Galleries

“Crazy Quilts: Stitching Memories” Exhibit at IMA open through Jan. 7, 2018

May 10, 2017 by Naptown Buzz

Discover the popular and short-lived textile craze that created a lasting impact on the fashion industry with the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s new exhibition, Crazy Quilts: Stitching Memories.

In the 1880s, quilt makers became intrigued with the possibilities of patchworks that did not follow a specific structure. Random, asymmetrical patterns, contrasting thread colors and a collage of fabric scraps were hallmarks of these works. Creating these so-called “crazy” quilts was an artistic outlet for women—who were often engaged in domestic arts—to showcase their fashion sense and needlework skills. These bold and brightly colored quilts were proudly displayed in parlors when families entertained guests.

In addition to being highly technical works of art, crazy quilts also contained powerful and personal stories. The quilt makers captured memories by incorporating ribbons or scraps from dresses, men’s silk ties and other items of clothing into their quilts. Initials or full names of family members were embroidered onto individual pieces of fabric, and some quilts featured portraits that were developed on silk or satin. Some quilts were memorial pieces, to honor the life of a certain person, or designed to mark a special occasion, such as a wedding.

“We are excited to exhibit these elaborate, highly decorative patchwork quilts that showcase their maker’s artistic sensibility, fashionable taste and skillful embroidery techniques,” said Niloo Paydar, exhibition curator and the IMA’s curator of textile and fashion arts.

The IMA has collected these quilts since the 1970s, but this is the first time they are being shown collectively.

“This exhibition has enabled us to collaborate with two other Indiana museums and borrow pieces from their collections to enhance the exhibition,” Paydar said.

On display in the exhibition are seven quilts from the IMA’s collection, along with three quilts borrowed from the Indiana State Museum. Also on display is a coat made from a repurposed antique crazy quilt and a Judith Leiber handbag, on loan from the Indiana University’s Sage Collection. The Sage Collection items showcase the lasting impact crazy quilts had on the fashion industry, as designers in the 1970s tried to recapture the patchwork styles popularized by the crazy quilts.

Members can learn more about the crazy quilts fad and its continued influence on the fashion world during a special Members Only talk with Paydar on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 2 p.m.

Crazy Quilts: Stitching Memories is on view through Jan. 7, 2018 in the Gerald and Dorit Paul Gallery.

SOURCE: Indianapolis Museum of Art

Eiteljorg’s Dogs: Faithful and True exhibit opens at the Museum on March 4

February 9, 2017 by Naptown Buzz

Robert F. Kuhn (American, 1920-2007) Reverberations, ca. 1991 Acrylic on board. 44 x 22 inches JKM Collection®, National Museum of Wildlife Art. © Estate of Robert F. Kuhn.

A new special exhibition at the Eiteljorg Museum captures the universal bond between people and dogs through art and interactive experiences that bring to life the many roles dogs have played in the American West: as companions, workers and heroes.

The exhibition, Dogs: Faithful and True, opens March 4 at the Eiteljorg, continues through August 6 and is geared toward visitors of all ages. It includes numerous striking works of art featuring dogs and activities families will enjoy, including:

paintings and sculptures of dogs and their people by Western artists
historic prints of dogs by 19^th-century naturalist John. J. Audubon
interactive video experiences on the diversity of dog breeds, a photo op where visitors can climb aboard a dogsled and children’s experiences such as loading and unloading dog packs
Native American objects that illustrate dogs’ role in transportation
historic and contemporary photographs and art works of dogs as workers, heroes and companions on ranches, reservations and other locales in the West.

Beyond visual art in the special exhibition gallery, Dogs: Faithful and True brings an active spring and summer of talks, programs and events with and about dogs that will excite and inspire families and all Eiteljorg visitors. Look for pet adoptions, demonstrations about dog obedience, mushing and herding, dog-centric films and workshops on pet photography and painting pet portraits. On April 7 and 8, Iditarod dogsled racer Karen Land, accompanied by one of her mushing dogs, will talk about her thrilling adventures in Alaska. Dog-friendly outdoor concerts under The Sails will be held at the museum each Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in June and July.

