairs Exhibition Preview Day 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Exhibition Viewing Galleries L13–L15 Society of Fellows Annual Dinner 6–6:30 p.m. Cocktails, Remarks 7–9:30 p.m. Exhibition Viewing, Dinner M R | $150 Society of Fellows members are invited for a marvelous evening of celebration. This memorable event includes cocktails, remarks by special guest Thomas P. Campbell, Director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, dinner and a sneak preview of the featured exhibition Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939.

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THURSDAY

Caring for Collections 6–7 p.m. Atkins Auditorium T

Julián sits down with Elisabeth Batchelor to sample the state-of-the-art techniques of preserving and caring for the museum’s collections for now, tomorrow and (almost) forever.

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FRIDAY

Friends of Art World’s Fairs Exhibition Preview Day 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Exhibition Viewing Galleries L13–L15 Friends of Art Opening Celebration 7–9 p.m. Reception, Kirkwood Hall M T

Members are the FIRST to see our much-anticipated featured exhibition Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939. Join the Friends of Art for a celebratory preview and cocktail reception.

Thomas P. Campbell.

Friends of Art World’s Fairs Exhibition VIP Party 6–8 p.m., South Lawn Exhibition Viewing Galleries L13–L15 M T

Friends of Art members at the Enhanced Art Experience level ($150+) will enjoy a VIP party. Experience the world’s fair of Paris 1900 with French-themed food and entertainment, hosted by the Friends of Art Council. Young Friends of Art Second Friday Happy Hour 6–8 p.m. | Lens 2 Have you seen the future? Join the Young Friends of Art and welcome the featured exhibition Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939. Enjoy fair food and a cash bar with special prices for members.

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SATURDAY

Curators’ Exhibition Presentation Inventing the Exhibition: Innovation, Decorative Arts and World’s Fairs 2–3 p.m. Atkins Auditorium | T Join Nelson-Atkins curator Catherine Futter and Jason Busch of Carnegie Museum of Art as they discuss developing the extraordinary exhibition of 200 works of incomparable beauty and technical innovation, Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851-1939.

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THURSDAY

Know Your Museum Tour 11 a.m.–Noon & 1:30–2:30 p.m. Info Desk | M R Join us for a docent-led tour of bronze sculptures by Rodin, one of the most influential sculptors of the 19th century, and related works in the permanent collection. Following the tour, you are welcome to gather in Rozzelle Court Restaurant and continue learning with others from the group. Meet Your Museum Tour 6:30–7 p.m., Cocktails 7–8 p.m., Tour Bloch Lobby M T

The Friends of Art have a long and meaningful connection to many of the Nelson-Atkins’ masterpieces. Gather in Bloch Lobby for a complimentary beverage from 6:30–7 p.m. before joining a museum guide to “Meet Your Museum” through the Friends of Art history tour.

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Reserve online:

FRIDAY

The Curator is IN! Masterworks of Southwest Jewelry 7–8 p.m. Gallery 207 Curator Gaylord Torrence offers insight in the beautiful, wearable tradition of Southwest Indian silver and turquoise and invites dialogue about the stunning examples on view in the galleries.

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Vinson Cole.

SATURDAY

The Mary Atkins Series The Kansas City Chorale’s Spring Concert 5:30–6:30 p.m. Kirkwood Hall T $10/$15/$5 Students Celebrate spring with Kansas City’s musical pride and joy! The Chorale’s annual spring concert is an auditory delight, and concludes the Mary Atkins Series on a high note.

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FRIDAY

Conservatory Connections An Evening with Vinson Cole 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. Sculpture Hall Featuring world-renewed tenor Vinson Cole, Conservatory Connections will close its 2011–12 season tying into themes of both old and new with music by Haydn, Beethoven, Kandor and K. Oldham.

