New Britain Museum Of American Art

New Britain Museum Holding Mlk Day Events

NEW BRITAIN The New Britain Museum of American Art will host a Free Community Day celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from 11 a.m.-2p.m. Jan. 16.

In commemoration of Kings birthday, the NBMAA is partnering with the CT Center for Nonviolence to present an afternoon of art-making, music, and learning led by CTCN teaching artists and certified nonviolence trainers, including Shanna T. Melton, Adjovi Simpini, Gamaliel Moses, Melinda Alcosser, and Cherell Banks.

The CT Center for Nonviolence is a leader in nonviolence education. We are dedicated to bringing people from diverse communities together in dialogue and creative expression to explore the root causes of violence and learn constructive methods of developing and applying alternative solutions.

Schedule:

11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Building the Beloved Community Art Project led by Shanna T. Melton and certified nonviolence trainers

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dr. King film, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Drumming led by Gamaliel Moses

12:30 – 1:15 p.m. Afro Beat Dance led by Adjovi Simpini

George Innesss Light Triumphant Sees The Light For The First Time In Over 150 Years

While wandering through the Museum galleries, searching for writing inspiration, I stumbled across David and Laura Grey, owners of recent loan Light Triumphant by Hudson River School painter George Inness. Ignorant to their identity, I offered to take their photo and they informed me that this painting, in front of which they posed, was found last year after being believed to be destroyed. At the New Britain Museum of American Art, the painting is on display for the first time in over 150 years. Grey invited me to attend his talk later that evening about the painting, its incredible history, and the brilliant man who painted it.

Light Triumphant by George Inness

NBMAA Director Min Jung Kim with David and Laura Grey.

Nbmaa Extends 2020/20+women Exhibition Schedule

The New Britain Museum of American Art has announced that it is extending its 2020/20+Women series of exhibitions devoted to the work of women artists.

The Museum has recently announced that it has reopened, with a new schedule and guidelines for visiting because of COVID-19.

The Museum says that the artists selected for the exhibition, represent diversity in race, ethnicity, age, experience, multiple perspectives, cultural backgrounds, career, geography, and medium.

NBMAA Director Min Jung Kim says that,

The picture of American art of the 21st century is one of a rich and varied diversity, reflecting Americas evolving national identity. To be truly American now means to embrace diversity. Yet 100 years after women were granted equal voting rights by the 19th Amendment, women artists are still significantly under-represented not only in the NBMAAs collection, but in most of the nations art museums.

The source of information cited by the Museum, Diversity of Artists in Major U.S. Museums, in discussing the diversity of the artists whose works are in museum collections, said that, 85% of artists are white and 87% are men.

Kim explains that, Our initiative challenges this underrepresentation by celebrating the innovative work and outsized impact of female-identifying artists throughout American history. And we are doing this in one of the oldest museums of American art in this country.

Tracing its history back to 1835, NBMAA says that its,

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About The New Britain Museum Of American Art

Learn about our new director here.The New Britain Museum of American Arts founding in 1903 entitles the institution to be designated the first museum of strictly American art in the country. That year, a $20,000 gift of gold bonds to the Museums former parent, the New Britain Institute, from industrialist John Butler Talcott, created funds to purchase modern oil paintings. Subsequent purchases, with advice from New York museums and galleries, further defined modern to mean American works of art, now numbering more than 8,300. With particular strengths in colonial portraiture, the Hudson River School, American Impressionism, and the Ash Can School, not to mention the important mural series The Arts of Life in America by Thomas Hart Benton, the Museum relies heavily on its permanent collection for exhibitions and programming, yet also displays a significant number of borrowed shows and work by emerging artists. The singular focus on American art and its panoramic view of American artistic achievement make the New Britain Museum of American Art a significant teaching resource available to the local, regional, and national public.