“Dogs and people enjoy a special bond, as many pet owners can attest,” said John Vanausdall, the museum’s president and CEO. “How dogs have shaped the West and Native America as protectors, companions and workers is a fascinating story that the public should not miss. With its lively mix of interactive experiences, art, history, culture and activities, Dogs: Faithful and True will make for a memorable visit. Whether you are a dog lover, an art enthusiast, a Western history buff or a family with children, you will find something to intrigue you at the Eiteljorg Museum.”

For the past year, the Eiteljorg curatorial staff worked to develop the Dogs: Faithful and True exhibition, drawing upon the museum’s permanent collection of Western and Native American art as well as securing fascinating objects – both historic and contemporary – on loan from other institutions and artists.

During the five-month run of the exhibit, community partners including the Humane Society of Indianapolis, faculty from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, the therapy-dog group Paws and Think and others are collaborating with the Eiteljorg on dog-related programming. The Eli Lilly & Company Foundation Inc. is the presenting sponsor of Dogs: Faithful and True; and other sponsors also support the exhibition. The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust is underwriting the animal-welfare programming. For a daily calendar of Dogs-related events – most included with regular museum admission — visit www.eiteljorg.org.

SOURCE: Eiteljorg Museum

Exotic orchids in bloom at the IMA Feb 10- Mar 5

February 8, 2017 by Naptown Buzz

Get a jump start on spring as vibrant colors and blooming flowers return to the Indianapolis Museum of Art this winter.

Indulge in Orchids: Cultivating Beauty, a lively display of colorful orchids from Feb. 10 through Mar 5. Experience these exotic flowers as they fill the Madeline F. Elder Greenhouse, the Lilly House and the galleries.

Escape the winter chill inside the Elder Greenhouse. This living gallery space will transform into a tropical paradise with hundreds of exotic orchids filling each room with bold colors.

New this year, the captivating orchid spectacle continues in the historic Lilly House and the galleries. As guests stroll through the mansion, stunning orchid displays and fragrances will fill each room on the first floor. The orchid experience continues in the IMA Alliance Gallery with the Lilly Collection of Orchids in Watercolors exhibition, which features a selection of 30 orchid watercolors collected by Josiah K. Lilly, son of the founder of Eli Lilly and Company. Now until July explore various types of orchids, such as cattleyas, oncidiums and paphiopediliums in this unique exhibition. Through these works guests will be able to discover botanical facts about orchids and learn more about the Lilly family’s interest in collecting and growing them.

Looking for your own pop of color to take home? Orchids will also be available for purchase at the Pop-Up Shop in the Bret Waller Gallery located inside the main museum building, where IMA staff and volunteers will be on hand to share advice on orchid care.

Explore the tasteful side of orchids in the IMA Café and through an expert-guided food tasting. Guests can also enjoy an evening in the Elder Greenhouse sampling wine and desserts inspired by the form, color and history of these fascinating plants at Toast to Tastings: Edible Orchids on Feb. 24. The IMA Café will feature orchid inspired menu items during the exhibition, including a candied ginger crème brûlée with a coconut whipped cream and orchid blossom topping, and a lavender agave glazed chicken romaine salad drizzled with a vanilla brown butter dressing.

For guests looking for extra tips on these rare flowers, the IMA will offer workshops on mounting, repotting and basic care for orchids on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25. Workshops are $50 and $60 for the public, with special discounts for IMA members.

Orchids: Cultivating Beauty is included with general admission and free for IMA members. During the opening weekend, IMA members will receive a special 20 percent discount in the Museum Store and in the Pop-Up Shop. This project is made possible by a generous gift from Lilly Endowment, Inc.

