This Saturday is something called Celebrate Asia Family Day at the Speed. The short press release I got is the first I've heard of it so I'm not sure exactly what to tell you to expect though it sounds cool enough particularly given that admission is free.

The Speed is proud to host this wonderful celebration of Asian Cultures. Celebrate Asia Family Day is the area's largest Asian cultural events for families. Come and enjoy the arts and traditions of China, India, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Samoa, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Activities include: cultural performances from several different Asian cultures in the auditorium; informational displays on the Sculpture Court; hands-on experiences in the Art Sparks Workshop, and special demonstrations.

Saturday May 10, 2008
Noon-5PM

Speed Museum
2035 South 3rd
Louisville, KY

This Brown-Foreman AfterHours at the Speed event next Friday April 11 from 6-9PM looks just about my speed.

Join us as we celebrate the charms of Kentucky with "Bourbon and Bluegrass." The evening will feature the live music of "Hog Operation," handicapping experts on hand from Churchill Downs, $2 tastings of Woodford Reserve cocktails, food samplings by Liquor Barn and tours of the Kentucky Collection. Admission is $10, free to museum members. Visit Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum for $5 with AfterHours admission. Parking is available in the Speed Garage for $3. Doors will open at 5:30 PM for this event.

Speed Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, KY

This Saturday March 22, 2008 from Noon-4PM the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft will present a Figurative Clay Sculptures Workshop with Maggie Towne. 

Believe me when I tell you that no one on the planet loves Alfred Hitchcock movies, particularly Rear Window, more than my beloved. Seriously. So unless a hospital emergency pulls us away I'd bet money that on Tuesday March 18, 2008 at 6PM you'll find us at the Speed Museum for the lecture The Architecture of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window.

In 1954, audiences were first treated to what is perhaps the ultimate Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window. The film's unsettling murder mystery was certainly entertaining enough, but Hitchcock achieved more than the usual resonance with audiences, through the use of his mammoth set representing an apartment-house courtyard between West 10th and 11th Streets in New York's Greenwich Village. Hitchcock's apartments in Rear Window are emblematic of many factors common to American life in 1954, from new questions of privacy generated by smaller living spaces, to a need to individualize near-identical housing units, to the anonymity newly available to those who would live outside society's rules. The Architecture of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window will attempt to demonstrate how the director used commonly encountered architectural elements and used them to manipulate his audiences into acceptance of the tale he wished to tell. Sandy McLendon writes about architecture and design.  His work has appeared in Old House Interiors and Arts & Crafts Homes, as well as Modernism Magazine, where he is a contributing editor. His book about the use of prefabrication in building custom housing, PreFAB Elements, was published in 2005 by HarperCollins. Admission is free. Presented in the auditorium.

Speed Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40208

I'm slightly embarrassed to say that I was unaware that such a thing as the Italian Cultural Institute existed in Louisville. I still don't know much about them since I couldn't find a website for them but I do know they're sponsoring a very interesting sounding lecture series at the Speed Museum. The next in this series is next Thursday March 13, 2008 and will feature Dr. Christopher Fulton, Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Louisville. Dr. Fulton will be discussing the city of Florence during the Renaissance.

Italian Culture Institute Lecture Series
Florence during the Renaissance
Thursday March 13, 2008
6PM
Free and open to the public

Speed Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40208

If you want to totally follow me down a rathole I'll tell you that when I was a history major in college I thought that studying anything related to Medieval Europe was tedious and boring. Then I took a class with Dr. Blake Beattie that changed everything. It was a great class, Dr. Beattie a fantastic instructor and a switch in my brain was flipped. After the class I became a person who wanted to discuss the Avignon Papacy, Innocent III and any other manner of things relating to Medieval Europe. And now I'm totally wanting to go to a lecture about Florence during the Renaissance. Thank you Dr. Beattie. If you're a student at the University of Louisville and get an opportunity to take a class with Dr. Beattie sign up now.

Another first Friday, another trolley hop downtown. There's some cool stuff involved with this one that I recommend you check out. A few highlights:

"Join the fun as the Frazier Museum kicks off March with the 2nd Annual Taste O' Ireland! Celebrate the Emerald Isle with a taste of Irish whiskey & music from Guilderoy Byrne, playing traditional & contemporary Irish favorites on a variety of acoustic, folk instruments.