American Art in New Britain:

The Evolution of the NBMAA

New Britain Museum Of American Art Inc

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Back To The Future: 21st Century Art At The Nbmaa

Though the beauty and power of museums lie in highlighting, appreciating, and educating on the art of years gone by, many more venuesother than those exclusive to Contemporary Arthave begun to extend their collections into current works hot off the canvas. The New Britain Museum of American Art may be known for its Hudson River School paintings or Robert Lesser Pulp Illustrations, but it is also making waves extending its timeline into the current art market. Our McKernan and Alix Stanley Galleries house 2000 to the present and Post-Contemporary works, respectively. The new breed of art is multi-faced, simultaneously breaking down and reinforcing the influences of the past while coming out with wholly inventive and one- of-a-kind creations. There is something for everyone in todays art, as no artist is limited to a genre, subject, or material. Anything and everything goes, and I think that may be the frighteningly beautiful part. Seeing the work of an artist done less than ten years ago in front of you it helps keep things fresh, interesting, and relatable. The art of Nick Cave, Maki Tamura and Norbert Brunner exemplifies the direction art has and is moving in since the new millennium, complete with creative takes on art icons to addressing social and culture cacophonies experienced by millions on a daily basis.

Nick Cave , Blot, 2013 , video . Alice Osborne Bristol Fund, 2013.07

Nick Cave, Installation view: Sojourn, Denver Art Museum, CO, June 9September 22, 2013.

What Months Are Included In Your Off

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Sitting On Creative Thoughts

Olivia Rettstatt- Curatorial Intern

In the ever-evolving world, there is constant conversation regarding what is and isnt art. I find myself frustrated and confused by trying to define the term, the complex and counterintuitive meanings. This conversation is global, stretching beyond museums galleries, and runways, into Raymour & Flanigan, Pottery Barn and IKEA. I am getting at furniture. Are my bed, sofa or dining room table pieces of art or sole necessity with some element of aesthetic appeal? Where does one draw the line, or even begin? Furniture embodies all of the elements found in paintings, sculptures, and mixed media: creative design inspiration, common techniques, genres, even dialogue. However, it often gets separated into another genre entirelyknown as Applied Artsor forms mixed emotions when people find themselves perplexed when they see utilitarian objects become unlivable. Armchairs coated with spiked pencil tips, curved bowl seats unfit for the human body, or even thrones infested with live Mycelium fit the bill for making the practical, impractical. What the heck are these things: art, object, or both?

Pencil chair, 2005, Kerstin Schulz , Wooden chair, pencils

BARCAWooden Chair Inspired Big Boats, 2013, Jakob Joerdensen

The Mycelium Chair, 2013, Eric Klarenbeek , 3D printed chair, powdered plastic, mycelium

Long before Marcel Duchamp made a urinal thought-provoking and a reclined shovel beautiful, or young hip artists coated home goods in glass

Happy Birthday Edward Hopper A Great American Artist Turns 131

August 13, 2013 by nbmaa

Hoppers Self Portrait is a typical example of Hoppers self-representation, which was often moody, lonely, and somewhat unflattering.

This post comes to us from Emily Sesko, Curatorial Intern

I remember being nine years old, packed into the car for a trip to Boston to see an exhibit of Edward Hopper paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts. My dad was excited, always in search of an opportunity to see a few good Hoppers. Weve been all over the place in search of Hoppers, sometimes on purpose, other times finding ourselves on an impromptu Hopper-hunt. The hunt brought us to NBMAA a few years ago, around Christmas time. There was just one hanging upstairs in one of the galleriesAbbots House, from ca. 1926and my dad was thrilled. A Hopper outpost, just twenty minutes away from home.

During his eighty-five-year lifetime, Hopper was not an especially prolific artist, producing fewer than 400 total works before his death. Nevertheless, he is one of Americas best-recognized painters, and was one of the bestselling artists at the height of his career between 1925 and 1945. What did it take to become one of Americas beloved realists? Continue Reading »

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Elizabeth Gage: Creations And Recreations

This post comes to us from Reagan Georges, curatorial intern

Elizabeth Gage is a renowned master designer of jewelry. She studied at Sir John Cass College in London, where she learned the skills needed to bring life to her designs. She loves to incorporate historical objects into her work, repurposing both found items as well as heirloom pieces. One of her pins that I find most striking renews the ancient symbol of Aquila, a mythical, Roman eagle said to be attendant to Jupiter.