More blooms on the way
This spring, experience our campus as never before when the Gardens come alive with a quarter of a million flowers for Spring Blooms: Celebration of Color. Take a breathtaking stroll around the campus with each twist and turn unveiling a new splash of color from crimson tulips to golden daffodils and much, much more.

To learn more, visit www.imamuseum.org.

SOURCE: Indianapolis Museum of Art

IMA showcases powerful video by artist Mariam Ghani

September 12, 2016 by Naptown Buzz

A powerful work by video artist Mariam Ghani is now on display at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Created in response to the social unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, The City & The City acts as an arresting commentary on the critical issues of our time.

Narrated from the perspective of a murdered character, the video uses the environment of St. Louis to explore the themes of China Miéville’s noir novel of the same name. The novel portrays a city so fractured that it is effectively perceived and experienced by its residents as two separate cities. Ghani’s video, The City & The City (2015), serves as a modern allegory for the way many racially and economically divided cities often function. Repeated imagery of broken mirrors and abandoned buildings is used to symbolize the social divisions, inequalities and violence plaguing many modern American cities, as evidenced by the events that occurred this summer in Baton Rouge, suburban St. Paul and Dallas.

The City & The City is the final video installation in the IMA exhibition Mariam Ghani + Erin Ellen Kelly: Water, Land, City, a trilogy of works by Ghani in collaboration with choreographer and performer Erin Ellen Kelly. With each work on display for a four month period, The City & The City succeeds Like Water from a Stone (2014) and Landscape Studies: New Mexico (2008-2010), which explore respectively the landscapes of the Norwegian coast and New Mexico. Ghani’s evocative videos featuring diverse architectural and natural landscapes examine the distinct history and culture of each place. Known for her visually captivating imagery, Ghani’s videos create an all-encompassing experience for the viewer, using landscape, sound and the human body to tell a unique story of the site. In The City & The City, choreography by Erin Ellen Kelly, original score by composer and musician Qasim Naqvi and narration performed by Derek Laney, blend with Ghani’s striking visuals to tell the story of the city.

“In all her work, Ghani offers an exceptional consistency of artistic vision—an arrestingly beautiful aesthetic merged with a deep understanding of her chosen site,” said Tricia Y. Paik, curator of contemporary art at the IMA. “Ghani diligently researches her subject matter and renders each place through distinctly and memorably composed frames that allows the viewer to grasp the narrative she is shaping through minimal information. I believe Ghani is one of the best video artists of her generation.”

The IMA will host a public conversation with Mariam Ghani, Erin Ellen Kelly and Paik on Oct. 20. Ghani will also work with the IMA’s Teen Arts Council on a special project this fall. Using what they learn from their time with Ghani, Council members will create a participatory experience for the public to enjoy.

The video is on display in the Lori Efroymson Aguilera and Sergio Aguilera Gallery until Nov. 6.

SOURCE: Indianapolis Museum of Art

2016 Stutz Artists Open House April 29 & 30

April 25, 2016 by Naptown Buzz

The largest group of artists under one roof in the Midwest will open their studios and present their work to visitors during the Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House. The Open House is set to take place April 29 and 30 at the historic Stutz Business and Arts Center. The Open House, which began in 1993, attracts more than 6,000 people every year to the 400,000 square-foot former car factory.

This is an entertainment opportunity to engage families, art lovers and visitors alike looking for a weekend event to enjoy in downtown Indianapolis. The Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House not only allows guests an opportunity to see the work of 60+ local artists in one place at one time, it’s an opportunity to see where and how the artwork is created. Artwork ranges from paintings, drawings and photography, to sculpture, jewelry and furniture. This is the perfect time to buy one-of-a-kind gifts with artwork prices ranging from $12 to $10,000.

