Tag Archives: Art

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – March 12-15, 2010

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Cowboys, Chihuly and Curiosity

Music & Memorial

Four Days in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Hearing we were headed to Oklahoma people often inquired why. They would be surprised by how positive, educational and entertaining we’ve found our experiences. We came to Oklahoma City primarily to visit a couple of museum and become acquainted with the community. Mission accomplished.End of the Trail Sculpture

Highlights:

  • Edgar Cruz Concert – seeing this talented guitarist live in a casual setting was a real bonus; and, he’s as personable as he is talented. A  great evening.
  • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – The reputation of this major facility was a major priority on the trip. We expected to spend at least a half day; instead, we arrived 1/2-hour after opening at 10am and where there until closing at 5pm. Many of exhibits deserved even more time.
  • Ceiling Oklahoma City Museum of Art – The large and comprehensive Dale Chihuly glass collection is a must see.
  • Oklahoma City National Memorial – A sobbering tribute of the 168 innocent victims killed in the April 1995 bombing of the Murrah building. Our visit was too late in the day to also visit the museum but I’m sure it is also very moving.
  • Science Museum Oklahoma – Hundreds of interactive exhibits and activities plus IMAX theater,Science Museum - Falling Featherplanetarium, Science Live! presentations and two halls of fame. It seemed like every family in Oklahoma choose  the Science Museum for  the first day of spring break.
  • Mama Roja’s Mexican Kitchen – When the wait Saturday night was 2 hours we went elsewhere; but returned Sunday to good food and margaritas and exceptional service.
  • Staybridge Suites at Quail Springs – So comfortable we extended our stay – and, a great value on weekends.

Additional Activities:

  • Dining on Persimmon Hill – Within the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the restaurant offers either a lunch buffet or menu items.
  • Swadley’s BBQ – Recommended by the hotel desk clerk; nothing fancy but tasty and reasonably priced.
  • OK Capitol and Oil Well State Capitol Photos – Stopped by the Oklahoma capitol building Sunday morning for photos of the classical structure, on-site oil well and Allan Houser sculpture.
  • Steak ‘n Shake in Edmond – A Steak ‘n Shake visit is always a step back to my youth.

If we hadn’t both been fighting colds and I was gimping around with a bad knee reminiscent of Chester on Gunsmoke we would have done even more. Perhaps next time!

*Travel Log* – Bartlesville, Oklahoma – March 18, 2010

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Wright & Western Wonders

We made a day trip from Tulsa to Bartlesville combining a hardy dose of Frank Lloyd Wright and an afternoon of Western heritage at Woolaroc, the former ranch retreat of oilman Frank Phillips circa 1925.

Price Tower 66 Price Tower in downtown Bartlesville holds the distinction of being the only realized skyscraper designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Commissioned by Harold C. Price, the 19-story structure opened in 1956. Today the building hosts offices, The Inn at Price Tower, Copper Bar and the Price Tower Art Center.

From Bartlesville we drove westward to the Osage Hills. Although the multitude of trees stand bare the last week of official winter we easily imagine the beauty of the area in leafy green or the colors of autumn. Woolaroc – the name derived from the words: woods, lakes, rocks – encompasses 3,600 acres. Visitors discover a diverse hidden gem featuring wildlife preserve, museum celebrating the American West, Phillip’s historic lodge home, petting barn, mountain man camp, picnic sites and walking trails.

*Additional Bartlesville HighlightsWoolaroc Bison

*Recommended Eateries

*Travel Log* – Tulsa, Oklahoma – March 17, 2010

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 Another Day, Another Museum

Gilcrease Museum – Tulsa, Oklahoma


No Irish jig, Celtic music or corned beef for us this St. Patrick’s Day. Instead, we spent the day submerged in Western art at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa. Another day when we thought we would take in two museums but by 1pm we knew we needed the rest of the afternoon to finish at the Gilcrease.Gilcrease Museum

Permanent Exhibits include:

  • Enduring Spirit: Native American Artistic Traditions
  • The American West
  • Ancient Americans: Treasures from the Hispanic Heritage Collection
  • The Southwest
  • Kravis Discovery Center
  • Olaf Wieghorst
  • KS Ranch – Hands-on Kids Stuff

Featured Limited Time Exhibits include:

  • The Masterworks of Charles M. Russell: A Retrospective of Paintings and Sculpture – through May 2, 2010
  • The West of Olaf Seltzer – through August 29, 2010
  • Unconquered: Allan Houser and the Legacy of One Apache Family  – through March 21, 2010

Gilcrease Sculpture We took a break from the exhibits for a pleasant lunch at The Restaurant at Gilcrease overlooking sculptures in the garden and wooded rolling hills. White table linens, sparkling stemware, initialed charger plates and a professional, well-trained staff create an elegant yet comfortable ambiance. The menu offered interesting options from a bison burger, vegetarian quiche or Santa Fe chicken salad to lobster yellow corn soup.