During my research, I discovered that the eagle Aquila is mentioned several times in the Greco-Roman myths of Mount Olympus and Jupiter. One story tells of Jupiter seeing a young boy Ganymede on earth and desiring him to come up to Mount Olympus and act as the official cupbearer. Aquila then gently flies down to earth and fulfills Jupiters bidding by carefully retrieving the boy.

However, the most common myths depict Aquilas more menacing nature. Prometheus, one of the last Titan gods, stole rays of sun for mankind to use as fire. Jupiter sentenced him to live eternally chained to a mountain and be eaten alive everyday by the eagle Aquila. Aquila was also believed to be the deliverer of Jupiters thunderbolts and was catalogued as a Greek constellation by the astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century.

Aquila Pin, 1988Pearl, Roman coin, tourmaline, white goldPrivate Collection

Minoan Seal Pin, 1964Steatite intaglios, South Sea pearlsElizabeth Gage Archive Collection

Directions Via Public Transportation

Take Metro-North commuter from Grand Central Station to New Havens Union Station. From Union Station, travel via Peter Pan bus lines to reach New Britain, CT. Your stop will be at Jimmys Smoke Shop at 64 West Main Street. Jimmys is approximately ½ mile from NBMAA, within walking distance. From Jimmys head west three blocks on West Main Street, turn left on Lexington Street, NBMAA is on the left hand side. For additional information visit: www.peterpanbus.com for a complete schedule of bus service. Or call: 860.522.8101 or visit: www.cttransit.com for local bus schedules and routes.

The closest Amtrak station is located in Berlin, CT, at 51 Depot Road. You can travel to NBMAA by taxi cab or bus. Buses run from Berlin station to New Britain. For a complete listing of fares and routes please visit: www.nbt.bz/nb_bk_map.pdf. The station is approximately 4 miles from NBMAA.

Amtrak lines run to the Kensington-Berlin Railroad station though less frequently. You can choose to get off in Hartford and continue to New Britain via bus travel to NBMAA by taxi cab or bus. For Connecticut Transit buses call 860.522.8101 or visit:www.cttransit.com for local bus schedules and routes from Hartford or Kensington to New Britain.

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New Britain Museum Of American Art

The New Britain Museum of American Art is an art museum in New Britain, Connecticut. Founded in 1903, it is the first museum in the country dedicated to American art.

A total of 72,000 visits were made to the museum in the year ending June 30, 2009, and another 16,000 visits were made to the museum’s satellite gallery at TheatreWorks in Hartford, Connecticut.

Walnut Hill Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, is next to the museum.

What To Expect When Visiting

Welcome to the NBMAA! We are delighted to offer you and your family much-needed access to our lovely, peaceful galleries. Currently, visitors are encouraged to make online reservations but walk-ins are always welcome. View our current floor plan here.

Groups

Guided tours are available on the weekends starting in March. Reservations are required for ANY group of 5 or more. A special self-guided group discount is available at $10 per person. Please note that groups over 10 are not eligible to receive free Saturday morning admission. To book a docent-led tour or to make a reservation for your self-guided group of 5 or more, please fill out our Adult Tour Request Form.

Museum Café

Hours: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Wednesday-SundayThe Café offers a selection of delicious grab-and-go options, including locally made sandwiches, salads, pastries, and hot and cold beverages.The Museum Café is proud to feature products from New Britain-area businesses, including Roly Poly Bakery, Angelos Market, and Averys Soda.

Visiting Museums with Children

to learn more about the kid-friendly offerings at the NBMAA, as well as other CT museums.

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Q& a With New/now Artist Karl Lund

This post comes to us from Nicole Hooks, Curatorial Intern.