New this year, the Grand Tour of Artisan Autos is an opportunity to see and learn about the 28 vintage and collectible cars owned by Turner Woodard which are on display in this former Stutz Motor Car factory during the Open House. Locations and descriptions of the cars, including the 1914 Stutz Bearcat, will be available at the event entrances. Visitors will also enjoy special activities such as painting with Wine and Canvas, art demonstrations, live music and food vendors. The Warehouse, this year’s music partner, is an intimate live listening room music venue in Carmel, which will bring excellent regional and local entertainment to the Open House. The Raymond James Stutz Art Gallery on the first floor will feature FIRST STOP, an exhibition with sample work from many of the Stutz artists and the recommended first stop for experiencing the Open House.

Families with children are encouraged to attend on Saturday, April 30 from 2-7 p.m. This family-friendly event will include hands-on art activities, youth art scavenger hunt, free cookies from Raymond James, and more.

Friday, April 29, 5:30 – 10:30 PM
Saturday, April 30, 2:00 – 7:00 PM

Tickets are available for $12 in advance at the Stutz Business Office (1060 N. Capital Avenue, Suite C200) and select Old National Bank branches.

Tickets will be $15 at the door.

Dr. Seuss Hats Off Exhibition to Make Indianapolis Stop May 15-June 1, 2015

May 1, 2015 by Naptown Buzz

Few authors are better known than Theodor Seuss Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, yet, to this day, his Secret Art and his fantastical Hat Collection are virtually unknown to the general public. Throughout his lifetime, Ted Geisel created paintings and collected hats which he secreted away in a hidden closet at the Dr. Seuss Estate. This is the first time ever that Dr. Seuss’s hats have ever traveled outside his home.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s second book, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, a special Hats Off to Dr. Seuss! Exhibition has been mounted that combines these two secret collections. Audrey S. Geisel, the widow of Dr. Seuss, has generously opened up the Estate’s legendary “hat closet” to allow the public a peek at Dr. Seuss’s hat collection. These hats, along with the Secret Art, will travel the country and visit select venues throughout the next year.

Also arriving with this exhibition are signed Green Eggs and Ham: Would You? Could You? In a Car serigraph prints featuring the signature of famed celebrity racecar driver, Jeff Gordon, whose foundation – the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation – is dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric cancer. Mr. Gordon’s foundation funds programs that improve patients’ quality of life, treatments that increase survivorship, and medical research to find a cure.

The Hats Off to Hope! Campaign is a collaboration between Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Chase Art Companies, Random House Children’s Books and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, to bring hope, comfort and support to thousands of children currently battling cancer in the United States. Each purchase of a Jeff Gordon signed Would You? Could You? In a Car print will help Chase Art Companies to support Hats Off to Hope!

The collection will be on display from May 15th, 2015 through June 1st, 2015.

J.S. Yopp Gallery
8701 Keystone Crossing
Indianapolis, Indiana

Gallery/Mall Hours of Operation

Monday to Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm

Admission is Complimentary.

2015 Stutz Artists Open House April 24 & 25th

April 22, 2015 by Naptown Buzz

In April, when more than 70 artists at the Stutz spiff up their studios and display work for visitors to buy , it will mark the 22nd anniversary of what’s now the Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House.

The event began in 1993 when building owner Turner Woodard, an abstract painter himself, joined with a few other artists to host an open house. They threw some beer on ice and invited some friends.

Now, the event attracts 6,000+ people every year, bringing to the historic Stutz building art lovers of all types who welcome the chance to wander through artists’ studios.

Artwork ranges from paintings, drawings and photography, to sculpture, jewelry and furniture. In addition to being a great place to buy one-of-a-kind gifts, the event offers a rare chance to see vintage cars in the historic Stutz car factory. Visitors also enjoy special gallery opening activities such as acoustic music and food vendors.

Admission is $15 at the gate, and proceeds support the Stutz Residency Program, a scholarship that provides free studio space and utilities for emerging local artists. It is one of the largest grants to individual artists in the state. Advanced sale tickets are available for $10 at the Stutz Business Office.

