A Second Century of Art and Inspiration
January February March 2021
Planned Giving
The Heckscher Museum is a home for the celebration of life-long learning, creative ideas, and the sharing of experiences. Through a will or estate plan, you can provide an enduring legacy that will live on to benefit generations to come. For many, a charitable bequest is a unique expression of appreciation for what an organization brings to their lives and to the lives of others. Individuals who have thoughtfully included The Heckscher Museum in their will have helped enhance exhibitions, education programs, and services. Remember: A planned gift can be designated for any amount. All inquiries are confidential and without obligation. Please contact Deborah Johnson, Deputy Director & Director of Development, at Johnson@Heckscher.org or call 631.380.3229. Written inquires can be mailed to The Heckscher Museum, 2 Prime Avenue, Huntington, NY 11743.
Left, Sophie Fischetti, Laundry Day, 2020 Long Island's Best. A bequest from Norris Darrell, Jr., established the Darrell Fund Endowment to help sustain the grades 9-12 Long Island’s Best annual education program and student exhibition. Above, Arthur G. Dove, Untitled (detail), 1941. Watercolor on paper. Bequest of Mary Torr Rehm. Arthur Dove and his wife, Helen Torr, spent the majority of their lives living and making art in the Huntington area.
“The Heckscher Museum opens new worlds and possibilities. It has influenced my life, and that of so many others.” PHILLIP GLADKOV, an alumni of the Museum’s Long Island’s Best program, and a graduate of Walt Whitman High School, South Huntington, and The Tisch School, NYU.
We gratefully recognize those who provided for the Museum’s future through monetary bequests or works of art that enhance the collection and its interpretive potential. Bequests have been received from: Ernst Basch Lachlan P. Braden Miner D. Crary, Jr. Norris Darrell, Jr.
John Nicholas Estabrook & Dorothy Coogan Estabrook Carolyn Fostel Agnes Trill Funk
Dr. Mary B. Holt Elisabeth S. Livingston Mary Torr Rehm Marion Wiethorn
BEGINNING 2021 WITH OPTIMISM AND PURPOSE Dear Friends, Happy New Year! We begin 2021 with renewed optimism, continuing to celebrate everything The Heckscher Museum of Art has to offer. The ability to adapt and innovate defined the past year, and those experiences have shaped new ways of thinking and meeting the needs and interests of the Museum’s many constituencies. In an unprecedented year, the Museum connected members and visitors with fabulous online programs
and engaged students and teachers in “virtual” field trips while continuing to lead as an advocate for the arts. The credit for these achievements belongs to the Museum’s staff, supported by the generosity of our members, donors and sponsors. Join us as we begin our second century as a vibrant and thriving Museum!
THE HECKSCHER MUSEUM OF ART STAFF Administration John E. Coraor, Ph.D. Interim Director Doug Cohen Director of Finance Jess Cox Executive Assistant/ Office Manager/ Website Coordinator Curatorial Karli Wurzelbacher, Ph.D. Curator Kerrilyn Blee Assistant Curator Christine Marzano Registrar
Robin T. Hadley
Education and Public Programs
Chair Board of Trustees
Joy Weiner Director of Education and Public Programs Kristina Schaaf Director of Visitor Experience Lisa Sayedi Lead Museum Educator Alyssa Matthews Museum Educator Helen Potter Visitor Services Coordinator Development Deborah Johnson Deputy Director & Director of Development Caitlynn Schare Development Manager Jill Rowen Public Relations/Marketing Michelle Yadoo Marketing and Design Assistant Building Services Kenneth Moss Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Senior Guards Tony Damian Jose R. Hernandez Jason Lenox Guards Laura Gasparik Kathleen Zazzzaro
Top, Visitors enjoy the Long Island Biennial. Above,Virtual Family Hour fun. Cover art: Wood Gaylor, Arts Ball, 1918. Oil on canvas. Private Collection.
Exhibitions
WOOD GAYLOR AND AMERICAN MODERNISM JANUARY 23 TO MAY 23
Wood Gaylor, Picnic, Shaker Lake, Alfred, Maine, 1923, Oil on canvas in hand-carved frame by Robert Laurent, Courtesy of Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts, LLC, New York.
