Press Room
Welcome to the Nevada Museum of Art Online Press Office. Here you will find the latest press releases on Museum exhibitions, programs, and events, as well as recent news announcements and general information. To receive regular press releases and request preview invitations please register on the Press Mailing List.
High-resolution images for publication are available through our password-protected Press Image Center
If you have any questions, contact Rachel Milon, Director of Communications and Marketing at 775.329.3333 ex. 228 or >
Current Press Releases
-
HISTORIC QUILTS OF GEE'S BEND TO BE FEATURED AT THE NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART
» Press Release
January 30, 2010 - Distinctive and original works of art complete with compelling histories, A Survey of Gee's Bend Quilts will be on display at the Nevada Museum of Art, located in downtown Reno, Feb. 6 through April 11, 2010. Showcasing the creativity of a group of exceptional African-American women from a small, rural community in Alabama, A Survey of Gee's Bend Quilts offers a fascinating look into the lives of the quilters and their art while exploring the inspiration and future of this unique quilting tradition.
Consisting of nearly 30 quilts, A Survey of Gee's Bend Quilts spans more than 70 years of quilting by the women of Gee's Bend, a community of just 700 residents located at a hairpin bend on the Alabama River. Comprised almost exclusively of descendants of the enslaved workers of Joseph Gee's cotton plantation, the area is surrounded on three sides by a river -- with only a single road in and out – leading to the development of a distinctive local culture and quilt aesthetic. The innovative pattern variations and abstract designs—all of which are rooted in tradition—are the quilters' own artistic expressions inspired by everyday events such as walking to the local store, visiting neighbors' homes and riding the bus.
The quilts of Gee's Bend are made from everyday fabrics: corduroy, denim, cotton sheets and well-worn clothing. Most of the quilts are of the type known as piece, strip or patchwork, yet their vibrant color schemes and abstract compositions vary widely from the ordered regularity associated with traditional Western quiltmaking. A longstanding tradition passed down since pre-Civil War times, the quilts of Gee's Bend were once the products of thrift and necessity assembled from discarded fabric scraps and created to be piled on beds to keep families warm at night.
Distinctive and original works of art complete with compelling histories, A Survey of Gee's Bend Quilts will be on display at the Nevada Museum of Art, located in downtown Reno, Feb. 6 through April 11, 2010. Showcasing the creativity of a group of exceptional African-American women from a small, rural community in Alabama, A Survey of Gee's Bend Quilts offers a fascinating look into the lives of the quilters and their art while exploring the inspiration and future of this unique quilting tradition.
Consisting of nearly 30 quilts, A Survey of Gee's Bend Quilts spans more than 70 years of quilting by the women of Gee's Bend, a community of just 700 residents located at a hairpin bend on the Alabama River. Comprised almost exclusively of descendants of the enslaved workers of Joseph Gee's cotton plantation, the area is surrounded on three sides by a river -- with only a single road in and out – leading to the development of a distinctive local culture and quilt aesthetic. The innovative pattern variations and abstract designs—all of which are rooted in tradition—are the quilters' own artistic expressions inspired by everyday events such as walking to the local store, visiting neighbors' homes and riding the bus.
The quilts of Gee's Bend are made from everyday fabrics: corduroy, denim, cotton sheets and well-worn clothing. Most of the quilts are of the type known as piece, strip or patchwork, yet their vibrant color schemes and abstract compositions vary widely from the ordered regularity associated with traditional Western quiltmaking. A longstanding tradition passed down since pre-Civil War times, the quilts of Gee's Bend were once the products of thrift and necessity assembled from discarded fabric scraps and created to be piled on beds to keep families warm at night.
Major sponsorship provided by the Nevada Museum of Art Volunteers In Art.
Media Sponsorship by KNPB Public Broadcasting.
Additional funding provided by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Supported by Stimulus Funding from the Nevada Arts Council's SNAP Grant Program. Supported by Stimulus Funding from the Nevada Arts Council's SNAP Grant Program.
A Survey of Gee's Bend Quilts will be exhibited February 6 through April 11, 2010 at the Nevada Museum of Art, Donald W. Reynolds Center for the Visual Arts, E. L. Wiegand Gallery located at 160 West Liberty Street in downtown Reno. The galleries are open Wednesday through Sunday. Cost: Museum members free; $10 adults; $8 students/seniors; $1 children 6 – 12; free for children under six. For more information, please call 775.329.3333 or visit www.nevadaart.org.
