COMPLIMENTARY COPY
Speaker’s House To Honor Scott Stephenson Fundraiser Gala Will Be Held On April 28
FRIDAY APRIL 5, 2019 • VOL. 50, NO. 14
Profound Beauty Comes “Out Of The Woodwork” With “Nakashima Looks: Studio Furniture At The Michener” Michener Art Museum Pays Tribute To Its Arts And Crafts Roots In Collaboration With Guest Curator Mira Nakashima-Yarnall
The Speaker’s House, home of Frederick Muhlenberg, first Speaker of the U.S. House, will host a fundraiser gala on Sunday, April 28, including a special presentation of the Speaker’s Choice Award to Scott Stephenson, president and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Since 2007, Stephenson has led the development of the museum’s award-winning exhibitions, multimedia experiences, and educational programming, as well as overseeing the care and expansion of its rich collection of art and artifacts. He was named president and CEO in November 2018. Stephenson holds a B.A. from Juniata College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in American History from the University of Virginia. Established in 2008, the Speaker’s Choice Award recognizes individuals who embody the leadership qualities of Frederick Muhlenberg and who have made
AAN Current News Scott Stephenson is president and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. distinguished contributions to the local community, particularly in arts, culture, or historic preservation. Previous recipients include Pennsylvania Sen. Andy Dinniman, artist Julie Longacre, philanthropist Leslie Anne Miller, and Chef Walter Staib. The Party for Preservation gala is held at the Barn on Bridge, a renovated historic bank barn located
Unique Photos To Be Sold April 13
The Michener Art Museum proudly presents “Nakashima Looks: Studio Furniture at the Michener,” an unprecedented collection of modern and contemporary craft furniture curated by renowned artist Mira NakashimaYarnall. Rooted in its deep commitment to George Nakashima’s legacy, the museum collaborates with his daughter, Mira, to pay homage to Bucks County’s rich history of the studio craft movement and the many artisans from the region. Encompassing more than 20 objects, the show includes works from the Michener’s permanent collection by artists such as Paul Evans (1931–87), Jack Larimore (b. 1950), Mark Sfirri (b. 1952) and Robert Whitley (b. 1924), along with loans by Harry Bertoia (1915–78), Wharton Esherick (1887–1970), Sam Maloof (1916–2009) and both generations of the Nakashima family. Astutely aware that the woodworking field has been comprised mostly of men, Mira also felt it important to include work by Noémi Raymond in the exhibition. “Nakashima Looks” includes three works by Wharton Esherick,
founder of the American Studio Furniture movement, representing his idea of wooden furniture as sculpture. Developing independently, George Nakashima focused on architecture-based furniture and used the natural shape of the wood to dictate form, especially highlighted in the “Music Stand” (1985), one of his four works on display. While both influences spread, many of these woodworking craftsmen now being showcased together were reacting against factorymade furniture being produced at the time, often blurring the line between functional furniture and sculpture. However, a few of them eventually worked with Hans and Florence Knoll, selling design rights and helping to shape the future of furniture design in the 20th century. “Founding Michener executive director Bruce Katsiff had the foresight to partner with Mira Nakashima-Yarnall to create the Nakashima Reading Room,” said Dr. Kathleen V. Jameson, the museum’s current executive director. “And now, it is my great privilege to work with Mira on this special exhibition. I was delighted she agreed to help us review our studio craft holdings, establish a roadmap for growth, and renew our commitment to this critically important art. It has been wonderful to work closely with Mira Continued on page 7
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Hess Auctions To Sell Rare Tombstone, Ariz., Photographs “I poke my way through the valley of fallen giants, finding here and there fragments which will be given a second life,” George Nakashima, “The Soul of a Tree.”
Glenn Miller’s Advertising Sale Delivers
In December of 1883, an Arizona dance hall owner named John Heath rode with a posse in pursuit of five outlaws whose robbery-gonewrong had resulted in the death of three men and a pregnant woman. But when the posse lost the trail, there was suspicion that Heath himself had been purposely leading them astray. The five robbers were eventually captured and confessed that Heath was in on the plot. These are Apache scouts near Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Those five were legally hanged. Heath met a different fate—he was photographed prominent citizens sentenced to life in prison, but the while photographing numerous townspeople of Tombstone, Ariz., area events. During the famous were so enraged by the heinous gunfight at the O.K. Corral, it is murders, a group abducted him believed Fly disarmed the dying Billy Clanton. Fly was also present from jail and publicly hanged him. To document this and other at the surrender meeting between events was the enterprising pho- Geronimo and General Crook, tographer Camillus S. Fly. Along producing a series of historic with his wife, Mollie, Fly left San images chronicling the event. On Saturday, April 13, Hess Francisco in 1879 for Tombstone, where he established a gallery and Continued on page 2
Spring Thaw Brewery Collectibles Show Tapped For April 6 on page 4
Witman Sells Hit-N-Miss Engines And Abner Zook Diorama on page 6
Keystone Auctions To Conduct Sealed Bid Sale Closing April 8 on page 15
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 5 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 8 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 8
FEATURED AUCTION: Kleinfelter’s Auction - April 11 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania - Page 4
AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . . on page 9 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 19