Scenes of festive revelers, clowns and performers -- and his fellow artists -- are the signature subject matter of Wood Gaylor’s raucous paintings. In 1916, Gaylor (1883-1957) joined Walt Kuhn and other prominent modern artists in New York City to form The Penguin group. This irreverent association put on exhibitions, held weekly sketching sessions with nude models, and mounted fantastic Arts Balls, complete with costumes, comical skits, musicians, and papier-mâché props. Gaylor captured these spirited events in paintings featuring brightly-colored, flat, outlined figures in grand spaces. Wood Gaylor and American Modernism includes two dozen artworks by Gaylor, including paintings from the Smith College Museum of Art, the Ogunquit Museum of
American Art, the Portland Museum of Art in Maine, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. These loans are interspersed with paintings, sculptures, and drawings from The Heckscher Museum’s collection by artists in Gaylor’s social and artistic circles. Throughout the 1920s, Gaylor spent summers in Ogunquit, Maine, where he and other artists became some of the first collectors of American folk art. The flattening and distortion in early American painting provided affirmation for Gaylor’s faux-naïve style. The personal relationships Gaylor developed in Maine were among the most significant of his life, including his marriage to fellow artist Adelaide Lawson, whose work is also be on view. Gaylor continued to depict grand events of the New York art world throughout the 1920s and into the mid-1930s, when he and his
family relocated to Glenwood Landing on Long Island. They held exhibitions and art classes in their barn and yard. "The Heckscher Museum's strength in modern American art makes it fitting that we take part in bringing the first scholarly museum exhibition of Gaylor's work to our audiences,” said Karli Wurzelbacher, Curator. “Our collection of artworks by Gaylor's peers, many of whom are portrayed in his paintings, enriches our presentation of the show. I'm excited to spend the next few months with these vibrant, joyful, social scenes on view in our galleries." This exhibition is organized by the Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont. The Heckscher Museum is grateful to Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts, LLC, for the generous support of this exhibition and the accompanying catalogue.
CONNIE FOX: THE SAMMY’S BEACH SERIES JANUARY 16 TO APRIL 11
The Heckscher Museum’s exhibition Connie Fox: The Sammy’s Beach Series is the first comprehensive presentation of this exciting body of work to take place on Long Island. The exhibition brings together a dozen abstract paintings and a group of related drawings in charcoal, ink, and acrylic on paper that Fox created in response to Sammy’s Beach. Fox began visiting the tidal bay beach, located between Gardiner’s Bay and Three Mile Harbor, soon after moving to Long Island in the late 1970s. Over a period of thirty years, she frequented the beach to walk, sit, swim, and look. Created between 2007 and 2014, the series is a remarkable recent achievement by an artist whose work spans seven decades. Connie Fox: The Sammy’s Beach Series explores the connection between Fox’s abstractions and her experiences of the beach, and considers the shifting vocabulary of shapes, lines, colors, and textures that unites the varied series. “The most significant thing I did at Sammy’s was to just be there. I walked, sat, looked. Most importantly, I swam,” Fox says. “Why is it so important? Hard to say, but it has to do with getting ‘carried away’ by physical energy that gives me back more than I put into it.” Born in Fowler, Colorado, in 1925, Fox earned an M.F.A. from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where she met artist Elaine de Kooning (19181989). She counted de Kooning as a mentor and sometime companion to Sammy’s Beach. After relocating to East Hampton, Fox married sculptor William King (1925-2015).
Top, Connie Fox, Sammy’s Beach II, 2009, Acrylic on canvas, Collection of Daura Museum of Art, University of Lynchburg. Bottom, Connie Fox, Sammy’s Beach VI, 2009, Acrylic on canvas, Collection of Connie Fox.