GUIDED TOURS:
Guided Tours for A Survey of Gee's Bend Quilts are free with admission on Thursday at 6pm (except First Thursdays) and Saturday and Sunday at 1pm. Space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations are not needed. Spanish language tours can be arranged by calling 775.329.3333 ex. 253.» Events & Programs
-
A Dialogue with the Gee's Bend Quilters
Friday February 5, 2010 / 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Don't miss this opportunity to meet two of the Gee's Bend quilters as they discuss the history, craft, and design of the Gee's Bend quilting tradition. Matt Arnett, Director of Exhibitions for Tinwood Media, the organization responsible for the Gee's Bend exhibitions of recent years, leads the dialogue and conversation.
-
Quilting Demonstration with the Quilters of Gee's Bend
Saturday February 6, 2010 / 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Learn about the Gee's Bend quilting tradition from two Gee's Bend quilters as they demonstrate their quilting process and discuss their unique craft and style.
-
Telling Stories, Sharing Quilts: The Lore of the Local Quilt
Saturday February 6, 2010 / 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join the Museum as local quilters share their stories and their art. Individual quilts will be displayed during the program and the quilters' stories documented. Want to participate? Upload your own story and a photograph of your quilt to our Flickr page: bit.ly/museumflickr.
-
Taste of Gee's Bend Dinner
Thursday March 25, 2010 / 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Celebrate the history and culture of Gee's Bend, Alabama, as Café Musée prepares a pre fixe dinner including the traditional southern tastes of Crisp Winter Greens, Double-Crusted Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast with Corn and Goat Cheese Grits and Sweet Potato Pie with Vanilla Whipped Cream. Cost: $34.50 for Members / $44.50 for non-members, which includes admission to the Museum. For reservations please contact Cafe Musee at 775.332.1848 ex 104.
$0 / $0 Museum members | Buy Tickets
-
Julie Silber on A Survey of Gee's Bend Quilts
Friday March 12, 2010 / 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Renowned quilt expert Julie Silber investigates the complex intertwining of women's history and quilt making over the past forty years. These half-hour dialogues invite guests to experience an informal and intimate introduction to works in the galleries. The Art Bite series is supported, in part, by the Gabelli Foundation.
$5 / $4 Museum members | Buy Tickets
-
-
LOCAL ARTIST'S LATEST EXHIBITION "SWARMS" THE NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART
» Press Release
December 15, 2009 - Tuscarora, Nev. sees it fair share of insects each year as an annual invasion of Mormon crickets engulfs the small town, population 13. For resident and artist Elaine Parks, the infestation is an event she anticipates with both deference and dread, illustrated in her upcoming exhibition Swarm at the Nevada Museum of Art opening Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009.
Consisting of over 1,000 larger-than-life-sized clay crickets, Swarm will encircle viewers much like the insects that take over Parks' town. Covering the entire floor of the intimate Small Works Gallery, the clay crickets will gather and climb the walls mimicking their counterparts' ascent of homes, highways and vegetation encountered along their annual march.
A former associate of the Tuscarora Pottery School, Parks moved to Tuscarora in 2000 after receiving her MFA from California State University, Los Angeles in 1999. Parks soon discovered that the town, located about 50 miles north of Elko in the northeastern region of Nevada, is just one of many small towns across the American West that braces for the insects' visit each year. After hatching in the spring, the insects -- known formally as shield-backed katydids - spend all summer marching and eating their way through northern Nevada and western Utah until coming to a stop to lay their eggs and die.
Swarm: Elaine Parks is on exhibition Dec. 19, 2009 through March 14, 2010 at the Nevada Museum of Art. Guided Tours are available free, with admission or membership, each Thursday (except First Thursday), at 6pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm. Space is limited to a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations are not needed. Spanish language tours are available by reservation at 775.329.3333 ex.253.
####
The Nevada Museum of Art is a private, non-profit organization supported by the generosity of its membership as well as by sponsorships and grants. Through creative programming and scholarship, the Museum provides the opportunity for people to encounter, engage and enjoy a diversity of art experiences. The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, late on Thursdays until 8 pm. The galleries, Museum Store and Café Musée are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidays.
