Collection Connection
Film Friday: Robert Langham III
It’s #FilmFriday and we are talking about MOVEMENT! Take a look at the beautiful and magical photographs of Robert Langham III whose work was not only featured in his solo exhibition at the Grace, Magic & Logic, but who is also well represented in the Grace permanent art collection. Langham’s proprietary process shown in several of the included images captures motion in a way like no other.
Way Back Wednesday: West Texas Clubwoman
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century many women did not have access to higher education nor were they permitted to participate publicly in leadership roles. The solution was to band together in a socially accepted format to educate each other and make contributions to their community as a group.
Way Back Wednesday: Tools for Modern Living
It’s #WayBackWednesday and #STEAMweek here at the Grace and today we are sharing some important tools from the history collection! There was a time when hi-tech was low-tech and the history vault at The Grace is full of reminders that maybe those weren’t necessarily simpler times. Judging from the treasures in the history collection, the residents of Abilene have been on the cutting edge of modern convenience since the 1880s.
Best Friends: The Dog as Subject in Fine Art Photography
Best Friends: the dog as subject in fine art photography presents individual dogs as primary subject. Many of the photographs could be labeled portraits because of the obvious affection the photographer has for the particular dog in the photograph. This exhibition explores the universal symbiotic relationship between people and their dogs as captured on film by photographers William Wegman, Elliott Erwitt, Keith Carter, Rufus Lovett, J.W. Clarke, Dennis C. Darling and many others from the private collection of professional photographers Alice and Bill Wright.
Tot Spot: Nature Mobile
Families – it’s virtual Tot Spot Time and today we are learning about mobiles and center of gravity and artist Mark Messersmith! You will learn about the artist as well as how to create your own yarn-wrap nature mobile. This activity is scaleable for all ages!
Way Back Wednesday: A Cup of Coffee from the History Collection
It’s #FriendshipWeek and we are sharing with you, our friends, some very cheery #waybackwednesday friends from the History Collection. Imagine all of the friendly conversations that occurred in the Hotel Grace/Drake Coffee Shop over the years. And no two objects go together quite like a cup and a saucer! Who are your friends you share a cup of coffee with downtown today – maybe at Monks Coffee Shop or Front Porch Coffee Co. & Bakery?
Film Friday: June Van Cleef
It’s #FilmFriday during the Week of the American Cowboy and we are highlighting a double feature of photographers who capture ranch life and all it’s manifestations and in a beautiful and true way. First up is June Redford Van Cleef. Hear about her work in her own words – illustrated with the beautiful works from the photography collection of The Grace Museum. All works shown are gelatin silver prints and a Gift of the Artist – to the collection.
Still Life in Photography: Laura Pickett Calfee
Since the mid-1990s Calfee has photographed homes occupied by the same families for generations focusing on casually arranged mementos, lovingly used objects and telltale signs of previous owners. The intimate photographs illuminate the significance of the fading tradition of holding on to the home place and caring for objects handed down from generation to generation. The subtly-hued photographs place one or more specific objects into small carefully composed vignettes.
Grant Wood 3D Landscape Art Activity
Learn about American Regionalist artist, Grant Wood, and make your own 3D landscape work of art! Supplies: long sheet of paper, pencil, scissors, glue/tape, crayons/colored pencils/paint/markers
Reid Crowell – Farm and Ranch
It’s #WayBackWednesday and we have a really interesting Agriculture + Art + History connection to share for #FromFlowersToFoodWeek!
Staff Picks: Annemarie picks La Luz Sunrise by Peter Hurd
Children’s Programming Coordinator, Annmarie Holder shares why she picked La Luz Sunrise by Peter Hurd as one of her favorite pieces from The Grace Museum’s permanent Art Collection.
Tot Spot: Mail-A-Hug
Families – it’s Tot Spot Time and today we are learning about Lithography and artist Jerry Bywaters and then making a HUG to send in the mail to someone who needs it! The supplies you will need are: Large Piece of Paper, large envelope, pencil, markers/crayons/paint, scissors (for the adults). Supply kits can also be picked-up from The Grace Museum in our lobby!
Illustrated Happy Hour: Andy Warhol – Space Fruit + Old Fashioned Cocktail
It’s That Retro Week Illustrated Happy Hour and we are throwing back to Andy Warhol’s ‘Space Fruit” series from 1977 from the collection of The Grace Museum. Check out this print series while sipping on an Old Fashioned as taught by Krystalle at Cypress Street Station! Then paint along at the end.
Film Friday: Earlie Hudnall, Jr. – American Photographer
We have a special Saturday edition of our #FilmFriday series today! We are happy to share this image from The Grace Museum Collection by @txcommarts – 2020 Texas State Artist (2D) – Earlie Hudnall, Jr. titled “The Guardian”.
Illustrated Happy Hour: Luis Jimenez and Jesus Moroles – A Shared History
For Illustrated Happy Hour this week we celebrate two important American sculptors who have a shared history. Both, born in Texas – rose to international acclaim and have represented the US as iconic symbols through their work. Sadly – both artists left us too soon. Settle in and make this week’s layered patriotic cocktail with Cypress Street Station and learn about Luis Jimenez and Jesús Moroles! Paint along at the end.
Way Back Wednesday: History of the American Flag
It’s #WayBackWednesday and we are sharing this history of the American Flag! The flag has a really interesting history and The Grace Museum has an example of a handheld 48 stars flag from 1958. Check out this history of the flag via PBS as well as this short video visual evolution of the flag!