OnExhibit | Fall 2017 by MontgomeryMFA

onEXHIBIT Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts | FALL 2017

Uncommon Territory | Frank Stella Prints | Southern Accents | Principally Paper | and more!

October | November | December | 2017 OnExhibit is published quarterly by the Development Division of the MMFA. Staff and volunteers provide content.

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park One Museum Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36117 Phone: 334.240.4333 Fax: 334.240.4384 TTY: 334.244.5752

Museum Hours Tuesday through Saturday: 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Thursday: 10 A.M. to 9 P.M. Sunday: 12 noon to 5 P.M. Closed on Monday, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day Email: museuminfo@mmfa.org | Website: www.mmfa.org

Free Admission Museum Store Hours Tuesday through Saturday: 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. Sunday: 12 noon to 4 P.M. 334.240.4337

Café M Hours Tuesday through Friday: 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. Saturday Brunch: 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. 334.240.4339

Accessibility The Museum is fully accessible to the disabled. Parking is free.

Moving? Call Jen Eitzmann in the Development Department at 334.240.4370 or jeitzmann@mmfa.org to give a change of address.

Dear Members, As I write this, it has been 23 years since I first stepped through the doors of the MMFA as its new director. It was an exciting time for me, my family, and a young staff eager to nurture an extraordinary institution flourishing in Montgomery, Alabama. I have the same sense of optimism and hope as I tell you I am retiring from the directorship of this place that I love. Since that day in 1994, I have witnessed so many amazing events and accomplishments at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, from the expansion of our building to provide new opportunities for growth in our collections, exhibitions, and education, to the creation of innovative programs that serve our larger community of Montgomery and the River Region.

from the DIRECTOR EMERITUS

onEXHIBIT

Beginning with the founders and original donors who played a key role in building this collection and institution, Montgomery has embraced the role of the arts in community life. I am incredibly grateful to the leadership of the City of Montgomery, our MMFA Board of Trustees, and the wonderful and supportive staff who have cooperated in building this Museum of which we are so proud. It has truly been a team effort, and each has had their role to play in securing its future. As I leave the MMFA, I do so with the knowledge that there will be a continuity of leadership and support that will carry the MMFA forward. As we look ahead, we can anticipate the further development of our facility, programming, and most of all, our beautiful new sculpture garden.

Association of Art Museum Directors

Finally, I thank you for your support of me and my family in our years here at the MMFA. I also thank you for your ongoing care of the Museum as it transitions to new leadership and furthers its mission, serving as the “crown jewel” of the arts here in the Montgomery community. Best wishes,

On the Cover: Michael Willett, Untitled (You’re Dead!), 2016, acrylic, collage, graphite on canvas, Lent by the artist 2

Mark M. Johnson Director Emeritus

here for YOU

ADMINISTRATION

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Edwin C. Bridges, Ph.D., Interim Director Mark Johnson, Director Emeritus

Leslie Sanders, President David Chandler, Treasurer Mary Dunn, Secretary Roger Spain,

CURATORIAL Margaret Lynne Ausfeld, Curator of Art Jennifer Jankauskas, Ph.D., Curator of Art Michael Panhorst, Ph.D., Curator of Art Pam Bransford, Registrar Sarah Elizabeth Kelly, Assistant Registrar Sarah Graves, Collections Information Specialist Jeff Dutton, Preparator/Designer Brad Echols, Preparator Amy Johnson, Librarian*

DEVELOPMENT Emily Dauber Flowers, Director of Development Jennifer Eitzmann, Development Officer Cynthia Milledge, Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Aaron Ganey, Special Events Coordinator

EDUCATION Alice Novak, Curator of Education Kaci Norman, Assistant Curator of Education, Youth, Family, and Studio Programs

Elisabeth Palmer, Assistant Curator of Education, Docent and Adult Programs

Laura Bocquin, Outreach Coordinator Kelly Bazan, ARTWORKS Educator Jill Byrd, Tour Coordinator Brandy Morrison, Education Secretary Meg Hall, Volunteer Services*

MUSEUM STORE Ward Chesser, Associate* Drew Mulligan, Associate* Cecilia Moore, Associate*

OPERATIONS Steve Shuemake, Assistant Director (Operations) Janet Carroll, Accountant Stephanie Montes, Assistant Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Administrative Assistant

Vernell Watts, Receptionist

MAINTENANCE Percy Bowman, Building Maintenance Supervisor Kristen Albright, Service Maintenance Worker Douglas Beachem, Service Maintenance Worker Walter Johnson, Service Maintenance Worker

SECURITY Ken Nielsen, Chief of Security Christine Hall Zackery Allen Charles Harris, Jr. Ryan Baugh Dwayne Lacy Adam Blythe Evelyn Pettis Irease Bowman Rickie Posey Ritchie Burdette Wilma Robinson Daniel Chaney Kevin Wallace Willia Flanning

mission STATEMENT

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

Immediate Past President

Cedric Bradford Karen Campbell Ginny Cumbus Barbara Davis Guy Davis Rachael Gallagher Katherine Gayden Susan Geddie Jason Goodson Polly Hardegree** Katharine Harris Ann Hubbert Lucy Jackson Derek Johnson Pete Knight Rosetta Ledyard Joan Loeb Cathy Martin Richard Neal Patricia Pinchback** Sheron Rose Dee Russell Adam Schloss Gloria Simons Mark Snead Winifred Stakely** Barbara Thompson Janet Waller Dr. Laurie Jean Weil** Frank Wilson Kelli Wise

The mission of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art of the highest quality for the enrichment, enlightenment, and enjoyment of its public.

To learn more about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on view at the Museum, upcoming events, and to get behind-the-scenes insights to what we have planned, make sure to check us out online.