» Images & Citations
Elaine Parks, Crickets, 2008-09, clay. Courtesy of the artist.
-
SNARLING DRAGONS AND MEDIEVAL MAIDENS INVADE THE MUSEUM
» Press Release
November 6, 2009 - The first museum to mount an exhibition of its kind, the Nevada Museum of Art presents Monsters and Maidens: Amphora Pottery of the Art Nouveau Era , opening Saturday, Nov. 14. Featuring snarling dragons and sea creatures, medieval maidens and lily pads, the exhibition is a rare opportunity to view the intricate and delightful works of the Amphora Pottery Company, created between 1892 and 1918. This first-ever museum exhibition of Amphora Pottery consists of approximately 20 pieces of porcelain and ceramic vessels including vases, planters and urns from the extensive collection of Dr. Byron Vreeland.
"In the United States, the popularity of Amphora Pottery soared during the late nineteenth century as demand for decorative objects increased," said Ann M. Wolfe, Curator, Nevada Museum of Art. "It is surprising - given its popularity - that this unique and sometimes bizarre form of pottery remains relatively unknown today, except by a handful of collectors. We are excited to bring these more unusual and rarely seen works to the spotlight."
Greatly influenced by the artistic and literary movements of the time, including Art Nouveau, Symbolist and Secessionist Art, Amphora Pottery came about due to a rare combination of historical and political events in late nineteenth century Bohemia. Following the country's inclusion into the Austro-Hungarian Empire, an influx of skilled German immigrants combined with Bohemia's Celtic origins, its thousand-year history, and rich culture fueled the creative synergy that resulted in the birth of the Amphora Pottery Company in 1860. Founded by Alfred Stellmacher in Turn-Teplitz, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic),, thousands of remarkably imaginative and delicately-crafted ceramic vessels were created. Renowned for their high quality, the works produced by the Company were frequently recognized at World Fairs and expositions resulting in increased access and popularity across the globe.
Amphora Pottery is made using a die-or model-carved from clay and polished smooth. The die is then fired and used to create a plaster-of-Paris cast that is filled with refined clay and swirled to create a half-inch thick model. Once the inner model dries, the cast is removed and the clay is carved, glazed and fired. It is believed that the pieces in existence today are practically impossible to reproduce due to the prohibitive costs and time involved. Female faces were a popular motif used in Amphora pottery as many portrait pieces were influenced by themes and motifs from mythology, literature, and religion, portraying women as magical nymphs, dancers, and virgins. Insects and fantasy creatures, such as dragons, were also frequently portrayed.
HIGHLIGHTED WORKS:
Among the most sought-after of Amphora portrait pieces, the rare Spider Woman vase (pictured above), depicts a woman with closed eyes and long golden tresses, whose face is framed with a butterfly headdress, golden crown, and a spider web. Four opals have been affixed to further ornament the piece. The Bat Planter (pictured above), is one of the rarest and most ambitious objects made by the Amphora Company due to its large size and the intricacy of its design and ornamentation. Advertisements for the Bat Planter appeared in many German-language magazines around 1905. Only four examples of this piece are known to remain in the world-one of which is in the National Museum in Prague, Czechoslovakia. "Monsters" from the sea-such as squid, crab and octopus (pictured above),-were popular motifs for vases that were eagerly sought by collectors enamored with dragon-type imagery.
Accompanying the exhibition is a detailed book by the same name, Monsters and Maidens: Amphora Pottery of the Art Nouveau Era , written by longtime collector and renowned Amphora Pottery Company researcher, Dr. Byron Vreeland. The text traces Amphora's history through Early Victorian forms to the Art Nouveau modern movement highlighted by 375 color plates, some of the finest Amphora creations ever made. In the book, Vreeland outlines the impact of the style on artists from across Europe, including Alfred and Eduard Stellmacher, Paul Dachsel, Ernst Wahliss, Alphonse Mucha, and Agathon Leonard. Monsters and Maidens: Amphora Pottery of the Art Nouveau Era is available for purchase in the Museum Store for $30 hardcover only.