Admission is Free and our galleries will be open - including our temporary exhibits A Slave Ship Speaks: The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie and Women's Work: The Paper Doll Quilts of Rebekka Seigel. "

Cressman Center for Visual Arts Gallery will present a reception for America's Favorite Architecture (AIA Traveling Exhibition from 6 - 9 p.m. The traveling exhibition "is organized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to help celebrate its 150th anniversary. It features photographs by Carol M. Highsmith of 150 works of architecture--buildings, bridges, monuments, and memorials--selected by a public poll conducted by the AIA and Harris Interactive."

Swanson Reed Contemporary may be the best stop of the night cause they're giving away free gumbo from Cafe Lou Lou as part of their exhibition and fundraiser: MAKE IT RIGHT: REBUILDING NEW ORLEANS, featuring the work of three Louisiana artists. There will be a
benefit concert by Noisy Crane at 10 PM, $5 at the door and a "share of all the profits go to the Make it Right foundation which is using innovative and sound architectural ideas to rebuild after the hurricane."

We're in the middle of what I'd call an Abraham Lincoln bonanza. You can hardly turn your head sideways in Louisville without seeing or hearing something relating to Abraham Lincoln. The University of Louisville is no exception so they're brining in Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Civil War expert James McPherson to lecture about Lincoln's wartime leadership tomorrow March 5, 2008.

Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief
March 5, 2008
6 p.m.

Speed Art Museum
2035 S. Third St.
Louisville, KY

Parking is available for $3 in the adjacent garage off Third Street.
Admission to the lecture is free and open to the public

The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft is having an opening reception this Friday February 22, 200 from 5:00-7:30PM. The two exhibits are Made to Deceive: The Art of Trompe L'oeil and New Blue: New and Emerging Kentucky Artists.

While Made to Deceive sounds interesting (more information about it after the jump), I'm much more interested in New Blue.

The art world of Kentucky is a dynamic and ever-changing system of mutually dependant participants. Individual artists come and go, as is the wont of those of a creative disposition. But those who chose to make their homes and careers in the Bluegrass state find a welcoming, enthusiastic reception for the fruits of their artistic expression.

With this exhibition, KMAC will launch the first of what will become a Biennial of Kentucky art and craft. While "new" artist often appear in our shows, we plan to use the occasion of the first Kentucky Biennial to feature an invited group of artists who represent the new faces of art and craft in Kentucky. Working with the advice of a select group of advisors from around the commonwealth, we will present artists whose work will represent fresh, creative and bold interpretations of art and craft media.

Last week I mentioned that Shelly Zegart, the Louisville based author, lecturer and consultant who is an internationally known and renowned expert on American quilts, is giving a tour of the exhibit Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt. That tour is only available to Speed Museum members but I've found out that Zegart will also be presenting a lecture on that same day, Sunday February 24, that is free and open to everyone, not just museum members.

Lecture: African American Quilt MakingQuilt authority Shelly Zegart discusses prevailing yet differing perspectives on African american quilt-making, including common misperceptions about various traditions.

Shelly Zegart lecture: African American Quilt Making
Sunday February 24, 2008
3:00PM

Speed Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40208

Shelly Zegart is a Louisville based author, lecturer and consultant who is an internationally known and renowned expert on American quilts. On Sunday February 24, 2008 Speed Museum members have a chance to experience Zegart's expertise when she leads a tour of Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt exhibit.

Members Only Tour of Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt Shelly Zegart will lead a members only tour of the exhibition. Tour is free but space is limited so reserve your spot by calling our reservation line at 634-2970. (meet at Information Desk)

No, not throw as in pitch but throw as in build and glaze your own ceramic goblet during the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft's workshop for couples taught by Suzy Hatcher.

I've got to say I like the sound of this event. It's something totally different for couples to do together. I'm also a sucker for ceramic pottery, so sue me. The event is a little spendy but they're throwing in wine and cheese tasting too so all in all the $60 price tag for KMAC members, $70 for non-members isn't so bad.

Details after the jump

The weekend immediately after Valentine's Day is going to be an exciting one at the Speed. It's the Gee's Bend Quilters Weekend and there will be several special events celebrating the Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt exhibit. A group of the quiltmakers themselves will be here for this special weekend.

Saturday February 16, 2008
12:00 – 5:00 PM Celebration of the Quilters of Gee’s Bend A group of the Gee’s Bend quilters will be at the museum demonstrating quilting, singing, signing copies of the exhibition catalog, and discussing their work with visitors.