**denotes past presidents

Past Presidents Carl Barker Barrie H. Harmon, III Camille Elebash-Hill Margaret Lowder Laura Luckett Gordon Martin Philip T. Murkett, Jr. Peggy Mussafer Caroline Novak Mrs. Vaughan Hill Robison James Scott Mrs. Frederick W. Wilkerson

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians supports all exhibition programs.

*denotes part-time employees 4

in the GALLERIES

Closing Soon

Frank Stella Prints: A Retrospective from the Collection of Jordan Schnitzer and His Family Foundation

Hans Grohs and The Dance of Death

Through October 29, 2017 For a half-century, Frank Stella has created an abundance of abstract paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints. Frank Stella Prints details Stella’s remarkable career as a printmaker, illustrating how his innovations have redefined the traditional print. The exhibition provides a clear view of Stella’s stylistic evolution—a series of reinventions from the minimalist geometric abstraction of his early years to the baroque exuberance of his later gestural work.

Support for the exhibition and related educational and outreach programs has been made possible by a grant from the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation.

Through expressive woodcut prints, Hans Grohs (German, 1892–1981) evokes the medieval subject of The Dance of Death. Long fascinated with death, Grohs created numerous works of art exploring this theme including pieces on view from the series A Dance of Death (Ein Totentanz), 1917–1919 and The Alphabet with Death (Das ABC Mit Dem Tod), 1924. Organized by the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

Frank Stella Prints is the artist’s first major print retrospective since 1982 and is the occasion for the publication of a revised and expanded catalogue raisonné by Richard H. Axsom, Ph.D., Frank Stella Prints: A Catalogue Raisonné (NY: Hudson Hills Press, 2016). The prints are selected from the extensive collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and his Family Foundation, Portland, Oregon. Schnitzer says, “Stella bridges Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, and Pop. What I admire about him is that he’s kept pushing himself into new mediums and new themes.”

Through November 26, 2017

in the GALLERIES

Closing Soon

highlights of

RELATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS For more information see pages 16 and 17.

Hans Grohs and The Dance of Death: A Workshop for Teens Thursday, October 19, 5 to 6:30 P.M.

Hans Grohs (German, 1892–1981), Death and the Milkmaid, 1918, from the series, The Small Dance of Death (Kleiner Totentanz), woodcut on paper, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Association Purchase, 2007.1.1.9

Family Art Affair and Jazz Jams Sunday, October 29, 2 to 4 P.M. Jordan D. Schnitzer, Photo Courtesy of Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation

highlights of

RELATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS For more information see page 18.

College Night: Frank Stella Prints Thursday, October 26, 6 P.M. The Museum is grateful to sponsors Laura and Barrie Harmon, Melissa and Frank Wilson, Ann Hubbert, and Dr. Marla Wolhman and John Crews.

Landscapes, Cityscapes, and Harvest Scenes Through November 19, 2017 Urban and rural scenes were popular with nineteenth-century European artists who rendered their surroundings in a variety of styles ranging from naturalism to impressionism. The work of Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Crome, Charles-Francois Daubigny, Camille Pissarro, and James Abbott McNeill Whistler will be featured.

highlights of

RELATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS For more information see page 16.

Family Art Affair and Jazz Jams Sunday, November 19, 2 to 4 P.M.

Organized by the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

Charles-Francois Daubigny (French, 1817–1878), Clair de lune à Valmondois, 1877, etching on paper, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Weil, Jr., in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Weil, Sr., 1981.1.1 6

in the GALLERIES

Rodin Realism, Fragments, and Abstraction

November 18, 2017 through January 21, 2018

Through July 8, 2018

As part of our celebration of Alabama’s Bicentennial, the MMFA is presenting Uncommon Territory: Contemporary Art in Alabama. Featuring works by 30 artists and collaborative teams—both established and emerging—the exhibition exposes a cross-section of art produced by artists from across the state. Through painting, photography, printmaking, installation, sculpture, and video, Uncommon Territory demonstrates both the inventiveness and the current vitality of artistic creativity found throughout Alabama. Using wide-ranging styles and processes, these artists explore a variety of themes including natural and unnatural landscapes, drawing in space, social commentary, memory, and humans’ ties to nature. RELATED EDUCATIONAL

The Gates of Hell (1880–1917) and Burghers of Calais (1884–1889) are two of the most important works by Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). They are notable for their strong, emotional content and their scintillating, impressionistic surfaces. They also illustrate his unconventional preference for realism rather than idealism in public monuments, his unprecedented reuse of sculptural elements in new compositions, and his radical practice of fragmenting figures for artistic effect.

highlights of

Organized by the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Uncommon Territory has been made possible in part by a major grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts in celebration of the Bicentennial of the State of Alabama.

PROGRAMS

The Three Shades; Gates of Hell, Third Maquette; and Jean de Finnes (Clothed) are loaned by Iris Cantor. All of the bronzes are authorized posthumous casts.

in the GALLERIES

Uncommon Territory Contemporary Art in Alabama

Organized by the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

For more information see pages 19 and 20.

Panel Discussion: Uncommon Territory Thursday, November 30, 7 P.M. Short Course: Uncommon Territory Tuesdays, at 12 noon, December 5 and 12, 2017, and January 9 and 16, 2018

The Museum is grateful to exhibition sponsors Joan Loeb, Sterling Bank, and Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors.

Claire Lewis Evans, Flare (detail), 2015, mulberry paper, bamboo, reed, glue, paint, and dye, Lent by the artist.

Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917), Jean de Fiennes (Clothed), modeled 1885–1886, Musée Rodin cast 2/8 in 1981, bronze, 82 x 48 x 38 inches, Lent by Iris Cantor.

on view in the WILSON ORIENTATION CENTER & WILLIAMSON GALLERY

Principally Paper

December 2, 2017 through February 11, 2018

November 25, 2017 through January 21, 2018

Moonlight and magnolias may characterize the South in the imagination of many people, but few southern photographers have turned their cameras on these subjects. However, the enigmatic ruins of Windsor, an antebellum mansion, captured the attention of Clarence John Laughlin and other artists, while country churches and baptism ceremonies stimulated artists to document these distinctive southern structures and associated religious rituals. Like their northern counterparts, many southern photographers have pictured the landscape and some have made portraits of their contemporaries. Friends and families, community elders, and renowned artists have all become camera fodder for intrepid photographers whose work is in the collection of the Museum.

Ever since the invention of paper in ancient China and the migration of papermaking to Europe in the 10th century, artists made use of the material in tandem with publishers. Whether intended to hold text and images or as a support for paintings or illuminations, paper has a very long history in the art world.

Organized by the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts The Museum is grateful to exhibition sponsor River Bank & Trust.

Edward Russell Whiteman (American, born 1938), Stone #9, 1977, mixed media on paper, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Gift of Robert Gordy, 1981.7

Clarence John Laughlin (American, 1905â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1985), The Enigma, 1941, gelatin silver print on paper, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Association Purchase in memory of Adolph Weil, Jr., with funds provided by Montgomery Masters, 1996.1 10

Paper as a primary material is the theme of this exhibition. It features works from the MMFA permanent collection that are substantially created from handmade paper using the traditional technique of pressing fibers from organic sources like wood, grass, or cotton into flexible sheets. Modern and contemporary artists use paper as supports for paintings and prints, and many use the material for construction purposes.

on view in the WEIL GRAPHIC ARTS STUDY CENTER in the GALLERIES

Southern Accents

Clinton J. Hill (American, 1922â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2003), Untitled, 1981, handmade paper and dye pulp, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Gift of the Clinton Hill/Allen Tran Foundation, 2015.4.1a-e 11

mmfa SPOTLIGHT

MARK M. JOHNSON’S 23 YEARS as Director of the MMFA

When Mark M. Johnson arrived in 1994, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (founded in 1930) had been housed in the Blount Cultural Park for six years. “I was very excited to come to Montgomery and build a new life with my family. The Museum was a beautiful, still new building in an amazing natural setting, with a strong collection anchored by the gift of Red Blount. The potential was always there to really make a difference,” said Mark, MMFA Director. For 23 years, Mark’s energy and vision have shaped the Museum as he guided the expansion of its facility, holdings, programs, and vision for the future. One of Mark’s first gestures to the community was to invite families in—he inaugurated Military Open House and revived Holiday Open House in 1995. A native of Chicago, Mark insisted on having a painting by Alabamian Kelly Fitzpatrick at the entrance. Thanks to the endeavors of Mark and the Board of Trustees, today’s visitors enjoy the Weil Graphic Arts Study Center, Lowder Gallery, Weil Atrium, Wilson Orientation Circle, and expansions to the ARTWORKS interactive gallery and studio spaces. A new sculpture garden is also approaching completion, fulfilling the promise that Mark saw in the Park. Along with the Ida Belle Young Acquisition Fund and significant gifts of American art acquired during his tenure, Mark developed the collections of Studio Art Glass, self-taught Alabama artists, and traditional African art. His collegial friendships with artists also led to many donations, including a trove of photographs by Yousuf Karsh. A connoisseur, Mark set the tone, noting, “Scholarship is what separates a good museum from a great one. Allowing curators and scholars the freedom to do the work of documentation and interpretation, and making it accessible to the public, is a key responsibility of a director.” A scholar of Baroque art, Mark delighted in working to share the collection of works by Rembrandt van Rijn and other master printmakers gifted by Bucks Weil. Of the many publications to Mark’s credit, the most anticipated was American Paintings from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (2006), supported by both the Luce Foundation and the NEA. Exhibitions under him were w ide-ranging. 12

mmfa SPOTLIGHT

A Legacy of Excellence

Early in Mark’s tenure, the Museum developed an exhibition of Edward Hopper watercolors with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, followed by a Bill Traylor exhibition in conjunction with the High Museum of Art. More recently, the Museum hosted the exhibition History Refused to Die: Alabama’s African-American Self-Taught Artists in Context, honoring the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. In recent years, audiences have enjoyed an expanded range of contemporary offerings. Mark’s commitment to excellence in education is driven by his own creativity and generosity of spirit. Under his leadership, the Museum has worked closely with the school system and community organizations to expand the number of young visitors and nurture young artists. Mark inaugurated the first AP Art History class in Montgomery, from which many graduates have gone on to work in the field. More recently, the Museum received a grant from the Hearst Foundations to found the Learning Through Art program at Wares Ferry Road Elementary School. Participating students’ work is displayed at the Museum each year. A great friend to the Museum’s Docents (trained volunteer educators), Mark never misses a chance to show thanks for the service they provide in educating the visitors of all ages. He also embraced the Docents’ proposal to curate an exhibition of their own from the Museum’s collection. The Collectors Society, founded by Mark and several dedicated members in 2004, marries his loves of collecting and education through camaraderie. Many collectors have benefited from his guidance and the offerings made available in the Museum’s Art Auction. Under Mark’s leadership, the MMFA has also continued to advance new technologies. Especially notable is the extent to which the Museum’s collection is featured online at our website www.mmfa.org. Mark was an excellent steward of the Museum’s financial resources, and is, more than any other individual in its history, responsible for allowing the Museum to maintain its tradition of free admission to the public. Mark Johnson, the longest serving director in the Museum’s history, inherited an institution well-established in collections and exhibitions, evolved it dynamically, and leaves behind a thriving center of community, creativity, and learning. Mark, with his rich sense of humor, innovative ideas, and deep love of art will be missed at the MMFA. The staff and board wish him and his wife Amy all enjoyment of his well-deserved retirement. Through him, we have come to know more fully the power of art. 13

on view in the ARTWORKS CORRIDOR

Young Artists

The Museum regularly organizes exhibitions of student artwork displayed in the ARTWORKS Corridor Gallery. Themes are designed to go hand-in-hand with those of major exhibitions, and a jury of art professionals selects works for each show. Detailed guidelines and entry forms for each exhibition are available by request. Call 334.240.4365 or email edsecy@mmfa.org for more information. The Museum is grateful to Regions Bank and the Junior Executive Board for their sponsorship of exhibitions of student art.