Monsters and Maidens: Amphora Pottery of the Art Nouveau Era will be on exhibit November 14 through January 17, 2010 at the Nevada Museum of Art, Donald W. Reynolds Center for the Visual Arts, E. L. Wiegand Gallery located at 160 West Liberty Street in downtown Reno. The galleries are open Wednesday through Sunday. Cost: Museum members free; $10 adults; $8 students/seniors; $1 children 6 - 12; free for children under six. For more information, please call 775.329.3333 or visit www.nevadaart.org.
This exhibition features stunning examples of Amphora Pottery from the Southern California collection of Dr. Byron Vreeland. The Nevada Museum of Art is grateful to Dr. Vreeland for generously participating in this project and for lending the objects for this exhibition.
####
The Nevada Museum of Art is a private, non-profit organization supported by the generosity of its membership as well as by sponsorships and grants. Through creative programming and scholarship, the Museum provides the opportunity for people to encounter, engage and enjoy a diversity of art experiences. The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, late on Thursdays until 8 pm. The galleries, Museum Store and Café Musée are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidays.
-
E. L. WIEGAND FOUNDATION'S ARTE ITALIA TO PRESENT RAPHAEL'S: THE WOMAN WITH THE VEIL AT THE NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART
» Press Release
September 8, 2009 - Arte ITALIA, through its relationship with New York-based Foundation for Italian Art & Culture, announced today it will present a once-in-a-lifetime viewing of Raphael's masterpiece painting The Woman with the Veil in the E. L. Wiegand Gallery at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, NV from January 9 through March 21, 2010.
Founded in Reno, NV and operated by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation, Arte ITALIA promotes the exploration and conservation of Italian culture, including innovative exhibitions of classic Italian art and culinary programs featuring renowned Italian chefs.
Completed in 1516 - four years before Raphael died at age 37 - the single painting The Woman with the Veil ( La Velata in Italian ), depicts a woman wearing a veil and embodies some of the high Renaissance master's distinctive qualities: his control over pigment and color, and a serenity that contrasts with the style of his mentors and fellow icons of the era, notably Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
"We are humbled and excited that the highly esteemed Foundation for Italian Art & Culture has made it possible for Arte ITALIA to present this 500-year-old magnificent masterpiece in Nevada for the first time," said Raymond C. Avansino, Jr., Chairman of the E. L. Wiegand Foundation and Arte ITALIA. "With the help of our friends at FIAC, Arte ITALIA is bringing an important Italian Renaissance treasure to Nevada schoolchildren, scholars, aspiring artists and the public. Unless you visit the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy you would not have the opportunity to view this superb masterwork."
David Walker, Executive Director and CEO of the Nevada Museum of Art, said, " Arte ITALIA and the Nevada Museum of Art have collaborated for months to make this a reality. Our relationship is a marriage of missions and we are thrilled to assist Arte ITALIA with bringing world class Italian art to Nevada. The opportunity to see Raphael's The Woman with the Veil is a gift of a lifetime to our community."
Opening to the public on January 9, 2010, The Woman with the Veil depicts a serene woman looking intently at the viewer. It is believed that the model for the painting is the same woman depicted in other Raphael works including La Fornarina . Scholars have suggested that the woman, Margherita Luti, was Raphael's lover.
This exhibition is presented by E.L. Wiegand Foundation's Arte ITALIA, organized by the Portland Art Museum and supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. This exhibition was made possible by the Foundation for Italian Art and Culture.
About Raphael
Raphael (1483-1520), also known as Raffaello Sanzio, was born in Urbino, Italy. His father, Giovanni Santi, was a painter and a poet. Raphael trained in his father's workshop and later in the workshop of the artist Pietro Perugino. In 1504 he began spending time and perhaps even resided in Florence, where he was influenced by the work of Leonardo da Vinci. Eventually, he moved to Rome where, under the patronage of Pope Julius II, he entered his most productive phase as an artist. He managed a large workshop of pupils and assistants, many of whom became well-known artists in their own right. Raphael's personal life was complex. He never married but was reputed to have had many relationships. In 1514 he became engaged to Maria Bibbiena, the niece of an influential Cardinal and Raphael's friend. The marriage never took place, and she died in 1520. Raphael lived a grand lifestyle in Rome and attained some status at court. It is believed that he died on his 37th birthday in 1520. He left a significant portion of his estate to his mistress Margherita Luti and he was buried in the Pantheon.