1:00 – 3:00 PM Discovery Case in the Galleries Explore a discovery case within the museum galleries with one of our knowledgeable docents.

Sunday February 17, 2008
12:00 – 5:00 PM Celebration of the Quilters of Gee’s Bend A group of the Gee’s Bend quilters will be at the museum demonstrating quilting, signing copies of the exhibition catalog, and discussing their work with visitors.

 3:00 PM- Gee’s Bend Quilters: Panel Discussion Join quilters of Gee’s Bend for a panel discussion exploring the creativity and necessity of their quilts. (Auditorium)

The Speed Art Museum is honoring and celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by offering free admission to  its special exhibition Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt on Monday January 21, 2008.

I highly suggest you see this exhibit. It's outstanding and well worth your time. Seeing it for free would be even better. stillGee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt runs January 2, 2008 - March 23, 2008

Admission is free only on January 21, 2008 at all other times admission is $8, free to museum members. Gallery hours are:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.;
Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;
and Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The museum is closed on Mondays.

Speed Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40208

I love art. I think it's a vital, necessary component for a fulfilled life. So I am so very excited by the Speed Museum's new public art project called Eyes Wide Open.

An exciting contemporary installation that will entice, excite and provoke the senses.

Stepping outside its museum walls, the Speed has commissioned Argentinean artist Flavia Da Rin to create 10 images to be placed on 14x48 foot billboards around Louisville in January 2008.

Manipulating her images with “Photoshop” Da Rin creates fairytale-like pictures that are both enchanting and disquieting. While Da Rin’s images will create a gallery outdoors, a web site will provide access to information and engage the participation of the viewer creatively, as well as in discussions about art, both inside and outside the museum.

This is an exciting public art project and I'm so thankful to the Speed for commissioning the work and proud of Louisville for having such a cool project about town. I'll be anxiously looking for the first billboard starting tomorrow, there will be 10 total around town. I'll also be checking out the accompanying web arm of the project as well It's great to see the Speed Museum using social media. I wonder if Louisville's own Social Media Explorer gave them any tips?

Seriously, I'm so excited about this exhibit. Exciting public art projects definitely proves January doesn't have to suck.

 

The quilts in the Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt exhibit probably have more in common with the last abstract painting exhibit you visited than the quilts you remember your grandmother making.

I became familiar with the quilts of Gee's Bend several years ago through Shelly Zegart the Louisville based, internationally acclaimed American quilt expert. Zegart was a consultant to the organizers and, if I'm not mistaken, advised them both on the actual exhibit and the two accompanying books.

Obviously none of the exhibition quilts are for sale but Zegart has additional quilts from Gee's Bend quiltmakers available for sale through her website.

I saw this exhibit when it was in Indianapolis and I'll be seeing it again at the Speed. Highly recommended.

This exhibition features the brilliant, bold quilts created in the twentieth century by a group of women who live in the small, isolated African-American community of Gee's Bend in southwestern Alabama. The 70 quilts in the exhibition, created by 42 women spanning four generations, provide a fascinating look at the work of 20th-century artists who lived and worked in solitude. Gee's Bend is located on a sliver of land five miles long and eight miles wide, a virtual island surrounded by a bend in the Alabama River. Isolated geographically, the women in the community created quilts from whatever materials were available, in patterns of their own imaginative design. The dynamic, abstract quilts' innovative patterns and brilliant use of line and color demonstrate a highly developed talent for structure and design. Unlike abstract painters, however, the Gee's Bend women created their quilts out of necessity and practical considerations rather than a conscious attempt to make art. Their focus on everyday concerns, such as salvaging discarded fabric, recycling old clothing, and finding ways to keep their families warm and comfortable, makes the extraordinary aesthetic appeal of their quilts even more remarkable.

Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt runs January 2, 2008 - March 23, 2008

Admission is $8, free to museum members. Gallery hours are
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.;
Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;
and Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The museum is closed on Mondays.

Speed Museum
2035 South Third Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40208

I've got to tell you that allows you drinks, appetizers, Godiva chocolate samples, live music and art all for $10 sounds like a very good time to me. That's exactly what The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft is doing on Thursday December 6, 2007 for the 6th Annual Martinis and Mistletoe Party.

This evening will include 3 choices of Finlandia martinis, appetizers from Martini Italian Bistro, Godiva chocolate samples, a live acoustic solo show by blues artist Jimmy Davis, a trunk show by Gallery Janjobe and a huge selection of artwork for sale from the Holidazzle exhibition and the Museum gallery shop.