News
ADOPT A WORK OF ART: ALICE ROHAN, LA CONJURATION DES ANTILOPES Judith Bernhang, a long-time Museum donor and former Trustee, generously contributed funds to The Heckscher Museum’s Adopt a Work of Art Program to conserve Alice Rahon’s La Conjuration des Antilopes. Judy commented, “I was not very familiar with her work, but that’s the wonderful thing about art, I am always learning about fascinating art and artists.” La Conjuration des Antilopes (1943) reflects Alice Rahon’s fascination with prehistoric and non-Western art. In the 1930s, Rahon was active in the international Surrealist circle in Paris, and traveled the world with her fellow artists. In 1933, she visited the prehistoric cave paintings at Altamira, Spain, which influenced the subject matter and composition of this painting.
Alice Rahon, La Conjuration des Antilopes, 1943, Oil on canvas, Gift of Mr. Alexander Liberman. Conserved in 2020 through the Adopt a Work of Art Program with funds donated by Judith Bernhang.
The Adopt a Work donation helped clean the entire surface of the painting thereby removing layers of dust and grime which muted the impact of the colors. The canvas has been stabilized and has a new backing to prevent future damage.
"La Conjuration des Antilopes was gifted to the Museum in 1980 by Alexander Liberman, a former art director of Condé Nast magazines, who acquired the painting directly from the artist. Because of its fragile condition, this important early Rahon painting had never been exhibited at the Museum. The shades of purple, pink, and blue, and the delicate white dots of impasto, now appear as the artist intended,” said Karli Wuzelbacher, Curator. “We thank Judy for allowing this treasure to be seen and enjoyed by the public.” The painting will be on view for the first time in the exhibition The Heckscher Museum Celebrates 100.
ADOPT A WORK OF ART Help conserve wonderful works of art for future generations! Learn more at heckscher.org/adopt-a-work-of-art-today/ or call Deborah Johnson at 631-380-3229.
A DONATION IN HONOR OF THE MUSEUM’S CENTENNIAL YEAR The Museum has acquired Samuel Colman’s Venice through a donation by Dr. Carol Forman Tabler in honor of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander A. Forman III. "This is a remarkable centennial-year gift from Dr. Tabler, an art historian and longstanding supporter of the Museum who knows our collection well. This luminous pastel complements the concentration of Venetian scenes that the Heckschers gave to the Museum at its founding,” said Karli Wurzelbacher, Curator.
Samuel Colman, Venice, not dated, Pastel on paper, Gift of Dr. Carol Forman Tabler in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander A. Forman III.
Samuel Colman (1832-1920) was an American landscape and marine painter whose subjects reflect his travels throughout Europe. He studied with the Hudson River School painter Asher B. Durand and, like many of the Hudson River School artists, traveled to Europe to further his artistic education.
Programs
FOR PROGRAM REGISTRATION AND UPDATES FOR ALL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS GO TO HECKSCHER.ORG
VIRTUAL FAMILY HOUR SUNDAYS
GUIDED ZOOM TOUR AND ACTIVITIES JANUARY 24 | FEBRUARY 28 MARCH 21 1 TO 2 PM Children ages 5 to 10 Educator Tami Wood leads this familyfriendly Zoom event. Once registered, a materials list and Zoom login information will be emailed. Activity Fee: $5 per child for Members; $10 per child for non-members. Advance registration and payment required. Heckscher.org/visit/kids-families/ family-hour-sundays/
FOR MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS AND DONORS DAY JANUARY 23, 12 TO 5 PM Museum Members and Donors are invited to visit Connie Fox: The Sammy’s Beach Series and Wood Gaylor and American Modernism during exclusive visiting hours. Advance registration is required. Members and Donors will receive the link to register. WOOD GAYLOR MEMBERS AND DONORS VIRTUAL EVENT FEBRUARY 9, 5:30 TO 6:15 PM Join Heckscher Museum Curator Karli Wurzelbacher and Fleming Museum of Art Curator Andrea Rosen on Zoom for an exclusive program. The two will discuss the art of Wood Gaylor, his connections to artists including Florine Stettheimer and his life on Long Island. You must be a current Member or Donor to register. Advance registration is required. The Zoom link and password for this free virtual event will be provided upon registration. Contact Caitlynn Schare at schare@Heckscher.org or 631.380.3229 ext. 710 to register, check your membership or join/renew.