About Foundation for Italian Art & Culture
The Foundation for Italian Art & Culture is a non-profit, U.S. incorporated organization established in New York City in 2003. The Foundation's mission is to promote the knowledge and the appreciation of the Italian cultural and artistic traditions from the classical period to modern times in the United States and it works closely with the Italian Ministry of Culture to accomplish this mission. In addition to sponsoring its own programs and exhibitions, the Foundation acts as an intermediary between Italy and the United States to facilitate exchanges between American and Italian institutions.
About Nevada Museum of Art
Through creative programming and scholarship, the Nevada Museum of Art provides the opportunity for people to encounter, engage and enjoy a diversity of art experiences. Founded in 1931, the Museum is the oldest cultural institution in the state of Nevada. The Museum's feature exhibitions showcase national and international artists, while the permanent collection of nineteenth through twenty-first century art is divided into five focus collections linked by an overall emphasis on art and environment.
Viewing Raphael: The Woman with the Veil
Raphael: The Woman with the Veil will be presented at the E. L. Wiegand Gallery of the Nevada Museum of Art from January 9 through March 21, 2010. The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm and open on Thursdays until 8pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $1 for children ages 6 to 12 years. Admission is free for Museum members. Additional information is available at www.nevadaart.org and www.arteitaliausa.com. In addition to its presentation in Reno, the painting will tour to the Portland Art Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum before returning to Italy.
LODGING PACKAGES AVAILABLE
Lodging deals are available for this exhibition with one of Reno's most exciting hotels, the Silver Legacy Resort Casino. Click here for more information and to book your next vacation to Reno.
###
"» Events & Programs
-
Opening Talk: David Alan Brown on Raphael
Saturday January 9, 2010 / 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
David Alan Brown, renowned Renaissance scholar and Curator of Italian Painting at the National Gallery of Art, presents the opening talk on Raphael's masterpiece, The Woman with the Veil. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the Raphael's life from one the world's foremost scholars of the Renaissance period.
-
Dinner with the Girl
Thursday January 28, 2010 / 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Enjoy an intimate dinner inspired by the Marche/Urbino region of Italy, home of Raphael, during this unique evening celebrating Raphael: The Woman with the Veil. Prepared by Café Musée, the three course dinner includes admission to the Museum. Advance reservations are required at 775.332.1848 ex. 104.
-
Contour Portraits
Sunday January 31, 2010 / 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Explore Raphael: The Woman With the Veil and create a fun contour drawing of someone in your family. Outline your portrait in colored markers or pastels to make a special keepsake. One-hour sessions beginning at noon, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm. Bring the entire family for this free, fun program featuring hands-on art projects and gallery activities for all ages.
-
Arte ITALIA DAY - FREE ADMISSION TO SEE RAPHAEL: THE WOMAN WITH THE VEIL
Thursday February 25, 2010 / 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
See Raphael: The Woman with the Veil for free during Arte ITALIA Day on Thursday, February 25 from 10 am to 8 pm. Trained docents will be on-hand to provide information from 2 to 8 pm. At 6pm, enjoy the sounds of vocal ensemble Reno Early Music as they perform Italian madrigal period music. Generously hosted by Arte ITALIA, admission is free to everyone on Thursday, February 25, 2010 only.
-
Italy in the Age of Raphael
Friday February 12, 2010 / 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Join UNR professor of European History Kevin Stevens as he guides visitors through a fascinating exploration of Italian life and culture in Raphael's time. These half-hour dialogues invite guests to experience an informal and intimate introduction to works in the galleries. The Art Bite series is supported, in part, by the Gabelli Foundation.
-
Framing in the Sixteenth Century
Friday February 19, 2010 / 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Discover the ornate, gold-gilt Renaissance frame of The Woman with the Veil with master framemaker Greg Drinkwine as he leads an intimate discussion of frames from the Renaissance, considered objects of art unto themselves. These half-hour dialogues invite guests to experience an informal and intimate introduction to works in the galleries. The Art Bite series is supported, in part, by the Gabelli Foundation.
-