18 Sep 2012

Figge to host "Is My Black Beautiful?" Symposium

By Rick Martin

Panel to Discuss Concepts that Define Black Beauty

Davenport, IOWA (September 2012) On Saturday, September 22 the 3-part symposium, "Is My Black Beautiful?" will be held at the Figge Art Museum. Inspired by the exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture, this symposium will begin at 1pm with a panel discussion moderated by community leader Bobbie Lastrapes and will include local African American women spanning sixty years in age. The panel participants will be Ashley Anderson, Jackie Foy-Baker, Earnice Hines, Johnnie Marie Woods, Mary Teague and LaDrina Wilson.

The panel will discuss the ever-changing concepts that define black beauty in the context of fashion and time and will reflect on what it means and has meant to be beautiful in the traditional sense and also on a personal level. Audience members will be encouraged to contribute their thoughts and add to the conversation.

Following the panel discussion, participants will visit the exhibition Posing Beauty for an informal tour, led by Figge associate curator Rima Girnius, Ph.D. Following the tour there will be a reception with refreshments and performances by the Imani! Dancers & Studio for Cultural Arts, Inc. The Imani! Dancers is a non-profit Christian arts organization specializing in Afro-modern, lyrical, and creative dance.

Symposium Schedule

1-2 pm          Panel Discussion, Moderator: Bobbie Lastrapes

2-3 pm          Gallery Talk Led by Rima Girnius, PhD, Figge Art Museum associate curator

3-4:30 pm     Reception and informal performances by the Imani! Dancers & Studio for Cultural Arts, Inc

The symposium is free with paid admission or museum membership; museum admission will be reduced to $4 until 2pm on Saturday, September 22. No registration is required. To learn more call Melissa Hueting, director of education, at 563.326.7804x7895 or email mhueting@figgeartmuseum.org.

About Posing Beauty in African American Culture 

Posing Beauty in African American Culture explores the contested ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts through diverse media including photography, film, video, fashion, advertising and other forms of popular culture such as music and the Internet. Throughout the Western history of art and image-making, the relationship between beauty and art has become increasingly complex within contemporary art and popular culture.

The images in this exhibition challenge idealized forms of beauty in art by examining their portrayal and exploring a variety of attitudes about race, class, gender, popular culture and politics as seen through the aesthetics of representation.

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m.  Thursdays the museum is open until 9pm. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit our website, www.figgeartmuseum.org.

-end-

18 Sep 2012

New this year at the Putnam!

By Jenna Smith

Calling all Junior Scientists - Putnam Explorers Jr.!

New this year, our Putnam Explorers Jr. program will take your young scientist on an adventure in science through stories, songs and exciting hands-on activities that are sure to spark curiosity and imagination. Each month we'll dabble in a different dimension to bring science to life with engaging experiments, fun activities, games and fun surprises!

Putnam Explorers Jr. is a once-a-month science club for kids Pre-K through 1st Grade (must be age 4 by September 30, 2012). We'll meet one Saturday each month from 9 - 10:30 a.m., October through April. Purchase the fall season package of three classes for $22 ($15/Putnam Members) or the spring season package of four classes for $28 ($20/Putnam Members). Individual class sessions may be purchased for $8 ($6/Putnam Members).

FALL SEASON

October 6: Weather Workx Jr.
It's not your typical forecast! Get ready to twist, rumble and get wet as learn all about how weather workx in our world.

November 3: Animation Exploration Jr.
Cartoons are cool! Learn how artists make our favorite animated shows and movies come alive with their talents in both science and art - and of course make your own piece too!

December 1: The Element of FUN Jr.
We're wearing lab coats and safety glasses because this good time is not magic-It's science! Potions that change color, gel that flows UP... anything can happen in this laboratory of FUN!

SPRING SEASON

January 5: Build it Bash! Jr.
We hope you join this engineering party! Building is great - but this party is also about the BASH. Learn how the things we build can be strong - or not - with lots of hands on fun!

February 2: Blast Off! Jr.
Come to our out-of-this-world workshop today and explore space. We'll rocket through the morning with exciting activities about planets, our universe and of course, rockets!

March 2: The Universe Within! Jr.
Your body is an amazing machine! Discover what we look like on the inside and how doctors and others help keep us healthy.

April 6: Eggstravaganza Jr.

Join us for tons of fun with this symbol of new life and spring. Egg anatomy, eggs-periments, and eggy creations. It'll be an eggs-ellent adventure!

For more information or to register, call 563-324-1054 ext. 266.