Currently on display at the New Britain Museum of American Art is Karl Lunds NEW/NOW exhibition, Angry Robots Liquefied My Brain, a series illustrating a world where robots and giant squids are at war. Lund is a Simsbury native who earned a BFA from Pratt Institute and a MFA in Computer Animation from The School of Visual Arts. Lund kindly answered a few questions on the inspiration behind his unique series.

New Britain Museum of American Art: Angry Robots Liquefied My Brain depicts a world where robots fight giant squids and exterminate countless enemies with powerful laser beams. What inspired you to pit robots against giant squids? Why robots? Why giant squids?

Karl Lund:I was drawing and painting a lot of giant squids attacking airplanes from 2005 2009. I was also dabbling in robots here and there during that same time period. In 2010 I started focusing on angry robots and put down the squid for a while. Most of the earlier angry robot paintings are more like portraits. The compositions are tightly focused on the robots and laser weaponry. When I painted the larger paintings for the NBMAA show I had plenty of canvas real estate to zoom out and paint the robots and their adversaries. Given that I had painted a lot of squid and cephalopod creatures just prior to my angry robot phase, the battle between squid and robot was a natural one for me.

Part 1 computer tools vs analogue tools to create my artwork:

Interview With New Media Artist Jason Huff

September 3, 2013 by nbmaa

Have you recently ventured into the Contemporary Gallery at the NBMAA? Wondering what the futuristic sound-dome is all about? LIsten in as the artist-mastermind behind The Road Not Taken, Jason Huff, and Curatorial Intern, Emily Sesko, discuss the work and muse about art and life.

Emily Sesko : A few of your projects zoom in on an interaction between literature and algorithmic computer functions. How would you say your experiences with these projects, like AutoSummarize or The Road Not Taken have affected your perspective on literature, or have they not?

Jason Huff : I think about literature differently now. I keep trying to imagine the 30 million or more books on , plus all of the other texts on sites like Project Gutenberg, and its overwhelming. When I created AutoSummarize, I was interested in Markov string generators and how computer algorithms could learn English-language grammars. I was curious to find the algorithms limits.

Microsoft added AutoSummarize to Word in 1997. Each new version includes some upgraded version of the function. There are some basic rules that apply to the summaries word count, capitalization, etc. Outside of those rules, the algorithm is a bit of a mystery. Making the work was my way of trying to understand two things: one, how Words AutoSummarize function produces its summaries, and two, how an algorithm can tell stories.

August 15, 2013 by nbmaa

This post comes to us from Rena Tobey, Curatorial Intern.

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When The Boy Who Wouldnt Grow Up Actually Does

Peter Pan has been aclassic figure in English literature and media for over a century, yet hisstory, much like himself, never grows old. At his inception, Scottish novelistJ.M. Barrie wrote the character as only seven days old in The Little White Bird , a storyabout a newborn who could fly. In Barries later play titled Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldnt Grow Up ,and novel titled Peter Pan and Wendy ,Peters age is not stated, but he is described as still having his baby teeth.

Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, Peter Pan, 1936, Bronze, 19 x 14 x 26 in.,Gift of Ruth Talcott, New Britain Museum of American Art

Poster forPeter Pan, 1924, Paramount Pictures

However,the character doesnt always exactly remain young. Hook, a 1991 fantasy-adventure film adapting Barries Peter and Wendy, starred Robin Williams as an adult Peter who travels to Neverland to regain the memory of hisyouthpresenting youth as a positive theme. However, this isnt the onlyinstance in which viewers can see Peter Pan represented as an adult. On thetelevision show Once Upon a Time , the character was introduced in his late teens. Played by Robbie Kay , this character, though older than the original Peter Panis obsessedwith maintaining his youth. He has become evil in his attempts to stay young,drifting from the characters original representation of intentions. Anyway,this may be the only instance in which Peter Pans never-ending youth hasbecome a tarnished trait.