things we care about

Have you seen it yet?  If not "it," then perhaps you've caught the t.v. commercial for the new iPad 3, touting its amazing "Retina display." The ad includes an image for what I can only guess is a touch-screen, picture paint app, shown below.  

Apple's recent ad struck me, not only because it mainstreams the notion that anyone (with the right technology) can make a painting, but also because of the narrator's closing statement alluding to the idea that now, because of a device with a screen "this good," you are suddenly able to capture "the things you care about."  While I have long been a supporter of the concept that there is an artist within each of us, this kind of blanket assertion causes me cringe to a bit.  Were we somehow previously not able to understand what we care about? I care that it often takes years of hard work for visual artists to hone their craft, and that looking at a two- or three-dimensional work of art is a completely different experience from seeing--and even touch-creating--a one-dimensional digital image.  

Tom Coates, Monday, Wash Day, oil on canvas, photo by Darrell Kincer

Speaking of other things to care about, such as actual paintings, bronzes, and works on paper, check out A Passionate Pursuit: The Milward Collection in the Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery.  A Reception is taking place this Friday, March 23, from 6-8PM.    

more to come

Thanks to ALL who assisted with A Passionate Pursuit: The Milward Collection, including Devon Stivers and Daniel Cantu, who worked up to the last minute on the final details needed to make the Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery shine.  Thanks also to Elizabeth Metcalf, whose graphic design skills were invaluable in the build up to the Opening Reception.  Speaking of which, 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR FRI, MARCH 23, 6-8PM, 

the Rescheduled Reception date!

Tom Coates, Bob Ridges, Decoy Duck Maker, oil on canvas, 40" x 48", The Milward Collection, photo courtesy Darrell Kincer

And, there's more Art Galleries fun to come, including this week's Opening Reception and NEXUS Dialogue for Visual Theatre: Celebrating Irene Corey, taking place this THURSDAY, MARCH 8, from 5-7PM in the Cochenour Gallery.  See you there!

Morning with the Milwards

Due to the cancellation of our opening and other scheduled events for Friday, March 2, we were unable to welcome the community to our galleries. However....

from left: gallerist Greg Ladd, Jan Crouch, Luanne Milward, John Milward, and Earl Grey

this morning I met with John and Luanne to show them the exhibition featuring works from their collection, "A Passionate Pursuit: The Milward Collection." We were accompanied by Greg Ladd, owner of Cross Gate Gallery (thank you, Greg for coming in from Florida for this visit!), and Jan Crouch, our college's First Lady and host for our reception (scheduled for last night, but to be rescheduled). Intern Julie Jones, class of 2010, and her beau Tyler joined us as well.

We enjoyed a look around together and came up with a few ideas for additional events to host in the coming weeks, including the re-scheduled exhibition opening and reception as well as a guided tour of this collection with Greg Ladd. Students in the course "The Art of Collecting" will be interested in these events particularly. And, props were given to the students for their research thus far on the artists and works in the show.

Stay tuned for further details about more Milward events.

PS: Thanks to prospective student, Emily, and her family for joining us this morning as well.

Final Call: Milward Installation

There's plenty more to do in finalizing the installation of "A Passionate Pursuit: The Milward Collection"; however, the final painting was hung on Wednesday evening. Many thanks to Portia, Terrell, and Devon for assisting Laura, Bill, and me with the installation this evening.

The exhibition is the second installment in our "Year of the Collector" exhibition and event series. The first was the installation of works from the estate of June Daves McCandless, class of 1937, curated by Hannah Snider (class of 2011). The next event will be the exhibition celebrating the life and art of Irene Corey. Area collectors will gather to share their stories of this artist and former GC faculty member next Thursday, March 8. That event is part of the Women's History Month celebration as well. Following this, further events are planned.

Join us on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. as we welcome John and Luanne Milward and their family to the Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery. Stop by the gallery this Friday to meet Mr. Milward and to share his passion for collecting! If you need more information, read Caitlin's article in the Georgetonian here.

love shows

Amidst the passion of this week's installation for A Passionate Pursuit: The Milward Collection, (don't miss the opening reception Friday evening, 6-8pm in the Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery), another group of collectors will be lending works of art to Georgetown College for the next exhibition in the Cochenour Gallery, Visual Theatre: Celebrating Irene Corey. 

Image: Tobacco Leaf detail, 1953, oil on canvas by Irene Corey; postcard design by GC Art's own Elizabeth Metcalf

Georgetown residents Ms. Sis Curry, Ms. Maribeth Hambrick and Ms. Carolyn Johnson, along with Lexingtonians James and Mary McCormick, have all graciously agreed to let the Georgetown College Art Galleries borrow works by former art department chair, Irene Corey.  Among other exciting creations in the world of theatrical make-up and costume design, this talented artist developed the guise of Barney, the loveable purple dinosaur, as well as the Chik-fil-A cows.  Learn more about Irene Corey from friends who not only collected her artwork, but who also knew and loved her, during the opening reception on Thursday, March 8, from 5-7pm with NEXUS dialogue event at 5:30.