On View: Inspired by Stella Through November 12, 2017 This student exhibition runs concurrently with the exhibition showcasing the prints of Frank Stella, one of the most influential and important contemporary American artists. Students from the region created works inspired by Stella’s geometric and abstract designs. Known for his use of line and color, Stella’s work lends itself to many interpretations, a selection of which will be on display in the Artworks corridor through mid-November.

Call for Entries: Emergent Viewpoints: Art in Alabama Today Exhibition Dates: November 16, 2017 through January 21, 2018 Exhibition Connection: Uncommon Territory: Contemporary Art in Alabama Deadline for Artwork: Friday, November 3, 2017 Eligibility: Middle School through College Opening Reception: Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 5:30 P.M. Project: This exhibition, which is open to middle school, high school, and college students, will highlight emerging young makers. Contemporary student artists who are using materials in an innovative way or who have altered the way we understand traditional art forms like painting, photography, and sculpture are invited to submit. We will showcase a mixture of two and three-dimensional artworks that celebrate innovation, creativity, and a fresh perspective on the world we live in, our place in it, or any concept the artist wishes to explore. Submissions may include photographs, paintings, sculptures, prints, and mixed-media works. Each entry should include a brief (100-word maximum) artist statement. A group of professionals will jury the show to determine which selections will be exhibited. Entries may be no larger than 18 x 24 inches. Photographs and works on paper must be presented in mats. Three-dimensional works of art may not exceed six inches in depth and must be ready to hang on the wall. Contact Kaci Norman for any questions at 334.240.4363 or knorman@mmfa.org.

Coming up this winter! The Southern Lens: Photographs of the South Artwork Due: Friday, January 12, 2018 Exhibition Dates: January 25 through March 5, 2018 Eligibility: K through 12 For more details go to www.mmfa.org. 14

PRESCHOOL (ages 3 to 5 with an adult caregiver) (ages 3 to 5 with adult caregiver) Children and their caregivers will enjoy learning about art basics by creating their own unique artworks together. Participants will learn through doing in our studio by exploring the elements of art and experimenting with new techniques. Class size is limited to 10 students per class. Tuesdays: October 10, 24, and November 7, 21 Time: 3:45 to 4:30 P.M. Instructor: Kaci Norman Cost: $8 members/$12 non-members for each class $24 members/$40 non-members for series of six classes

STUDIO classes

Sponsored by

CHILDREN AND YOUTH (ages 6 to 13) After School Art I & II

(ages 6 to 9 and 10 to 13) The fall brings another fun-filled series of art classes. These two agebased series of classes will include traditional mediums such as painting, sculpture, and drawing as well as exploring new media such as batiks, textiles, and more. Class size is limited to 12 students per class.

After School Art I

(ages 6 to 9) Time: 3:45 to 4:45 P.M. Wednesdays: October 4,11,18, 25, and November 1 and 8 Cost: $60 members / $98 non-members

After School Art II

(ages 10 to 13) Instructor: Kaci Norman Time: 4 to 5 P.M. Thursdays: October 5, 12, 19, 26, and November 2 and 9 Cost: $60 members / $98 non-members

Winter in the Studio

(ages 6 to 13) Sign your child up for a fun winter-themed studio class while they are out of school during winter break. Each day will have a different seasonal art project they can take home. All supplies and materials are provided. Sign up for one or both days. Instructor: Kaci Norman Time: 10:30 to 11:30 A.M. Thursday, December 28 and Friday, December 29 Cost: $5 members / $8 non-members for each class

TEENS AND ADULTS (ages 14 and older) Fused Glass Studio Class

Learn to fuse glass to make beautiful pendants, earrings, and more! Instructor Jo Taylor will teach you everything you need to know about this unique technique. No previous experience is necessary. All tools and supplies are provided. Class size is limited to 10 participants. Instructor: Jo Taylor Time: 1 to 4 P.M. Sunday, October 15 Cost: $50 members / $65 non-members To register for Studio Classes, please call 334.240.4365 at least a week before the class begins. 15

EDUCATION programs

TEACHERS

This FREE monthly program helps develop early learning and fine motor skills through storytelling and a simple craft. Tots and their caregivers will enjoy a fun interactive story and create a make-and-take art project. Instructors: Museum Education Staff and Docents Wednesdays: October 18, November 15, and December 20 Time: 10:30 to 11 A.M. and 11 to 11:30 A.M.

Thursdays, October 12, November 9, and December 7, 4:30 to 6 P.M. Art educators are welcome to join us for these FREE monthly workshops and learn more about utilizing the Museum as a classroom resource. After informative gallery talks with Museum curators, participants enjoy related art lessons in the studio. Light refreshments are served, and certification hours are earned!

Tales for Tots (ages 2 to 5 with an adult caregiver)

ARTWORKS

Earth’s Heart: Connecting Cultures Every Thursday at 2 P.M. Visit ARTWORKS on Thursday afternoons to learn about the arts of Peru (October), Russia (November), and India (December). Each month participants will explore a different culture. ARTWORKS Educator Kelly Bazan will introduce young learners to the basic greetings, visual arts, music, clothing, and traditions of the country in focus. Connections will also be made to works in the Museum’s galleries. Class size is limited to 25 students. First come first serve. Look for drop-in art activities related to special exhibitions while you explore the ARTWORKS interactive gallery. The ARTWORKS Gallery is sponsored by Alabama Power.