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14 Sep 2012

Brucemore's Scarecrow Invasion

By Rick Martin

Celebrate the autumn harvest by building your own scarecrow for display on Brucemore's historic 26-acre property during the first Scarecrow Invasion. Scarecrow armatures are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (319) 362-7375 or visiting the Brucemore Store and Visitor Center. Armatures are $15 per individual, family, class, or non-profit organization; or $25 per for-profit business. Delivery is available for a fee to Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha addresses on October 5; all other scarecrows must be picked up at the Brucemore Store and Visitor Center. The public is invited to witness the invasion, October 13 through 27, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Vote for your favorite scarecrow October 13 through October 21. Winners will be announced on October 22 at 10 a.m.

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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14 Sep 2012

Muscatine Art Center welcomes Carol Ehlers

By Lynn Bartenhagen

The public is invited to join the Muscatine Art Center in welcoming Carol Ehlers, art history speaker, as she presents a 45 minute lecture on the art of the French Impressionist Edgar Degas. The lecture will take place Thursday, September 20 at 5:30 pm in the Muscatine Art Center's Music Room. Admission is free.

Edgar Degas was born on July 19, 1834 in Paris, France, the oldest of five children. Degas began to paint early in life and in 1853 he registered as a copyist in the Louvre. He exhibited at the Salon for the first time in 1865 but his painting gathered little attention.

At the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, Degas enlisted in the National Guard. During rifle training his eyesight was found to be defective and for the rest of his life his eye problems were a constant worry to him. From 1870 on Degas increasingly painted ballet subjects, partly because they sold well and provided him with needed income after his brother's debts had left the family bankrupt. He produced much of his greatest work during the decade beginning in 1874.

During his life, public reception of Degas' work ranged from admiration to contempt. He is considered one of the founders of Impressionism, though he preferred to be called a realist. His paintings, pastels, drawings, and sculptures are included in the collection of numerous museums around the world. Although Degas had no formal pupil he greatly influenced several important painters. His greatest admirer may have been Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

In 1992 the Muscatine Art Center's collections were significantly enriched by a gift of twenty-seven works of art by Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, Degas, Boudin, Chagall, Renoir, and other European artists. The collection was a gift from the estate of Mary Musser Gilmore in honor of her parents, Richard Drew Musser and Sarah Walker Musser. The paintings are on permanent display in the Laura Musser Mansion.

13 Sep 2012

'Design a Decal' Contest a Hit Statewide

By Rick Martin

Teachers Use Student-Designed Stickers to Reward Good Work

DES MOINES, IA (09/11/2012)(readMedia)-- Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) members around the state have used ISEA's student-designed stickers to celebrate student achievement and good work for over 27 years. Now in its 28th year, the popular Design-a-Decal program helps give statewide recognition to young art students when their winning designs are printed on stickers and teachers use them to give positive feedback to their students. With encouraging messages like "Thumbs Up" and "Aced It," the stickers get used on everything from homework assignments, to papers and projects.

Students competed in three, grade-level categories: elementary (K-5); junior high/middle school (6-8); and high school (9-12). The 24 winning designs are printed in full color on sheets of one-inch square stickers and each design is featured twice.

"The Design-a-Decal contest is one of our longest-standing programs because it's so much fun for the students. Art teachers who administer the program are very enthusiastic and the students who submit designs do a great job and love to participate, so it's a win-win for everyone. It's a wonderful way to encourage creativity. The end result is stickers our members can use on homework and other assignments to encourage more great work," said Tammy Wawro, president of the ISEA.

The students who created the designs used on the decal sheets receive two plaques from the ISEA-one they keep and one to be displayed at their school.

(A listing with names of the schools, supervising art teacher, and students whose designs were selected for use on the decal sheets is attached. Also attached is a picture of the winning decals.)

The ISEA is a private, professional organization made up of almost 34,000 educators who are dedicated to promoting and preserving public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic.

13 Sep 2012

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site Will Host a Lecture Series on Geology in the National Parks

By Adam Prado
WEST BRANCH, IOWA– In recognition of President Herbert Hoover's interest in
geology and conservation, Dr. Richard Baker will present a series of four
lectures about geology in our national parks, focusing on Yellowstone
(October 24), Grand Canyon (November 14), Glacier (January 23), and
Dinosaur and Badlands (February 27). Dr. Baker is a professor emeritus in
the Geoscience Department at the University of Iowa. He completed his
doctorate research at Yellowstone National Park. He has traveled to many of
our national parks and has taught a course on them at the University of
Iowa. The lecture series is free and meets at the visitor center of Herbert
Hoover National Historic Site from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Before he became famous as a humanitarian and later as President of the
United States, Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou Henry Hoover graduated from
Stanford University with degrees in geology. Herbert Hoover turned his
formal education into a successful career as a mining engineer and wrote
books and articles about mining. The two Hoovers even translated from Latin
the 16th century mining book De Re Metallica,published one hundred years
ago in 1912. Herbert Hoover also enjoyed outdoor recreation and valued
conservation of natural resources. During Hoover's presidency from 1929 to
1933, the size of our national forests expanded by more than two million
acres and the land area of our national parks and monuments increased by 40
percent.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential
Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are
open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Parking is limited so please
allow extra time to find a parking space. For more information go online at
www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.


Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
110 Parkside Drive
PO Box 607
West Branch, Iowa  52358

319 643-2541 phone
319 643-7864 fax
www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Herbert-Hoover-National-Historic-Site/141181735922424
09 Sep 2012

Free Iowa Day at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

By Diana Baculis

(Cedar Rapids, IA) After being devastated in the 2008 Flood, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library re-opened an elevated and expanded facility to visitors on July 14 of this year. Rebuilding took four years and one month and was funded through state, federal and private funds. Nearly 70% of the monies raised came from Iowans. As a thank-you to the many people of the state, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is hosting a free museum day for all Iowans on Saturday, Sept. 15.

"When the high water receded, we took stock of what we saved, what we lost and what was ahead of us for the future. There was never any doubt that we would return as a museum and library and that we would continue to tell the story of Czech and Slovak history and culture," said President/CEO Gail Naughton. "Now that we're open and hosting three exhibitions along with the stunning Alphonse Mucha: Inspirations of Art Nouveau, we'd like to thank the many Iowans who made it possible. We could never have accomplished what we did without their help and support."

Iowa visitors of all ages are welcome to view the new museum and tour the galleries, see the two films in the theater, visit the library and shop in the museum store. An Iowa I.D. such as a driver's license or college I.D. is required for the free admission.

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids, IA. For more information visit www.NCSML.org or call 319-362-8500.

09 Sep 2012

All-Access Mansion Pass: The Nooks and Crannies Tour of Brucemore

By Tara Richards

Visit every floor, peek into closed rooms, and satisfy curiosity through this all access pass to the Mansion during the Nooks and Crannies Tour, Brucemore's most popular specialty tour, Saturdays, October 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 9:30 a.m.Marvel at the Skinner pipe organ room, discover the architecture and oddities in the attic, and experience the sight and sound of a "rain storm" in the basement Tahitian Room. Examine the superior craftsmanship and learn about ongoing preservation work.

Advance ticket purchase for the Nooks and Crannies Tour is required. Space is limited. Purchase tickets online at www.brucemore.org, by calling (319) 362-7375, or by visiting the Brucemore Store and Visitor Center. Admission is $15 per person and $12 for Brucemore members.  The tour is not recommended for children under 10 or individuals who have difficulty walking or climbing stairs.  

 

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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07 Sep 2012

Brucemore's Historic Neighborhood Walk

By Rick Martin

Did you know the land surrounding Brucemore was originally developed as the first golf course in Cedar Rapids? Or that the world famous Iowa artist Grant Wood designed windows, murals, and woodwork, leaving his mark on the interiors of several Cedar Rapids homes?  Listen to fascinating stories about the various homes and discover the rich history and architecture of the neighborhood just outside the estate's gates on Brucemore's Historic Neighborhood Walk?Thursday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 6 at 10:00 a.m.

Admission is $15 per person and $12 per Brucemore member and includes a Historic Neighborhood Tour flipbook. Space is limited. Advance ticket purchase required. Purchase tickets online at www.brucemore.org, by calling (319) 362-7375, or visiting the Brucemore Store and Visitor Center. Self-guided Historic Neighborhood Tour flipbooks will be available for purchase in the Brucemore Store on October 8, including homes from all four years of this specialty neighborhood tour.

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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07 Sep 2012

The Figge Presents Posing Beauty in African American Culture

By Susan Horan

September 8 - November 4, 2012

Davenport, IOWA (September 2012) The Figge Art Museum is pleased to present Posing Beauty in African American Culture, an exhibition that explores the contested ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts through a diverse array of media including photography, video, fashion, and advertising. Posing Beauty opens on Saturday, September 8 and runs through November 4, 2012.

Throughout the Western history of art and image-making, the relationship between beauty and art has become increasingly complex within contemporary art and popular culture. The images in this exhibition challenge idealized forms of beauty in art by examining their portrayal and exploring a variety of attitudes about race, class, gender, popular culture and politics as seen through the aesthetics of representation.

This exhibit features approximately 50 works drawn from public and private collections, and the accompanied book, published by W.W. Norton, will be for sale in the Museum Store. Artists in the exhibit include, among others, Carrie Mae Weems, Charles "Teenie" Harris, Gary Winogrand, Renee Cox, Mickalene Thomas and Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe.

The Figge partnered with St Ambrose University, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Gathering of Women, RI County NAACP, and Imani! Dancers & Studio for Cultural Arts, Inc. to develop programs for this exhibition. "Posing Beauty is a provocative and thoughtful sharing between African American women on their struggle to define their 'beautifulness' and to share their  personal feelings with other 'sistas' on how their 'beautifulness' have been defined and continue to be refined," said Liz Sherwin, President RI County NAACP. Shirleen Martin, founder of Gathering of Women, also worked closely with the Figge Education Department to develop programming for this exhibition. "Beauty is both internal and external and the true beauty of a Black Woman is worthy of all the attention and exploration that the world can offer," stated Martin.