As the volunteer at the information desk said, “It’s good for people to find out we’re not a cultural desert in Oklahoma.”

Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market – Phoenix, AZ

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    52nd Indian Fair & Market
    Heard Museum – Phoenix
             March 6 & 7, 2010

One of the country’s premier Indian fairs and markets attracts collectors to the Heard Museum grounds in downtown Phoenix the first weekend of March.

More than 700 Native American artists display a vast array of original arts and crafts.

Umbrella for Shade

 

* Beadwork

* Carvings

* Jewelry

* Paintings

* Pottery

* Rugs

* Sculpture

* Textiles

 

Basket Hat Lady

 The artisans come from all over America, not just Arizona. To participate each artist must be jurored into the show, a prestigious acknowledgement of the quality of their work.

A basket weaver from the Pacific Northwest Coast creations represent traditional woven items of the region.

While Southwest Indian art is well represented. Tribal members from around the country exhibit contemporary and traditional art forms.

 

Booths Rows and rows of booths and large exhibit tents gives each artist individual space to display their work. Whether one is a serious collector or just looking for an inexpensive keepsake shoppers get to met the person who created their chosen purchase.

 

Hopi Baskets

The green yucca plant is an important material for Hopi basket makers. This Hopi artist was happy to explain the process from gathering the natural materials to finished product.

The more we learn the more we appreciate the time, talent and skill involved in creating each piece. Many of the traditional designs have been passed down through several generations. Artists often say they first learned from their grandmothers.

 

 

Silversmith Throughout the weekend artist demonstrations let us view the creative process. Whether it’s working a flat piece of silver into a lovely necklace or transforming a lump of clay into a pottery figurine shoppers enjoy watching the artists at Pot Polisherwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sash Weaver Questions are willingly answered. As we talk with the artists we witness an unique balance of modesty and pride in their art form.

Music, including R. Carlos Nakai, and dance performances give attendees a  break from shopping. There is so much to take in we find it helpful to switch focus from time to time.

Each year a different tribal group is featured, the Hopi in 2009 and bands of the Apache people in 2010. “Apache Peoples and Arts” will highlight elder artists, food, a wikieup (traditional Apache lodging), and storytelling by Apache entertainer Ken Duncan.

 

Hope Piki

What would an event be without food? Not to worry, there are plenty of opportunities to nosh our way through the day. Of course, there is traditional Indian fry bread. We fascinated to watch the Hopi piki maker. Piki is a thin rolled bread made with fine blue corn flour and culinary ash. The maker spreads a thin layer of the batter on a hot griddle with her hand. Almost immediately the practically transparent layer of piki is ready to be rolled. Watching the labor intensive steps we understand why this is a rare treat.

 

Stirring the Pot

Apache acorn soup will be available in 2010 as well as selections ranging from Cajun and Mexican specialties to gelato. Tables in the tree shaded courtyard are the perfect place for people watching as we have lunch.

Lunch Break

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indian Fair tickets include admission to the ten galleries of the Heard Museum. However, we found so much to do and see at the Fair & Market that the museum had to wait for another day.

Gates swing open for general admission both Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am – 5pm.

 

Museum Entrance

 

Sculpture

Desert Botanical Garden – Phoenix, Arizona

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Free Garden Visit

Cactus Fan Residents and visitors in the Phoenix/Scottsdale region can enjoy a FREE visit to the Desert Botanical Garden tomorrow, February 9, 2010, from 1-8pm. The garden occupies 50 acres of Papago Park, and is home to a broad collection of desert plants and foliage. Join a free docent tour to learn secrets and myths of common and rare species.

Themed trails through the acres include the Desert Discovery Loop, Desert Wildflower Loop, Herb Garden, Sonoran Desert Nature Loop and

Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Loop Trail. Take a leisurely break at the Patio Cafe for lunch or afternoon Three Red Spikesrefreshment. 

In cooperation with the Heard Museum an exhibit of Allan Houser’s bronze sculptures currently enriches the garden experience. A renowned Native American artist, Houser gained world-wide recognition for his modernistic works before his death in 1994.

Houser Sculpture

Whether you can take advantage of the February 9, 2010 FREE day or not put the Desert Botanical Garden on your “To Do” list while in Phoenix.

Click to see a slide show of Desert Botanical Gardens images.