FAMILIES (all ages welcome) Film: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Wednesday, October 4, 1 P.M. As a follow-up to Night at the Museum, shown over the summer, we hope your family will join us for further Museum adventures with Ben Stiller, this time on a mission in the Smithsonian. Assistant Curator of Education Kaci Norman will introduce the film and lead a fun discussion afterwards. The Museum will provide complimentary popcorn, and beverages will be available for purchase. Cash only, please.

First Sundays October 1, November 5, December 3

Third Saturdays October 21, November 18, December 16 Learn more about the art on view at the Museum in these FREE one-hour docent-led tours offered the first Sunday and third Saturday of each month at 1 P.M.

Family Art Affair and Jazz Jams (all ages welcome) Music will fill the Museum and get your creativity going as you visit the studio and complete a make-and-take art project. This FREE family program has specific themes related to Museum exhibitions and is sure to be fun and engaging for the whole family. Sunday, October 29, 2 to 4 P.M. Inspired by the work of Hans Grohs, a German printmaker, participants will create a fall or Halloween-themed print.

Sunday, November 19, 2 to 4 P.M. Create a landscape, using a variety of materials, inspired by the works in the exhibition Landscapes, Cityscapes, and Harvest Scenes on display in our gallery.

Art Ed Central

Art Ed Central is a regional division of the Alabama Art Education Association. Meetings are co-hosted by the MMFA and organized by AAEA District Representative Sally Chambliss, art teacher at Loveless Academic Magnet Program. To register for workshops, call Brandy Morrison at 334.240.4365 or email edsecy@mmfa.org.

TEEN PROGRAMS

EDUCATION programs

YOUNG LEARNERS

MUSES

The MUSES is a teen council that meets on Wednesday afternoons to enjoy creative experiences in the galleries and plans art events for teens in Montgomery. This fall, MUSES will go behind-the-scenes of Uncommon Territory: Contemporary Art in Alabama to meet and speak with artists installing artwork. To learn how to represent your school and become part of the MUSES, please contact Elisabeth Palmer at 334.240.4362.

Hans Grohs and The Dance of Death: A Workshop for Teens Thursday, October 19, 5 to 6:30 P.M. Join us as we learn about the vivid work of German Expressionist Hans Grohs. Curator of Art Jennifer Jankauskas, Ph.D., will lead discussions of Grohs’ prints in the exhibition Hans Grohs and The Dance of Death. Participants will also be inspired to create their own “Grohs prints” in the studio. To register, please call 334.240.4365 or email edsecy@mmfa.org. This workshop is free for all middle and high school students.

AP Art History The Museum welcomes the following scholars to the world of art history. From Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School: Lauren Beverly, Mary Kathrine Foley, Maddie Jarman, Hannah Kate Magee, and Chloe Newell From Outlook Academy: Lei Mustin Both Maddie and Mary Kathrine are following in the footsteps of their older siblings who also studied Art History at the Museum. We would also like to recognize Maria Barragan (Class of 2017), Barbara Bradley (Class of 2011), Sarabeth Parker (Class of 2014), Carson Scott (Class of 2017), and Meili Wang (Class of 2017) for their service at the Museum as volunteers. As members of the teen council for the 2016–2017 school year, Maria, Carson, and Meili played leading roles in an interview and article about artist Federico Uribe and the arts showcase event An Expressive Evening. This summer Maria served as Assistant Teacher at Art Camp and her fellow interns Sarabeth and Barbara developed curriculum guides.

EDUCATION programs

College Night: Frank Stella Prints Thursday, October 26, 6 P.M. College Night is inspired this fall by the Museum’s temporary exhibition, Frank Stella Prints: A Retrospective from the Collection of Jordan Schnitzer and His Family Foundation. Immerse yourself in the exhibition and enjoy live music and spoken word. Try your hand at printmaking to create your own Stella-inspired work and learn more about the printmaking process. Admission to the event and exhibition is FREE.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Films and Panel Discussion Film: The Art of the Steal

Thursday, October 5, 5:30 P.M. Join us for Don Argott’s documentary about the controversial move of the Barnes art collection to downtown Philadelphia. The Ekphrasis book club also recently explored the topic after reading Art Held Hostage: The Battle Over the Barnes Collection. “ A gripping tale of intrigue and mystery in the art world, this film traces the history of the Barnes collection of PostImpressionist paintings, which was worth billions and became the subject of a power struggle after the 1951 death of the owner. Dr. Albert Barnes collected 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, 59 Matisses, 46 Picassos and many other valuable paintings. But the political wrangling over the collection eventually led to its division.” (Netflix) Assistant Curator of Education Elisabeth Palmer will introduce the film and lead a brief discussion following. The Museum will provide complimentary popcorn, and beverages will be available for purchase.

Film: The Agony and the Ecstasy Thursday, November 9, 5:30 P.M. Join us for the Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison film The Agony and the Ecstasy. “ Charlton Heston stars as Renaissance artist Michelangelo, who begrudgingly paints the Sistine Chapel for imperious Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison) in this epic adaptation of Irvine Stone’s novel directed by Carol Reed. While the novel covers Michelangelo’s life from birth to death, the film focuses on the battle of wills between the perfectionist artist and the impatient Pope who commissions (and eventually commands) him to paint the famed Chapel.” (Netflix) Assistant Curator of Education Elisabeth Palmer will introduce the film and lead a brief discussion following. The Museum will provide complimentary popcorn, and beverages will be available for purchase.