An exhibition reception for Posing Beauty in African American Culture will be held at 6pm on Thursday, September 27.  Following the reception, exhibition curator Dr. Deborah Willis will lead the discussion "Posing Beauty in African American Culture." Willis is chair and professor of photography and imaging at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, where she also has an affiliated appointment with the College of Arts and Sciences, Africana Studies. Willis, a 2000 McArthur Fellow, is one of the nation's leading historians of African American photography and a curator of African American culture.

Posing Beauty in African American Culture is curated by Deborah Willis and organized by Curatorial Assistance Traveling Exhibitions, Pasadena, California. The exhibition is sponsored locally by the Riverboat Development Authority and Hunt and Diane Harris.

Related Programming

The Figge Art Museum will present a variety of special programming to enhance the visitors' experience of Posing Beauty in African American Culture. Admission to all programs is included with museum admission or museum membership, unless otherwise noted.

Special Workshop
"As Seen through the Lens"

7 pm Thursday, September 20

Local photographers Mark Mess and John Mohr will discuss selected photographs from the exhibition followed by a live photo shoot with public participation.

Symposium

"Is My Black Beautiful?"

1-4:30 pm Saturday, September 22

A panel discussion on the ever-changing concepts that define black beauty in the context of fashion and time.

1-2 pm • Panel Discussion, Moderator: Bobbie Lastrapes

2-3 pm • Gallery Talk • Led by Rima Girnius, PhD, Figge Art Museum associate curator

3-4:30 pm • Reception and informal performances by the Imani! Dancers & Studio for Cultural Arts, Inc

Inspired by the exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture, this symposium will begin with a panel discussion moderated by community leader Bobbie Lastrapes and will include local African American women spanning sixty years in age, all of whom will be reflecting on what it means and has meant to be beautiful in the traditional sense and also on a personal level. Audience members will be encouraged to contribute their thoughts and add to the conversation. Following the panel discussion, participants will visit the exhibition for an informal tour, led by Figge curator Rima Girnius, after which there will be a reception and performances by the Imani! Dancers & Studio for Cultural Arts, Inc. Refreshments will be served.

Exhibition Reception
5:30-7 pm Thursday, September 27
Join the Figge staff in celebrating the opening of the exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture. Refreshments will be served, cash bar.

Curator Discussion
"Posing Beauty in African American Culture"
7 pm Thursday, September 27

Exhibition curator Dr. Deborah Willis will talk about the contested ways in which African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts through a range of media including photography, film, video, fashion, advertising and other forms of popular culture such as music and the Internet. The lecture will explore contemporary under- standings of beauty by framing the notion of aesthetics, race, class and gender within art, popular culture and political contexts.

Deborah Willis, PhD, is chair and professor of photography and imag- ing at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, where she also has an affiliated appointment with the College of Arts and Sciences, Africana Studies. Willis, a 2000 McArthur Fellow, is one of the nation's leading historians of African American photography and curator of African American culture. Her most recent works are Posing Beauty-African American Images from the 1890s to the Present; Michelle Obama, The First Lady in Photographs; and Black Venus 2010: They Called Her 'Hottentot' (editor).

Lecture
"Posing Questions: Inquiring About Portrait Photography for Personal Meaning Making"

7 pm Thursday, October 11

Ann Rowson Love, director of Western Illinois University-Quad Cities Museum Studies Program, will lead a discussion about interpreting portraiture from a variety of perspectives and current graduate students will demonstrate approaches.

Reception

SAU "Race Matters" Reception
6-7 pm Thursday, October 18

Mingle with fellow art-enthusiasts before the evening's lecture about the exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture. Refreshments will be served, cash bar. This reception and the talk that follows is offered in conjunction with St. Ambrose University's yearlong series, "Race Matters" and is co-sponsored by the Women's Studies Department at St. Ambrose University.

Lecture
"You Look Beautiful Like This: Selling Race and Heritage to Chicago's African American Community in the Era of the New Negro"
7 pm Thursday, October 18

Scholar Kimberly Glenn will discuss the New Negro Movement, a blossoming of the arts founded on the premise of African American empowerment and pride in African heritage, which took root in the mid-1920s. This lecture will explore how the ideal of black womanhood was championed through the advertisements of new beauty products that promoted African and African American aesthetic sensibilities with regard to hair and complexion during this time period.


College Night
6-9 pm Thursday, October 25

Inspired by the exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture, this event will feature a variety of activities that encourage students to explore identity and personal expression. This event is free to college students, faculty and staff.

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