February is no time to hibernate when there is so much to do in downtown Muskegon! For its part, the Muskegon Museum of Art continues its Finding Common Ground program series this month with exhibitions of art by African American artists, films, and guest speakers. The MMA’s Art Talk poetry competition, now in its fourth season, features works from Common Ground: African American Art and the MMA’s collection as subjects for poetry entries. The Postcard Salon, a treat for artists and art lovers, also returns this year. This non-competitive show will be open February 4 – 18 and ends with a reception and sale of hundreds of small-scale original artworks for only $30 each! Artists will be interested to know that Regional Exhibition artwork entry has gone to a digital process and is now open. Entries are due March 19 and the MMA staff will hold a “Regional 911” workshop for artists who would like help with the new entry process.
Thursdays, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Public Tours
Drop in for docent-led exhibition tours. MMA admission: $8 adult, $5 adult student with I.D., free for ages 3-17 and for MMA Members.
EXHIBITION through MARCH 20
Common Ground: African American Art From the Flint Institute of Arts, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and the Muskegon Museum of Art
Common Ground celebrates the mutual dedication of the Flint Institute of Arts, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, and the Muskegon Museum of Art to collect works by African American artists. Sixty paintings, sculpture, and works on paper, dating from the 19th century to the present, chronicle a cultural journey of nearly 200 years. The exhibition is organized into five themes: Gaining Access, New Self-Awareness, Political and Social Expressions, Examining Identities, and Towards Abstraction. These themes provide a broad overview of the history of African American art, from the talent and determination of the earliest artists who overcame daunting social challenges to internationally acclaimed work by leading contemporary artists.
The Muskegon presentation of Common Ground incorporates additional examples of African American art from the MMA’s own collection, further demonstrating home pride in the MMA’s treasures and our contribution to the cultural legacy of the City of Muskegon and West Michigan as a whole. Common Ground is underwritten by DTE Foundation and co-sponsored by Fifth Third and the Nancy A. Waters and Mark Waters Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Additional support is provided by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Through March 24
Art Talk: Regional Ekphrastic Poetry Competition
All adult/college area writers residing within the state of Michigan are invited to create original ekphrastic poems based on one of 10 artworks selected from the permanent collection and the Common Ground exhibition. Cash prizes, MMA memberships, and gift certificates will be awarded to the winning poets. Guidelines, images of selected works, and entry forms are available at the MMA gift store or may be downloaded from the MMA website at www.muskegonartmuseum.org. Entries must arrive at the MMA by March 24. Award winners will read their poems and be recognized at a ceremony on April 21. Questions? Call the MMA Education Department at 231.720.2587 or email: cmott@mpsk12.net.
EXHIBITION through April 17
I, Too, Am America: The Art of Bryan Collier
Each year, during the span between winter and spring, the MMA presents the work of an renowned book illustrator. This year’s exhibition features 15 original large scale illustrations created by Bryan Collier for his picture book, I, Too, Am America, illustrating the seminal poem by Langston Hughes. The exhibition will appeal to visitors of every age and offers opportunities to celebrate African American History Month in February and March Reading Month. Underwritten by the Folkert Family Foundation.
February 4 – 18, 2016
Postcard Salon Exhibition, Reception & Sale
The MMA’s popular Postcard Salon returns in 2016 with the opportunity to view hundreds of small-scale artworks by artists throughout the region, starting February 4. The short exhibition ends with a free Postcard Salon reception and sale on February 18. The reception starts at 5:30 pm with complimentary refreshments and a cash bar. Starting at 7:00 pm that night, guests can buy the artworks for $30 each. The Postcard Salon is sponsored by G&L Greek Chili Dogs and WGVU Public Media.
Thursday, February 4, 6:00-8:00 pm
Happy Hour Painting
Instructor: Marlan Cotner
$30/$25 member (includes materials and your first beverage)
Ages: 21 & up/ All skill levels
Join us for another round of painting and spirits this time we will focus on The Kiss, the famous painting by Gustav Klimt. This golden painting embraces the viewer and the subjects. Pre-registration is required. Call 231.720.2571 to register.