SUNDAY

The Annual Murphy Lecture Michael Brenson presents David Smith and the Challenges of Biography 2:30–3:30 p.m. Atkins Auditorium | T What is the relationship between a book and a life? Between scholarly diligence and the flow of the written word? Between “the personal” and aesthetic experience? Art critic and art historian Michael Brenson discusses the process of writing a biography of America’s greatest sculptor, David Smith. The Murphy Lecture honors Dr. Franklin D. Murphy, Chancellor of the University of Kansas from 1951 to 1959, and is offered in partnership with the Spencer Museum of Art and the Kress Foundation Department of Art History, University of Kansas.

nelson-atkins.org

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SATURDAY

Panel Discussion Picturing the West: Timothy H. O’Sullivan’s King Survey Photographs 1:30–3:30 p.m. Atkins Auditorium | T Join us for a lively discussion of Timothy H. O’Sullivan, the pioneering Western photographer, and the government survey which employed him from 1867 to 1872. Speakers will include curators Keith F. Davis and Jane L. Aspinwall, John P. Herron, Associate Professor of History, UMKC and Mark Klett, Regents’ Professor of Art, Arizona State University, Tempe.

enrollment required for all classes

studio classes & workshops

The Ford Learning Center has been made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund.

SPRING SESSION OF STUDIO CLASSES FOR AGES 3–ADULT The world-class collection at the Nelson-Atkins is the inspiration for our studio programs. Direct experience with art in the galleries provides students with a foundation for art making in the Ford Learning Center classrooms, creating a unique learning environment for children and adults unlike any other in Kansas City!

ENROLLMENT Enroll today online (nelson-atkins.org/calendar), or by phone 816.751.1ART (1278), option 2. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit/debit card payment required. In order to enroll, we require the following information: student’s name, address, date of birth, home phone, emergency phone and the parent/guardian name. Students must have turned the minimum age by the start date of a class to enroll in the class. Enroll early—class size is limited. Enrollment deadline is three days prior to a class or workshop. Classes that do not reach a minimum enrollment will be cancelled and fees refunded.

COST Museum members receive a 20% discount on all classes. The discounted member price is listed first; the public price follows. Class fee includes all materials. Parking for members is FREE; nonmembers parking for more than 30 minutes, either to attend class or wait while their student is in class, will pay $5 per vehicle.

CANCELLATIONS Students can cancel an enrollment five business days prior to a class or workshop to receive a refund, less a $15 cancellation fee per enrollment. NO REFUNDS will be issued for cancellations made less than five business days prior. We do not issue credits toward future class sessions. A $10 transfer fee will be incurred on a per student/per class basis if student transfers an enrollment from one class to another. No transfers will be made less than five business days prior to a class or workshop.

816.751.1ART

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STUDIO CLASSES & WORKSHOPS DRAWING & PAINTING 10 a.m.–Noon (Ages 7–9) 1:30–3:30 p.m. (Ages 9–13) Saturdays, March 31–May 19 $120/$150 Work with graphite, charcoal, watercolor, ink, tempera paint and more to explore the fundamentals of drawing and painting. Students will draw from art in the galleries and lessons will focus on learning about line, color, space, expression and composition. THINK 3-D: SCULPTURE 10 a.m.–Noon (Ages 9–13) 1:30–3:30 p.m. (Ages 7–9) Saturdays, March 31–May 19 $120/$150

START IN ART Ages 3–4 10–11:30 a.m. Fridays, March 30–May 18 or Saturdays, March 31–May 19 $108/$135 Nurture a child’s creativity! Young children explore art concepts by working with paint, collage and clay. Visits to the galleries contain ageappropriate activities that allow students to see and talk about art as a group. Students should feel comfortable without a parent or guardian.

CREATIVE CONNECTIONS Ages 5–6 10 a.m.–Noon 1:30–3:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 31–May 19 $120/$150 Children expand upon their experiences in painting, collage and 3-D processes as they work with a wider range of materials. Seeing and talking about art in the collection builds perception skills and increases art vocabulary. Students should feel comfortable without a parent or guardian. TELLING TALES Ages 6–8 10 a.m.–Noon 1:30–3:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 31–May 19 $120/$150 Create drawings, paintings, prints and more inspired by traditional folktales, ancient mythologies and fantastic stories from around the world, including India, China, Greece and America.