Surrounding the largest group of artists under one roof in the Midwest, the exterior of the yellow brick buildings that comprise the complex have changed little since the Stutz motor car was made here. Located on an entire city block in downtown Indianapolis, the interior of the 400,000-square-foot former car factory has been renovated into studios and office space. The Stutz is now home to artists, designers, architects, creative professionals and other small businesses.

WHAT: Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House

WHEN: Friday, April 24, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 25, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

WHERE: Stutz Business Center, 212 W. 10th St., Indianapolis
Enter Bearcat Alley from 10th or 11th streets.
(Free event parking in designated lots and free on-street parking on Capitol and Senate avenues and 11th Street.)

COST: $12 in advance at select Old National Bank branches and at the Stutz offices; $15 on Eventbrite, $15 at the gate; children 12 and under free.

INFO: www.stutzartists.com, 317-503-6420

“Photography and the Violin” Opens Sept. 5 at the Stutz

August 14, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

The Raymond James Stutz Art Gallery has announced a new exhibition of photographs from the world of violin making by artist Todd Matus.

“Photography and the Violin” will open September 5.

The exhibition presents the intertwining of the art-making and violin-making careers of local master violin-maker and artist Todd Matus. The show consists of large format photographs documenting Todd’s experience during his travels in communist Eastern Europe and while establishing a violin atelier in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1994. Many of his photos depict their struggles to adapt to life after the end of the Soviet Union.

Also on exhibit are beautifully hand-crafted violins by Indiana master violin-makers: Alexander Leyvand, Ted Skreko, Chris Ulbricht and Todd Matus This exhibit takes place during the concurrence of the 2014 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, Sept. 5-21, and the 2014 Violin Society of America Conference and Competition, Sept. 16-21.

Indiana Artists Club Annual Exhibition Runs April 6 – June 8

March 17, 2014 by Naptown Buzz

The Indiana Artists Club, the oldest juried artists’ organization in the state, returns to the Indianapolis Museum of Art this spring for its 82nd annual exhibition. More than 40 works, out of more than 140 submissions, were selected by the Melvin & Bren Simon Director and CEO of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Dr. Charles Venable, and will be on display through the first week of June. Works are composed of a variety of styles and mediums both traditional and contemporary.

A free opening reception will be held on Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. immediately following the Presentation of Awards in the DeBoest Lecture Hall.

Admission is free.

For more information, visit indianaartistsclub.org.

First Friday at the Stutz to feature open studios and more

November 25, 2013 by April Abernathy

The Stutz Artists Association is offering a holiday version of its annual open house on Dec. 6 with 30 open artists’ studios, an exhibition featuring art for gift-giving and the second annual bicycle selection for artists participating in an upcoming competition.

For the first time ever on a First Friday in the evening, visitors will be able to roam the massive building to find approximately 30 studios in which artists will be hosting receptions from 6 to 9 p.m.

The “Splendid Menagerie” exhibition will be in part of the Raymond James Stutz Art Gallery on the first floor. It will feature small and large works created with gift giving in mind. Art will include paintings and graphics, jewelry of many different styles and materials, greeting cards, photography, and fabric arts including quilting and hand-dyed wall art.

Another part of the gallery will feature the “IDADA First in Line” show featuring snapshots of the people who bought artwork. IDADA will hold a reception and sale on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. Visit www.idada.org for more details.

Finally, the evening will be complete with the second annual bicycle selection for reCYCLE pARTS II, a juried art exhibit and competition in May 2014. One by one, participating artists will pick an entire bike starting at 7 p.m. Artists will draw a number at registration that determines the order of bicycle selection. All art in the show will be created using at least three pieces of the selected bicycle.

WHAT: First Friday at the Stutz featuring 30 open studios, “Splendid Menagerie” exhibition and artists’ bicycle selection for the second annual show featuring bicycle parts
WHERE: The Stutz Business Center, 212 W. 10th St. (Enter from 10th Street via alley)
WHEN: Dec. 6, 5-9 p.m.
COST: Free and open to the public
INFO: www.stutzartists.com or (317) 503-6420