Panel Discussion: Uncommon Territory

Thursday, November 30, 7 P.M. To mark the Bicentennial of Alabama’s creation as a territory, Uncommon Territory: Contemporary Art in Alabama includes both established makers along with younger, emerging artists to examine the current vitality of artistic creativity found throughout the state. Following the exhibition’s opening reception, exhibition curator Dr. Jennifer Jankauskas will moderate a panel discussion with four artists to reflect on their diverse ways of working and their careers. Jürgen Tarrasch, a Birmingham-based abstract painter, works in a variety of media; Huntsville-based printmaker and multi-media artist Katie Baldwin’s narrative imagery relates to her place in the landscape; Tuscaloosa-based installation artist Claire Lewis Evans creates drawings in space; and Birmingham-based sculptor Stacey Holloway combines human and animal attributes in her narrative works to explore ideas of domesticity.

EDUCATION programs

COLLEGE PROGRAMS

Ekphrasis: A Monthly Book Club About Art Ekphrasis is a monthly book club devoted to the history of art. Works of fiction and non-fiction are featured, covering periods ranging from the ancient world to the present. For this unique program, staff members lead presentations to provide visual context for the chosen books. To reserve lunch from Café M, call 334.240.4365 or email edsecy@mmfa. org. Payment must be received by 10 A.M. the Friday before the book club meets. Ekphrasis is a free program for Museum members.

Georgia: A Novel of Georgia O’Keeffe Wednesday, October 11, 12 noon Led by Margaret Lynne Ausfeld

“Georgia O’Keeffe is a young woman, painting and teaching art in Texas, when she travels to New York to meet Alfred Stieglitz, the married gallery owner of 291, modern art promoter, and photographer. Their instantaneous attraction and powerful hunger for each other draw her into his world of art, sex, and passion, and she becomes his mistress and his muse. As their relationship develops, so does Georgia’s place in the art world, but she becomes trapped in her role as the subject of Stieglitz’s infamous nude photographs of her; the critics cannot envision her as her own being. As her own artistic fervor begins to push the boundaries of her life, we see Georgia transform into the powerfully independent woman she is known as today.” (Goodreads)

Heretics and Heroes: How Renaissance Artists and Reformation Priests Created Our World Wednesday, November 8, at 12 noon Led by Elisabeth Palmer

“Beginning with the continent-wide disaster of the Black Death, Thomas Cahill traces the many developments in European thought and experience that served both the new humanism of the Renaissance and the seemingly abrupt religious alterations of the increasingly radical Reformation. This is an age of the most sublime artistic and scientific adventure, but also of newly powerful princes and armies and of newly found courage, as many thousands refuse to bow their heads to the religious pieties of the past. It is an era of just-discovered continents and previously unknown peoples. More than anything, it is a time of individuality in which a whole culture must achieve a new balance if the West is to continue.” (Goodreads) 19

EDUCATION programs

American Artists’ Views of the First World War Tuesdays at 12 noon, October 31, November 7 and November 14 Many artists represented in the Museum collection lived through the First World War, including Kelly Fitzpatrick, Marsden Hartley, Childe Hassam, Georgia O’Keeffe, John Singer Sargent, and the Canadian Kerr Eby. Some saw combat and each influenced our perspective in some way regarding how we see our world, our country, and our involvement in the unprecedented global conflict. The Short Course taught by Curator of Art Michael Panhorst, Ph.D., and Curator of Education Alice Novak will consider the ways in which art was shaped by the War and will reference peacetime works by the artists in focus. The series will draw heavily on scholarship around the exhibition World War I and American Art, which was organized by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and opens at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville on October 6.

Uncommon Territory Tuesdays, at 12 noon, December 5 and 12, and January 9 and 16 Join us for this Short Course as Curator of Art Jennifer Jankauskas, Ph.D., and Assistant Curator of Education Elisabeth Palmer lead discussions with several artists represented in the exhibition Uncommon Territory: Contemporary Art in Alabama. December 5 - Artists Elisabeth Pellathy and Annie B. Campbell Elisabeth Pellathy is a multi-disciplinary artist, utilizing drawing, printmaking, electronic media, and digital fabrication in her work. Her art is reflective of issues raised by the disappearance of species, language, culture, and information. Annie B. Campbell is a sculptor who works primarily with clay in addition to various mixed media. Her current concepts revolve around specific environmental events, including accidents related to the extraction and transportation of fossil fuels.

EDUCATION OUTREACH Art in the Afternoon

Art in the Afternoon resumes this fall at the Mt. Meigs Campus for the Alabama Department of Youth Services, providing extra-curricular enrichment for the young men through weekly art classes. Printmaking will be the focus of the fall curriculum, pulling inspiration from the exhibition Frank Stella Prints: A Retrospective from the Collection of Jordan Schnitzer and His Family Foundation.

Learning Through Art: Artist in Residence Program The 2017–2018 school year marks the fifth year of the Museum’s partnership with Wares Ferry Road Elementary School, where the innovative Learning Through Art: Artist in Residence Program brings weekly art classes to all third and fourth graders. Students’ critical thinking and writing skills are nourished through regular student-driven discussions about art in the Museum’s collection and time for individual written responses, after which the students create their own artwork based on those observations and discussions. To further enhance the creative growth of the students, local artists visit the classroom throughout the school year to share their art forms and give the children encouragement, and the students make multiple visits to the Museum to engage more deeply with the artwork they discuss in class. The Learning Through Art: Artist in Residence Program is funded in part by a grant from the Central Alabama Community Foundation.

EDUCATION programs

Short Course

hats off to

OUR EDUCATION SPONSORS!