Previous Desert Botanical Garden Posts

Chihuly: The Nature of Glass by Night

Dale Chihuly Nature of Glass Exhibit

Littleton Museum – Littleton, Colorado

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A Walk Through Littleton History

Living history, fine arts, historic farms, nature, cultural events – the Littleton Museum provides an outstanding showcase for the suburban Denver community. The museum contains four galleries. The Permanent Exhibition Gallery relates the “Littleton Story from the gold ruLittleton Museum Interiorsh days of 1859 to current space exploration. A 13-minute orientation video sets the stage for an initial visit. One of the features we enjoy is that not not all the items on display are century-old antiquities. Articles from a couple of decades ago or just a few years past stimulate the “remember when” response.

The Changing Exhibition Gallery displays themed exhibits from the museum’s own collections or traveling exhibitions. We recently visited A Double-Edged Weapon – the Sword as Icon and Artifact. Knowing Bob would find this of interest I wasn’t anticipating being engaged by the subject. However, there’s always a however in life  – I learned as much or more than Bob did during the visit. Maybe that was because of my low starting point. I hear that weaving will be the focus of the next exhibit in this Gallery.

The Fine Arts Gallery hosts shows of original art and photography. The always popular annual "Eye of the Camera" exhibition by the Littleton Fine Arts Committee is scheduled for February 23 – April 4, 2010.

Littleton Museum Cow - B The Kid’s Connection Gallery welcomes the youngest visitors with hands-on activities. But, don’t be surprised if what the kids really want to do is get outdoors and visit the two period farms.

The 1860 farm depicts Littleton’s settlement era. A log cabin and barn, sheep shed, pig shelter, chicken coop, root cellar and farm animals give visitors a realistic view of pioneer life along the South Platte River. We were amused during a visit when the resident cat walked into the cabin, jumped onto the window-front table and curled into a cozy basket. The same day we met a 3-year-old “regular” who knew all the animals by name.

A circa 1910 ice house and Littleton’s restored first schoolhouse are located along the shores of Ketring Lake. On the north side of thLittleton Museum 1890 Farmhourse - Be lake stands the 1890 farm. The developments and differences in only thirty years are dramatic. The 1890 house is constructed of milled lumber and designed with separate rooms: kitchen, dining, bedrooms, parlor, even porches. We note the wood-burning kitchen stove, kerosene lighting, decorative wallpaper and piano – items not found in the circa 1860 cabin.

Littleton Museum Blacksmith Just as in 1903, the blacksmith shop is a popular gathering place. Almost every day the museum is open visitors find a blacksmith busy at work making repairs or tools and materials Littleton citizens would have needed in the early 20th century. The living history interpreters eagerly answer questions and share details of life in early Littleton.

Special events and hands-on programs further enrich the museum experience. Try your hand milking the cow, make a Victorian valentine or help with farm chores. Upcoming special events include Dairy Day on March 27th, Sheep to Shawl April 17th and Plowing and Planting scheduled for May 15.

Whether viewing contemporary art or stepping back to 1860 we always find something of interest at the Littleton Museum.

Map picture

Denver Art Museum – Denver, Colorado

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Finimageal Week – Charles M. Russell Exhibition

Only one more week to see the retrospective show of paintings, bronze sculptures and letters of American artist Charles M. Russell at the Denver Art Museum. The exhibition of over 60 important pieces was co-organized by the Denver Art Museum’s Petrie Institute of Western American Art and Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Self Portrait, 1900. Watercolor on paper.
Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming.

 

I’ve seen Russell’s work in numerous venues including private collections, Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming and the CM Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. The current show in Denver offers a perspective imageinto Russell’s growth as an artist. I found it fascinating to examine a series of Buffalo Hunt oils painted over a span of 24 years – a graphic demonstration of Russell’s evolving experiences,technique, palette, and increased usage of accurate detail. I can almost taste the dust and feel the vibrations of thundering hoofs.

                                                                                Buffalo Hunt [No. 39], 1919. Oil on canvas.
                                                                                 Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.

Russell was known for the illustrated letters he sent to friends and family. Ones included in the exhibit collect an interested audience. Russell’s creativity is demonstrated not just in tRussell Letter Coverhe artwork but also his spelling, no doubt a result of his lack of formal education. Although he was from a well-to-do St. Louis family he had little interest in school and left home at age 16 to work on a  Montana Territory sheep ranch and later as a cowhand. Russell’s works depicted his life, work and love of the American West – wildlife, landscapes, native life, trappers, cowboys, lawmen and outlaws.

 Book cover Charles M. Russell, Word Painter

The Masterworks of Charles M. Russell: A Retrospective of Paintings and Sculpture is well worth the effort to make it to the Denver Art Museum in the next few days. After closing in Denver the exhibition will travel to the Gilcrease Museum, February 6 – May 2, 2010, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, June 6 – August 29, 2010.

When You Go: The Denver Art Museum’s Russell exhibit runs through Sunday, January 10, 2010 and is included in the general museum admission fee. The Denver Art Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, check their website for hours.