Admission to the event is free for KMAC members and $10 for non-members. Members will also receive a 20% discount on all purchases made that night. In addition, those wishing to purchase or renew their membership that evening will receive a special gift, while supplies last. Museum memberships start at $40.

Thursday December 6, 2007
5PM-8PM

The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
715 West Main Street
Louisville, KY

 

I'm planning on a day full of festive making, eating and shopping for the Friday after Thanksgiving and visiting the Locust Grove Holiday Sample would seem to fit nicely into that plan.

Spend the day after Thanksgiving exploring our region’s heritage. We’re open during our regular hours (10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Costumed demonstrators will be in the kitchen and woodshop from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. And you can even do holiday shopping in the museum store, with all items 20 percent off regular price. Even better, it’s all included in the regular price – $6 for general admission, $5 for seniors, $3 for children 6-12, free for children under 6 and members.

Friday, November 23, 2007
11AM-2PM

Historic Locust Grove
561 Blankenbaker Lane
Louisville , KY 40207

I'm not a wine drinker myself but I am a great designated driver. Make sure you too have a great designated driver so you can enjoy Beaujolais day completely. You don't want to pull a Jason Moore and endanger the lives of your fellow fine citizens of Louisville.

Join Kentuckiana as we celebrate as the French do-only better!  A variety of freshly bottled wines will be flown overnight to Louisville for this special tasting at Brown-Forman AfterHours at the Speed.  There will also be live music performed by Tanita Gaines and food samplings from Liquor Barn.

Speed Art Museum Presents Brown-Forman AfterHours Beaujolais Nouveau
Thursday, November 15, 2007 6pm-9pm

Admission is $10 per person, free for museum member, Guests will be able to purchase wine tastings for $2 each.
Parking is available in the Speed garage for $3.

Speed Art Museum
2035 S 3rd St
Louisville, KY 

Apparently it's Speed Museum day as this is the second post in a row about an event there. I'm not really an architecture buff though so this one sounds a lot more exciting to me than that last event.

Join the Speed's Community Support and Outreach Committee in celebrating the Harlem Renaissance through song, dance, period costumes, food and drink.  This event will feature performances by the African American Theater Program at the University of Louisville and from Actor's Theater of Louisville's presentation of Spunk.  Passed and buffet hors d'oervres and a cash bar will be available.

Harlem Nights, an Evening at the Speed Art Museum
Saturday November 3, 2007
7PM-10PM
Admission is $35
Call (502) 634-2737 to purchase tickets

Professor David Anderson, Professor of English and Associate Dean for Diversity and Outreach Programs at the University of Louisville will speak on the Harlem Renaissance, an important movement in African American culture during the 1920's and 1930's. Though centered in Harlem, New York, the movement impacted urban centers throughout the United States. Black novelists, poets, painters, and playwrights began creating works rooted in their own culture instead of imitating the styles of Europeans and white Americans. Sponsored by the Speed's Community Support and Outreach Committee. Admission is free. (Auditorium)

Thursday September 27 6PM
Speed Museum

Sweet cracker and a biscuit I love coffee. Serious love for the coffee. I'm also a touchy-feely tree hugger who thinks about the environment, fair trade, local economies and global economics. So I've had a thought or two about fair trade coffee. Needless to say I'd do well to hit the Speed Museum Thursday night for this film screening and discussion.

Film Screening and Discussion: Black Gold Join us for a special program on fair trade coffee. The film Black Gold asks us "to wake up and smell the coffee," to face the unjust conditions under which our favorite drink is produced and to decide what we can do about it. The film traces the tangled trail from the two billion cups of coffee consumed each day back to the coffee farmers who produce the beans. In particular, It follows Tadesse Meskela as he tries to get a living wage for the 70,000 Ethiopian coffee farmers he represents. In the process Black Gold provides the most in-depth study of any commodity on film today and offers a compelling introduction to the "fair trade" movement galvanizing consumers around the globe. The award-winning film will be introduced and discussed by David Horvath. David Horvath recently retired as Media Resources Librarian at the University of Louisville. He has long been involved with a number of local and national organizations which focus on globalization, fair trade and sustainable development. He is currently working for a national non-profit agency doing church-based social justice organizing. Admission to the screening is free. Co-sponsored by Heine Bros. Coffee. (Auditorium)