December 12 - Artists Irby Pace and Carlton Nell Irby Pace is a photographer and continues to be interested in capturing movement photographically by utilizing smoke in order to activate the landscape. Carlton Nell is an oil painter whose large oil paintings and small drawings capture the essence of a moment, a place, or a sensation in nature. January 9 - Jennifer Jankauskas, Ph.D. and Elisabeth Palmer The Curators will present an overview of other artists in the exhibition and contemporary practices in Alabama. January 16 - Artists E. Bruce Phillips, Jr. and Darius Hill E. Bruce Phillips, Jr. is a mixed-media artist whose work plays with perspective in order to investigate the interconnection between humans and the built environment. Darius Hill’s recent work is a meditation on identity. Using a variety of media, he examines the notion of the ‘black experience.’

ARTtalk 2017

Thursday, November 16, 6 to 8 P.M. Don’t miss the last meeting of the year of this popular program during which artists share one artwork apiece and receive feedback from their peers! Enjoy light refreshments while engaging in friendly critique of the works of art presented by participants. Cost: $ 5 for Museum or Montgomery Art Guild Members $10 for non-members To register, call 334.240.4365 or email edsecy@mmfa.org.

The Daniel

Font = ITC Avant Garde Gothic Family

Winifred and Charles A. Stakely; Dr. Laurie Jean Weil and Dr. Tommy Wool; Susan and Robert Runkle. PMS: Black,

GREEN: RGB: 0, 204, 56 HEXADECIMAL: 006838 CMYK: 90, 33,100, 25 PANTONE: 7727c / 356u

BLUE: RGB: 0, 109, 182 HEXADECIMAL: 006838 CMYK: 90, 55, 0, 0 PANTONE: 7461c / 300u

special EVENTS

Artist Market

Please join us for DiVine Lunch Thursday, October 19, 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. in Café M. United-Johnson Brothers will be pairing wines specifically for the menu created by the chefs at Café M. This special menu will highlight locally-sourced fare. Lunch is offered for $20 per person (plus tax and gratuity), and additional glasses of wine may be purchased for $8. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 334.240.4339.

Please join us for our eighth annual Artist Market beginning with a preview for Museum members on Friday, November 17, 5:30 to 8 P.M. The market will open to the public on Saturday, November 18, 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., in the Lowder Gallery and Rotunda of the MMFA.

Also, stop by the Museum Store between 12 noon and 2 P.M. to see Artist in Action Joan DiLaura. Along with meeting the featured artist, you will have the opportunity to purchase some of her work.

Art in Concert Friday, October 20, 2017, Gates Open at 5:30 P.M., Music Starts at 7 P.M. The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Junior Executive Board is proud to announce Tank and The Bangas is our featured band at Art in Concert. Tank and the Bangas is a New Orleans-based band that has gained popularity in the last several months after winning the NPR Tiny Desk Concert. Judges said the decision was made because the band was able to show a mastery of a unique sound while maintaining a chemistry that made them a pure joy to watch. The six-person band features Montgomery native and Booker T. Washington Magnet High School alumnus Albert Allenback. The MMFA will be bringing back the popular VIP tent sponsored by Pine Bar and Vintage Year for this year’s concert. Enjoy food and drinks and meet the band under a private tent from 5:30 to 7 P.M. prior to the concert. Early Bird ticket pricing, which ends October 19, is as follows: VIP tickets are only $50. General admission tickets are $15. All tickets can be purchased via our website at www.mmfa.org. General admission tickets can be purchased the night of the event. Food and beverages will be on sale throughout the evening. No outside coolers will be permitted, but chairs and picnic blankets are encouraged. Please remember to bring a valid ID to purchase alcohol. There will be a 100% ID check, no exceptions. Art in Concert will take place rain or shine. The MMFA’s JEB is grateful for lead sponsors the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, EMERGE Montgomery, Dan Harris, County Commissioner District 1, Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, Capital Container, Live & Listen, Jack Ingram Motors, Shoppes at Eastchase, and National Land Realty. Thanks to our Art in Concert VIP tent supporters: Pine Bar and Vintage Year.

Artist Market is a great way to kick off the holiday season and start your holiday shopping. We want Montgomery to buy local and hand-crafted art! Please invite your friends and family. They won’t want to miss this once-ayear opportunity! The Museum is grateful to Stifel for sponsoring the Artist Market and preview event.

special EVENTS

DiVine Lunch

Holiday Open House Saturday, December 2, 1 to 4 P.M. The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts invites you to a Saturday afternoon of holiday cheer at the 22nd annual Holiday Open House. Activities include performances by local school choirs, festive studio activities, and carriage rides. The galleries will be open, as will ARTWORKS. Be on the lookout for a certain red-suited guest who will listen to all holiday wishes! There is no charge for Holiday Open House, but we encourage you to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots or canned goods for the Montgomery Area Food Bank. Holiday Open House is sponsored by the BBVA Compass Foundation.

Military Open House Recap Thursday, August 24, 5:30 to 7 P.M. The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts hosted nearly 1000 visitors during the 22nd annual Military Open House honoring active-duty military, National Guard, reserves, military veterans, and their immediate families. Many of the Maxwell/Gunter Air Force Base school terms began in July, so we were delighted to welcome a large number of first-time visitors to the Museum. The MMFA was proud to have two special exhibitions honoring the armed forces on view for guests to enjoy; Sketching the Skies: Penrose Vass Stout, Alabama’s WWI Artist-Aviator, and 1917–2017: A Century of U.S. Airpower from the Air Force Art Collection. Museum curator, Jennifer Jankauskas, Ph.D., worked closely with Maxwell Air Force Base to present A Century of U.S. Airpower, and the Museum was honored to have Lieutenant General Steven Kwast, Commander and President, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Guests enjoyed a buffet style dinner provided by Wintzell’s Oyster House while Lo-Fi Loungers provided the music. Families were also invited to participate in a variety of studio activities, including creating a patriotic fireworks scene. The Museum is pleased to offer this annual evening event as a small “thank you” to those who serve and have served our community and country in the armed forces. It was a fun evening for everyone involved and we hope to see our military friends in the galleries often. Military Open House was sponsored by Montgomery City Council President Charles Jinright with catering generously provided by Wintzell’s Oyster House.

membership NEWS

Junior Executive Board Call for Nominations for the 2018 Term

This special group for Museum members is designed for those who collect art as well as those who enjoy learning about art and collections. The schedule includes programs at the Museum and travel. Join us to celebrate 200 years of Alabama culture and more.

