September 03, 2009

Sept. 11 reception celebrates five museum exhibits

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Dona Bachman, director of University Museum at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, promised this would be a “Year of Photography” at the museum, culminating with a special Ansel Adams exhibit.

It is that, and much more.

A museum reception beginning at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11 celebrates five exhibits that opened Aug. 25. The Dorians, a local Celtic music group, adds to the festivities, beginning at 5 p.m.

The current exhibits celebrated at the reception feature recent acquisitions, as well as the permanent collection. The recent acquisitions are part of two exhibits, one emphasizing art and the other humanities. The art exhibit runs through Sept. 25 and the humanities exhibit closes on Oct. 25.

Items on loan contribute to an exhibit featuring Claribel McDaniel, who taught weaving at SIUC. McDaniel’s work made up museum exhibits on campus two times previously, but this is the first time her work has comprised a solo exhibit at University Museum since 1978. Her solo exhibit concludes Sept. 13.

The other two exhibits are part of the “Year of Photography” launch. The Masters of Photography from the Permanent Collection concludes next May. The exhibit holds some rare gems, including a portrait of the mysterious Gloria Swanson and an atypical Ansel Adams. Museum visitors can also enter the magic world of Jennifer Johns, in her exhibit “Movement and Light,” which focuses on trees.

Other exhibits open during the fall semester. Here is a schedule:

• The SIMS Show: Southern Illinois Metalsmiths Society, Sept. 17-Oct. 30.

This exhibit features the work of our own campus metalsmithing students. The exhibit coincides with the SIMS annual metalsmithing conference. Come to the reception from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 25 to meet the artists and hear about the metalsmithing program at SIUC.

• Bending the Bow: Africana Art and Poetry, Oct. 2-Nov. 1

This event showcases the photographic artwork of Lawrence Sykes and the poetry of SIUC’s Frank Chipasula, a member of SIUC’s Black American Studies program and a native of Malawi. The name of the exhibit reflects the title of Chipasula’s latest book, “Bending the Bow: An Anthology of African Love Poetry,” published by SIU Press. The press sponsors a book signing held in conjunction with the reception for the exhibit. Other featured poets are SIUC’s Joseph Brown and Allison Joseph. The reception, poetry reading and book signing is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 16.

• Tree Mend Us: Honoring the Trees We Lost, Nov. 4-7

This exhibit recalls the recent history of the May 8 storm that blew through Carbondale and the surrounding area, changing the landscape and tree line of campus and other areas. This exhibit includes woodworking, poetry, prose, and photographic images relating to the storm. Event sponsors are the Carbondale Park District, Green Earth, Inc., Carbondale Community Arts and University Museum. The reception is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 6.

• Steven Poster: Around the Edges, Nov. 10-Dec. 18

Poster is an SIUC alumnus who went on to work on films including “Blade Runner,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” and “Stewart Little 2.” This exhibit features large-scale black and white images. Poster will meet with cinematography students on campus and attend the reception in his honor from 4 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 13.

• Combined Faculty and MFA Candidates’ Preview exhibits, Nov. 10-Dec. 18

These two exhibits both represent long-standing SIUC tradition. The faculty exhibit features recent work from faculty in the School of Art and Design, the Department of Cinema and Photography, and elsewhere on campus. In a separate exhibit, master of fine arts candidates, those who expect to graduate in 2010, have a chance to show previews of their master’s projects. The reception for this event coincides with the Steven Poster reception, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 13.

University Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. It is closed on Monday. Admission to most events is free, but donations are always welcome.

Check out the Web site at www.museum.siu.edu/ for the latest in exhibit, reception and special event news.