LONG ISLAND BIENNIAL
ARTISTS IN THE GALLERY: FRIDAY, JANUARY 8 3:15 TO 5 PM Nancy Metz, David Almeida, Claire Watson Book your visit at Heckscher.org
EMERGING ARTISTS SERIES
Artists take over the Museum’s Instagram account! Follow us @HeckscherMuseum FEBRUARY 10: Roz Dimon FEBRUARY 24: Gabriel Cruz MARCH 10: Kiki Jia Qi Zhen MARCH 24: Emily Martin
ART KITS & ACTIVITIES Safe Family Activity Guides are back in the Museum! Young visitors can explore and learn about current exhibitions. Speciallypacked kits for our reimagined WinterFest event will be available on dates listed below.
WINTERFEST KITS FOR SNOWY DAYS JANUARY 3: Snowcreature Party JANUARY 17: Symmetry Snowflakes JAUNARY 31: Frozen Landscape Free with admission. Go to Heckscher.org to register.
HECKSCHER@HOME KIDS EDITION
FEBRUARY 6: “The Snowy Day” A special Heckscher@Home Kids Edition celebrating Black History Month. Read the book by Ezra Jack Keats with Museum Educator Lisa Sayedi and create a winter-themed collage. Fun art projects premiere monthly on our YouTube channel and website. All Kids Edition projects are available on Heckscher.org/ education/ heckscher-at-home-kids-edition/
HEARTS FOR ART
FEBRUARY 11 TO 14 Spread the love for art this Valentine’s Day. Find a work of art you love and post your pick on social media with #heartsforart. All visitors will receive a Hearts for Art Kit upon check-in.
Roz Dimon, La vida en tiempos de covid; 2020, digital painting output to chrome light box. Emerging Artist 2021
DOCENT TOURS
Join us for Docent-lead tours of current exhibitions. Groups must be a maximum of 10 people. Advance registration and payment is required. $10 per person, paid in advance. Registration links below. JANUARY 31 11 TO 11:45 AM Docent Tour of Wood Gaylor and American Modernism. Heckscher.org/GaylorTourJanuary FEBRUARY 21 11 TO 11:45 AM Docent Tour of Connie Fox: The Sammy’s Beach Series. Heckscher.org/FoxTourFebruary MARCH 14 11 TO 11:45 AM Docent Tour of Wood Gaylor and American Modernism. Heckscher.org/GaylorTourMarch DOCENTS ALSO IN THE GALLERIES FEBRUARY 7 | FEBRUARY 28 MARCH 7 | MARCH 28 12 TO 1:30 PM
CONNIE FOX STUDIO TOUR
MARCH 6 1 TO 2:30 PM SAVE THE DATE Enjoy an exclusive virtual visit to artist Connie Fox’s studio in East Hampton. Learn more about the artists, get a behindthe-scenes view of her process, and participate in a Q & A. Registration details available at Heckscher.org/ConnieFoxStudio
Member Events
Family Events
Alexander Brook, Early Fall, Woodstock, c. 1925, Oil on canvas. Gift of the Baker/Pisano Collection. On view in Wood Gaylor and American Modernism.
Thursday through Sunday 12 to 5 pm (Closed Monday through Wednesday)
Go to Heckscher.org/reopening *Walk-ins welcome when space permits.
DIRECTIONS
LIE or Northern State Parkway to Route 110 North. Turn right onto Route 25A East, Main Street, in Huntington. Left onto Prime Avenue.
PRIVATE GROUP TOURS
Tours for groups numbering 6 to 12 people now available. For scheduling and fees, register at Heckscher.org/visit/groups-tours/ Generous support provided by the Town of Huntington.
2 PRIME AVENUE HUNTINGTON, NY 11743 631.380.3230 HECKSCHER.ORG
HECKSCHER MUSEUM HOURS
REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR TIMED ADMISSION
@HECKSCHERMUSEUM
VISIT HECKSCHER.ORG FOR EXHIBITION AND PROGRAM INFORMATION.