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Reserve online:

nelson-atkins.org

Practice both additive and subtractive sculpture processes while working with clay, wire, fabric, wood, metal and found objects. Explore balance, form, stability, weight, gravity and motion by looking at sculpture in the galleries, including the powerful works of Auguste Rodin. MAKE IT MODERN Ages 12–16 1:30–3:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 31–May 19 $120/$150 Discover how modern and contemporary artists “broke the rules” to develop their own personal vision of art. Work with a variety of drawing, painting and printmaking processes to express your own imaginative ideas in a variety of media.

E Enrollment required for all classes. Members save 20%!

STUDIO CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

FRIDAY NIGHT F U N BRUSHWORK IN BLOOM Ages 7–12 with adult 6:30–8:30 p.m. Friday, May 11 $32/$40 per adult-child pair Instructor: Valda Hsu It’s time to think spring! Experiment with using ink washes and bamboo brushes to paint flowers found in traditional Chinese brushwork painting.

SHOW YOUR EMOTIONS Ages 7–12 with adult 6:30–8:30 p.m. Friday, March 30 $32/$40 per adult-child pair

THE SURREAL SELF Ages 6–12 with adult 6:30–8:30 p.m. Friday, April 20 $32/$40 per adult-child pair

Discover how faces in sculpture can portray a variety of emotions. Look at sculpture by Rodin and other artists and create an expressive face in clay. Participants will glaze and leave their work to be fired. Finished pieces will be available for pick-up beginning April 13.

Talk about Surrealism, art inspired by dreams and the unconscious mind, and create a unique self-portrait made up of unusual and unexpected parts.

SUMMER CLASSES at the NELSON-ATKINS The Nelson-Atkins is your passport to the world this summer! The featured exhibition, Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939 will be the focus for many of our classes. Museum members will receive a special brochure of summer classes in early March. Class and enrollment information will be available at nelson-atkins.org.

816.751.1ART

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STUDIO CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

ADULT STUDIO CLASSES & WORKSHOPS FLYING BRUSH, DANCING INK 1:30–4 p.m. | Saturdays, March 31–May 5 $96/$120 Instructor: Valda Hsu Chinese calligraphy and brush painting have been allied arts since the days of their common origin. The phrase “brush flying and ink dancing” is the expression of the two at their finest achievement. Explore the techniques of both art forms and then combine writing and painting into a completed work. DRAWING FROM THE FIGURE 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Thursdays, March 29–May 17 $128/$160 Instructor: Tara Tonsor Explore drawing the human figure using sculptures in the galleries as well as a clothed model. Both traditional and experimental approaches will be included as aspects of drawing such as line, gesture, expression and proportion are investigated. Students should have previous drawing experience. PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE 1–4 p.m. | Fridays, March 30–April 20 $80/$100 How do you depict distance on the flat surface of a drawing? Learn about or further develop your skills at applying the principles of perspective. Both linear and atmospheric perspective will be explored and visits to the galleries will examine how artists have used these techniques to create the illusion of space.

E Enrollment required for all classes. Members save 20%!

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Reserve online:

nelson-atkins.org

DRAWING: JUST THE BASICS 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 31–May 19 $128/$160 Want to learn about the very basics of drawing? This class will focus on foundations such as contour line, shading techniques, use of lights and darks and how to represent distance. This class is designed for students with minimal to no previous drawing experience. WATERCOLOR BY DESIGN 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 31–May 19 $128/$160 Instructor: Christine Webster Practice working with traditional and experimental watercolor techniques, with inspiration from museum collections. Class will cover principles of design such as balance, rhythm, emphasis, unity and proportion, as well as color theory. BOOK OF NATURE 1–4 p.m. | Fridays, April 27–May 18 $80/$100 Celebrate the arrival of spring! Combine basic poetry exercises, such as haiku, with visual inspiration gathered while looking at art related to the natural world. Verses, drawn images and mixed media will be creatively combined into a unique, handmade book.

exploreart GENERAL MUSEUM INFORMATION ADMISSION to the museum is FREE every day for everyone.

