Bart and his friends are planning a fun-filled day at the Museum! Join us Sunday, November 18, for Bart's Arctic Adventure! Hear an Inuit drum circle, see an ice sculptor at work, and create an Inuit-inspired sculpture out of soap! Discover the traditions of the Inuit people through a short film, scavenger hunt, storytelling, and much more! Click here to read more about this free family day.
This Saturday, November 10, the Museum will host its montly Visually Impaired program. This month's theme, "Against All Odds: Arists with Disabilities," will allow guests to explore works by and learn more about disabled artists. In this program for adults, specially trained docents present the permanent collection by means of verbal descriptions, three-dimensional tactile models based on original works of art, and sculpture. The experience may be enhanced by related music and/or art-making to provide multi-sensory access to the visual arts. Click here to learn more about this program.
Our beloved Albert Bierstadt masterpiece, "Looking Down the Yosemite Valley, California" (1865), is taking a little trip! The piece will appear in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's "The Civil War and American Art" exhibit until April 2013. The exhibit will travel to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the piece will return to BMA in late September 2013. We are proud that this Birmingham treasure will continue to inspire many new audiences on its tour!
This fall, discover your Museum as we launch the Spotlight on the Collection series. November's spotlight piece is The Ascetic Sakyamuni, a Chinese piece that dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368. Experience the Spotlight work in the galleries with our upcoming ArtBreak or Slow Art Sunday, like us on Facebook to learn more, or join the conversation on our Spotlight page!
It's only here once a month - don't miss it! November's Sunday brunch is on November 4, from 11am - 2pm. Enjoy delicious, locally-grown dishes from Oscar's seasonal brunch menu in the beauty and comfort of the Museum with your family and friends. Space is limited. To make reservations, call 205.328.7850 or click here to reserve your spot online.
Trying to find time in your busy schedule to come to the Museum? Join us on the First Thursday of every month for an after hours experience. Unwind as you wander the galleries, sip cocktails in the sculpture garden, and enjoy tapas at our café. This month, First Thursday will feature live jazz by Wattz, a gallery talk on the art of illustration, a screening of Rebel Without a Cause, and extended hours of our fall exhibition, Norman Rockwell's America. Click here for a full schedule of events!
The Museum is pleased to present world-renowned concert pianist Eugen Indjic for the 2012 Rushton Concert, free to the public on Wednesday, November 7. With success from an early age, Indjic has continued to inspire audiences throughout his career and all over the world; we are excited to have him return to this year's Rushton Concert. Learn more about Indjic and the performance here.
Our Junior Patrons members enjoyed an evening of art, music, food, and drinks, all while learning about two of Birmingham's best nonprofits: the Museum and Studio By The Tracks! To see pictures from the evening's event, click here. If you are interested in joining the Junior Patrons for more fun events like this one, click here!
Have 30 minutes to spare during your lunch break? Join Dr. Jeffreen Hayes, Andrew W. Mellon Curatorial Fellow, for a discussion about the photographs within Intimate Interiors. "The Body in Black and White" will take place on Tuesday, October 23, at noon - stay for lunch at Oscar's Café and we will throw in a free dessert! Click here for more information on this session!
On Sunday, October 7, BMA hosted Gandhi Jayanti, the celebration of Gandhi's birthday. Presented by the Indian Cultural Society and in partnership with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the day included live performances of dance groups and a student essay and poster contest. Thank you to all of our participants - click here to learn more about the celebration, the contest prize winners, and the students' work!
After debuting at the BMA earlier in 2012, The Look of Love has already traveled to its first new venue! The Georgia Museum of Art opened the show on October 6, welcoming a large crowd to both the private opening and a gallery talk. The Look of Love is the first major exhibition of lover's eye jewelry; visitors can learn even more about this art form with the iPad app, which the BMA created. To plan a visit to see The Look of Love, open until January 6, 2013, visit the Georgia Museum of Art's website!
Norman Rockwell's America was highlighted in an interview on NPR, featuring analysis and commentary from BMA's Curator of American Art, Dr. Graham Boettcher. Dr. Boettcher gives a tour, discusses several pieces, and tells more about other artists who have influence Rockwell. Listen to the interview here!
TIME Magazine highlighted our fall exhibition, Norman Rockwell's America, in their September 24, 2012 issue. TIME notes that while Rockwell's signature style and idyllic images are evident throughout the exhibition, there are also portrayals of difficult events in our history: "Not that Rockwell shied away from grittier material. Among the many works on display at the Birmingham Museum of Art through Jan. 6 are paintings and illustrations depicting the civil rights movement and soldiers returning from war." The range of themes in Rockwell's works are well represented in the exhibition, opening September 16.
Our fall exhibition, Norman Rockwell's America, opened to the general public on September 16. Celebrating America's most beloved illustrator, the exhibition includes 52 original paintings and all 323 vintage Saturday Evening Post covers. There are many events, programs, and tours available for the exhibition. Read more about the exhibition here and purchase tickets now!
Experience the nostalgia before Norman Rockwell’s America officially opens to the public! All Museum members are invited to attend this exclusive first look viewing and preview party on Friday, September 14. A lecture on the exhibition will be given at 6pm. Following the lecture, guests are invited to attend a celebratory bash in the Museum’s Café with great American food, drinks, and music followed by a private viewing of this historic exhibition.
FREE for members, $25 for non-members
The Sankofa Society: Friends of African American and African Art will host its 4th annual Sankofa Society Soirée, themed Intimate Evening of Art, which connects to the exhibition Intimate Interiors. The weekend will begin Friday night with a VIP reception and champagne toast, where Sankofa Society members can meet and greet with the weekend's honoree, Theaster Gates, a Chicago-based artist and urban planner. The soirée on Saturday will feature live music, a fantastic menu, and a celebration of the Museum's African American and African art. Click here to get more information, purchase tickets, and learn more about the Sankofa Society.