The 2017 Junior Executive Board consisted of 29 members with a range of careers including university professor, interior designer, and political consultant. This diversity brought many new faces to the MMFA during JEB’s signature event, Last Call.

To learn more about the events below or to register, visit mmfa.org. For questions, contact Alice Novak: anovak@mmfa.org, 334.240.4361.

This year JEB hosted a preview party for Bazaar d’Art for the first time. The party allowed JEB members and their guests the first opportunity to bid on items in the auction. The event was such a success we are looking to repeat it for Art Auction 2018.

Luncheon Lecture by Richard H. Axsom, Ph.D.: “A Special Eye on Frank Stella’s Talladega Five I” Friday, September 22, 12 noon A Gallery Talk about the artist’s Circuits Series and Talladega Five I in Frank Stella Prints.

Architecture and Community: Auburn University’s Rural Studio in the Black Belt

(followed by lunch in Newbern) Wednesday, October 18, 8:30 A.M. Trip limited to 30 Collectors Society members A trip to see the philanthropic design-build architecture studio in the Black Belt.

The Alabama Artist Atelier: A Visit to Three Studios

(followed by lunch at Bottega) Thursday, January 11, all day Limited to 30 Collectors Society members A visit to the studios of Uncommon Territory artists Merillee Challis, Amy Pleasant, and Pete Schulte.

Boasting higher event turnouts than ever before and more money raised to support our Education department than in the past, our Junior Board is surpassing expectations and setting much higher goals. If you are interested in joining this dynamic group of young professionals, please send a cover letter and resume to Aaron Ganey, aganey@mmfa.org. We will be accepting applications beginning October 1 for the 2018 Junior Executive Board.

membership NEWS

Collectors Society 2017–2018: Exploring 200 Years of Alabama and Beyond

2017 Junior Executive Board Members Rachael Gallagher (President), Clay Loftin (Vice President), Kate Bartlett, Abby Basinger, Madeline Burkhardt, Holly Caraway, Chase Cobb, Randy Curry, John Dunn, Kayla Farnon, Bee Frederick, Pamela Froese, Austin Gaines, Kelsey Payne Hayes, Amanda Ingram, Elliot Knight, Laura McClendon, Kristin McDaniel, Ashley Miller, Sommer Morris, Drew Nelson, Naomi Slipp, Katy Sulhoff, Jonathan Tew, Erika Tracy, Ada Katherine van Wyhe, Griffith Waller.

Exploring Historic Perry Street with Mary Ann Neeley and Bob Gamble

(followed by lunch at the MMFA) Wednesday, March 7, 9:30 A.M. An excursion to view historic architecture with historian Mary Ann Neeley and architectural historian Bob Gamble.

The World of Walter Anderson with Margaret Lynne Ausfeld and Kellie Newsome

(followed by lunch at the MMFA) Thursday, April 26, 9 A.M. A tour of Journey of the Islander followed by an Anderson-inspired watercolor lesson. Collectors Society dues are $325 and include all food, beverage, admission, and transportation. Collectors Society members are welcome to invite guests for an additional fee on single events ($40 at MMFA / $85 traveling events), space permitting.

mmfa CORPORATE PARTNERS

Here’s how: ❏ I would like to renew/upgrade my membership. ❏ I would like to give a gift membership. (Please fill out section below.) ❏ I would like to honor a loved one with a memorial/tribute gift. (Please fill out memorial/tribute section below.)

❏

I would like to contribute a gift above and beyond my membership donation. (Please choose gift designation below.)

❏

I have remembered the MMFA in my will or estate plans.

support MMFA

YES!

I want to support the excellent programs and exhibitions that the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts has to offer.

Name_________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip_________________________________________________________ Phone (H) ______________________________ (W)____________________________

The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is grateful to our corporate sponsors for their commitment to the mission of the Museum. Through their generosity, the Museum continues to provide arts education and enrichment to Montgomery and surrounding communities. These companies have recently contributed substantially as Corporate Partners. Their generosity and leadership in giving are truly appreciated.

Email__________________________________________________________________ Enclosed is my contribution of: ❏ $60 ❏ $ 150 ❏ $ 250 ❏ $ 500 ❏ O ther $__________________ ❏ E nclosed is my check made payable to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. ❏ Please charge the following credit card. ❏ Visa ❏ Mastercard ❏ Amex Account #________________________ Exp. Date_________Security Code______ Cardholder Signature___________________________________________________ Send this GIFT MEMBERSHIP to: Name_________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip_________________________________________________________ Phone (H) ______________________________ (W)____________________________ This donation is in HONOR/MEMORY of: _________________________________ Please Notify: Name_________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip_________________________________________________________

❏ ❏ ❏

I have enclosed a matching gift from my employer. Please send me more information about the Museum and its programs. I/We’ve moved! Please update my records with the information above.

Gift Designation:

For More Information If you would like to discuss how you can support the MMFA, contact the Development Department at 334.240.4344 or email eflowers@mmfa.org. 26

❏ ❏

General Operating Fund ❏ Endowment Fund ❏ Acquisitions Fund Education Programs ❏ As Needed ❏ Sculpture Garden

For more information on donating to the MMFA, call 334.240.4333 or visit the website at mmfa.org. Thank you for your support of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts!

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!