S TAY CONNECTED Facebook Twitter Flickr YouTube @ Sign up for our e-newsletter Courtesy of Greg Epkes.

MUSEUM HOURS Mon

Closed

Tue Closed Wed

10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Thurs/Fri

10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Sat

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sun

Noon–5 p.m.

LOCATION & PARKING The museum is located at 45th and Oak streets, three blocks east of the Country Club Plaza. Enter the garage off Oak Street. Parking is $5, FREE for members. VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES The museum and parking garage are wheelchair accessible. SPENCER ART REFERENCE LIBRARY Open to the public. Mon Closed Tue By Appointment Wed 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thurs/Fri 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat/Sun 1–4 p.m.

Frontier Airlines is the official airline of the museum.

ROZZELLE COURT RESTAURANT A Kansas City treasure, our Italian-style courtyard is an unparalleled setting. Lunch Wed–Sat, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Brunch Sun, Noon–3 p.m. Served Dinner & Live Music Fri, 5–10:30 p.m. Desserts & Beverages Wed–Sun, 2–4 p.m. MUSEUM STORE Shop for books, cards, children’s items and a large variety of gifts, jewelry and home décor. Tax free. Members save 10%. Online store nelson-atkins.org/shop. MEMBERSHIP Enjoy FREE parking, FREE featured exhibition tickets, discounts in Rozzelle Court Restaurant and the Museum Store and special events just for members.

To become a member of the Nelson-Atkins, for tickets to events, to enroll in classes, or to ask questions about the museum, call 816.751.1ART (1278).

MARCH/APRIL 2012 FEATURED CURATORS, SPEAKERS AND STAFF Jane L. Aspinwall Assistant Curator, Photography Elisabeth Batchelor Director of Conservation and Collections Management Jason Busch Chief Curator and The Alan G. and Jane A. Lehman Curator of Decorative Arts and Design Ruth Butler Professor Emerita of Art, University of Massachusetts, Boston Keith F. Davis Senior Curator, Photography Burton Dunbar Professor of Art History, UMKC William Everett Professor of Musicology, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Leesa Fanning Associate Curator, Modern & Contemporary Art Catherine Futter The Helen Jane and R. Hugh “Pat” Uhlmann Curator of Decorative Arts Mimi Gardner Gates Director Emerita, Seattle Art Museum Beth Lurey Curator, Prints Curator, Stowers Institute Collection Dale Morehouse Associate Professor of Voice-Opera, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Nicole Myers Associate Curator, European Painting and Sculpture Gaylord Torrence Fred and Virginia Merrill Senior Curator of American Indian Art Julián Zugazagoitia Director & CEO

PHOTOGRAPHY Bob Greenspan (page 9) Mark McDonald (pages 13) Shirley Harryman (page 13)

816.751.1ART

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Elkington & Co., England (Birmingham), 1829–1963. Vase, ca. 1875. Enameled and gilded brass. Purchase: the Lillian M. Diveley Fund, 2006.36.1-2.

Our evening of celebration will feature Thomas Campbell of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Join us for a sneak preview of the featured exhibition Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939, cocktails and dinner. See page 9.

Thursday, April 12 Society of Fellows Annual Dinner

Join curator Keith Davis on an exclusive tour of Brett Weston’s photography. See page 6.

Wednesday, March 9 Society of Fellows Gallery and Go Lunchtime Series

The museum’s premier membership group offers vital support to the Nelson-Atkins. Fellows will enjoy these special events in March and April. Contact bwinetroub@nelson-atkins.org for membership opportunities.

SOCIET Y of FELLOWS I SEEN HAVE E TH E FUTUR

4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111

World’s fair pavilion coming in April.

The excitement is building …right on our south lawn!