February 11, 12:15 pm
Brown Bag Film
All of Me: The Life and Times of Winfred Rembert
(78 mins.) In this documentary Winfred Rembert reflects on his life in the segregated south and how his life and art unfolded together. He works through memories and records them by tooling images on leather and then painting them with dye. The work is moving not only in emotion, but in rhythm, line, and movement. Brown Bag Films are free and sponsored by the Alcoa Foundation/Whitehall Operations.
February 11, 6:00 pm
An Evening with Winfred Rembert
Enjoy a special evening with Winfred Rembert, one of the newest artists in the collection of the Muskegon Museum of Art with Chain Gang Picking Cotton #2, and Vivian Ducat, the creator of the film, All Me: The Life and Times of Winfred Rembert. Rembert, a dynamic artist with a true talent and passion for his work, will talk about his life and art. He will be joined by Vivian Ducat, who worked with him initially to create a short eight-minute film that ultimately became a feature-length documentary of Rembert’s family, his trials, and his artwork. Rembert and Ducat will discuss the film with the audience after the film. This event is free and is part of the MMA’s Finding Common Ground program series, made possible by the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts.
February 13, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Mini Masterpieces Super Saturday
See how tiny artworks pack a punch in the Postcard Salon and the MMA’s permanent collection during this free family fun day.
10:00 am & 1:00 pm
Film: The Borrowers
(75 mins.) A miniature family takes up residency in the walls of a house to save it from demolition.
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Make & Take
Make your own mini masterpiece.
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Guided Tours
Explore the works in the Postcard Salon with an MMA docent.
Through March 19, 2016
88th Regional Exhibition Artwork Entry Registration
The Muskegon Museum of Art has established a digital artwork entry process for its 88th Regional Exhibition, for the first time in the competitive Regional’s long history. Online entry is open through March 19, 2016 and is available through the www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ) website. Search keyword “Muskegon” to find the show. Free CaFÉ registration is required for entry. The 88th Regional will run from May 12 through August 3, 2016. The deadline for entry is March 19, 2016. Hand delivery days for accepted artwork will be April 21, 22, and 23.
Saturday, February 20, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Regional 911 – Assisted Artist Entry
The Muskegon Museum of Art has established a digital artwork entry process for its 88th Regional Exhibition, for the first time in the competitive Regional’s long history. During this workshop, MMA staff and volunteers will help artists photograph and submit their artwork entries, leading artists through the entire entry process to completion. Normal entry fees will apply: $35 for up to two works, $20 for MMA members. The workshop is free. Artists are required to bring:
• The artwork they wish to enter
• Credit or Debit card (for online payment of entry) Cash or check can be accepted
• USB Drive – For artists wanting to keep their images *MMA will have USB drives for sale
• Valid email address (required for registration and notification)
Artwork will not be kept at the MMA. Artists must take their artwork home at the close of their registration. Artists will be notified of the jury results via email.
February 25, 12:15 pm
Brown Bag Film
Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace
(60 mins.) Known for his vibrant reinterpretations of classical portraits featuring African-American men, New York-based painter Kehinde Wiley turned the practice of portraiture on its head and, in the process, took the art world by storm. This film follows the artist as he takes on a new project to create a series of classical portraits of African-American women—something he had never before done. Brown Bag Films are free and sponsored by the Alcoa Foundation/Whitehall Operations.
February 25, 7:00 pm
Curator’s Insight: Common Ground
Tracee Glab, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Flint Institute of Arts will give a presentation that focuses on the artists featured in the MMA’s Common Ground: African American Art exhibition. This event is free and is part of the MMA’s Finding Common Ground program series, made possible by the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts.
February 13, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Mini Masterpieces Super Saturday
Free Family Fun Day
See how tiny artworks pack a punch and create a mini masterpiece during this free family fun day at the MMA. Admission and activities are free and are underwritten by the Alcoa Foundation/Whitehall Operations.
10:00 am & 1:00 pm
Film: The Borrowers
(75 mins.) A miniature family takes up residency in the walls of a house to save it from demolition.
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Make & Take
Make your own mini masterpiece.
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Guided Tours
Tour Postcard Salon with an MMA docent.