Corrales, New Mexico

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So Near – Yet A World Away

One of our favorite Albuquerque area destinations is the nearby village of Corrales. Although suburbia quickly approaches, Corrales maintains its 300-year-old rural ambiance along the banks of the Rio Grande River. In the fall roadside stands San Ysidro Church - Corralesoffer pumpkins, apples, pears, and jugs of cider.

Photographers and artists gravitate to the Old San Ysidro Church. The picturesque restored adobe now serves as a community center. A stroll through the annual fine arts exhibit that coincides with Balloon Fiesta enriches a leisurely afternoon.

The village supports a number of unique galleries and shops. We always like to stop into the artist-owned Corrales Bosque Gallery. Among the original works from jewelry to visual arts in a variety of media there’s always something that captures my imagination. Hanselmann Pottery sells their wares on the honor system. I’m not a quilter but love to walk through the colorful fabrics at Quilts Ole.

Casa San Ysidro - Interior Behind adobe walls, Casa San Ysidro holds a treasure trove of early New Mexico. The replicated rancho was home to Alan and Shirley Minge from 1953-1997. Today the rambling house, furnishings, and extensive historic and artistic collections are an extension of the Albuquerque Museum. From the kitchen’s wood-burning cookstove to the altar in the capilla, or chapel, tours (by reservation) relate the fascinating stories behind artifacts and architectural details.

Locally owned restaurants, wineries and bed and breakfasts ensure creature comforts while we savor the rural New Mexico ambiance.

Hanselmann Pottery – Corrales, New Mexico

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Pottery Purchases on the Honor System

While visiting the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, we often drive to Corrales for lunch and shopping.

Peering in the window at Hanselmann Pottery we spotted shapes and glazes much to our likingCinnamon Pottery. A bulletin board with purchasing instructions stands near the entrance. To our amazement, this unattended shop works on the honor system.

The Allen brothers, Tim and Fritz, have conducted business with this unique method since 1970. They stay busy in the on-site studio creating pottery dinnerware and accessories. The self-serve gallery keeps prices near wholesale cost.

A pattern named Cinnamon appeals to me with its earthtones and teal. I believe someone on my Christmas list would prefer Lavender Sky. What a fun way to shop for holiday gifts! Hanselmann Pie Plate

Instructions cover procedures for payment by cash, check and charge. We completed a sales form with pot ID# and price, added the total – tax is included in the price – sealed form and check in envelope, and deposited it into the designated slot. Packaging materials and a worktable are available for wrapping purchases. We left with our arms filled with pots and hearts warmed by the trusting, honor system way of doing business.

Hanselmann Pottery located at 4908 Corrales Road, approximately 12 miles northwest of downtown Albuquerque is  open 24/7 year round. We can also purchase from home 24/7 via their website.

Photos from Hanselmann Pottery.

Old Town Museums – Albuquerque, New Mexico

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So Much to Explore!

Three outstanding facilities stand without walking distance of each other. It couldn’t be easier to explore art, history, science, technology, natural history and astronomy. Time and energy runs out before we can do it all; but, the journey proves fascinating.

 

Albq Museum

 

Albuquerque Museum of Art & History An outstanding permanent collection and excellent temporary exhibits make this a repeat experience when visiting the city. A permanent exhibit, Four Centuries, covers 400 years of history in Albuquerque. The museum’s art collection emphasizes contemporary and historic regional artists. We’ve been fortunate enough to see several quality visiting exhibits over the years. The outdoor sculpture garden presents numerous styles and genres. Guided tours of galleries and garden are available. The education department sponsors informative walking tours of Old Town.

 

Explora! – An incredible, hands-on experience awaits learners of all ages interested in science, technology and art. Robotics lab to interactive fountain, principles of sound, motion, or electricity, this is a learning laboratory that fascinates tiny tots to senior citizens – a perfect multi-generation spot. Explora! is so popular with adults they get periodic adult-only Friday nights scheduled just for them. Visitors get so involved they spend twice as long as planned. This is truly an exception facility – a “have-to-do” while in Albuquerque.

  Explora3   Explora2Explora1

 

Dinosaur enthusiasts find the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science a must stop. We explore an ice cave, stand inside a volcano and ride the “EvolaAlb Natural History Museumtor” for a Journey Through Time, from Origins 200 million years ago to the Ice Age. Collections include the world’s longest dinosaur and oldest mammal fossil.

Within the museum, the Astronomy Center showcases a 55-foot diameter planetarium dome and high-definition imagery to explore our universe – and beyond. Permanent exhibits, Space Frontier and Making Tracks on Mars leads us through space exploration.

Wise visitors include a Dynatheater show during their touring. Sitting back to watch the giant screen presentation offers the perfect way to rest without wasting a minute. Mummies: Secrets of the Past is the current feature.