September 6 6PM-9PM
Speed Museum

University of Louisville Morgan Lecture: Ancient Synagogues in the Land of Israel Visiting chair Judi Magness will explore what the synagogues in which Jesus and Paul preached looked like? In this slide-illustrated lecture, we survey the archaeological remains of ancient synagogues of the Roman and Byzantine periods in Palestine modern Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories. We also discuss the decoration of these synagogue buildings, which consists mainly of mosaic floors and carved stone reliefs and includes -surprisingly - some pagan motifs such as Helios (the Greco-Roman sun god). Jodi Magness teaches in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sponsored by the Hite Art Insitute at the University of Louisville. Admission is free.

Tuesday September 4 6PM
Speed Museum

Previously I had said "The photography party in Louisville is going to keep on rocking till it just can't rock anymore. " Apparently it can rock just a little bit more.

Renowned photographer Alec Soth is presenting a lecture at the Speed Museum on Thursday August 30th.

Alec Sloth is the recipient of several major fellowships from the McKnight and Jerome Foundations and was awarded the 2003 Santa Fe Prize for Photography. His work is represented in major public and private collections, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. His first monograph, Sleeping by the Mississippi, was published by Steidl in 2004; his follow up, NIAGARA, was released in 2006. Sponsored by the Hite Art Institute at the University of Louisville (Auditorium)

I'm really excited about this lecture. It's a great event for our city and our museum.

Alec Soth
August 30
6PM
Speed Museum Auditorium

The photography party in Louisville is going to keep on rocking till it just can't rock anymore.

On Saturday August 25 head to the Speed Museum for "fun-filled workshops to learn how cameras work, make art using light and discover techniques to create strange and wacky photographs. Bring your camera and our artist will teach you how to create your own masterpiece."

Funky Family Photo Days at the Speed Museum
Saturday August 25
12:00-3:00 PM

Louisville's celebration of photography continues with The Speed Museum presenting a great opportunity to learn how to deal with old photographs.

Bill Carner and Andy Anderson from the University of Louisville's Photo Archives discuss how to care for family photographs and older photographs. Participants may each bring two photographs. Admission is $10, $5 for members. Admission to The Best of Photography and Film from the George Eastman House Collection is included. For tickets or information call (502) 634-2960.

Saturday August 18
10:30 - 12:30 PM

This Saturday August 4 is another Family Fun Day at the Speed Museum.

Come and enjoy some family fun at the Speed. Make a masterpiece, hear a story, explore a discovery case or take an unusual tour to experience the museum in new ways. Hands-on art projects meet in the Art Sparks Workshop, Discovery Cases are in the galleries and the tours meet at the Information Desk. Admission to Art Sparks is $5, free for museum members.

Saturday August 4
12:00-3:00 PM

Family Fun Day festivities are followed by a Especially for Families Tour at 3PM.

The Best of Photography and Film from the George Eastman House Collection presents a wide-ranging selection of popular and recognized works from the history of photography. The exhibition explores photography from 1839 daguerreotypes to September 11, 2001, and includes such iconic photographs as Mathew Brady’s portrait of Abraham Lincoln; the first photograph of lightning; celebrity portraits by Nickolas Muray and Arnold Newman; Alfred Stieglitz’s The Steerage; and Robert Capa’s D-Day, Omaha Beach. The exhibition also features photographs by Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Margaret Bourke-White, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Harold Edgerton, Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, and many other prominent photographers. The film component of the exhibition includes film clips, celebrity portraits, motion picture stills, lobby cards, and movie posters for early films made before 1923. Tickets are $10, free for Speed members.

Speed Museum
June 19 – September 16, 2007

I'm really excited about this exhibit. I can't wait for it to open.

Bring your dog to the Speed for a downright doggone good time. The day will offer a host of dog-centered activities, including photographic portraits, dress up, dog sitting services for those who want to tour the galleries inside and other dog-related fun. It is certain to be a howling good time for you and your four-legged family member. Admission is free.

Saturday, June 23, 11:30 am-4:00 pm ET
Speed Art Museum
(502) 634-2700

The Speed hosts the annual celebration of local Asian cultures for families. As one of the area’s largest Asian events, families can enjoy the arts and traditions of countries across Asia including China, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, the Phillipines, Uzbekistan, Samoa and Vietnam including traditional music and dance performances, informational displays, hands-on experiences, and games. Admission is free.

Saturday May 19
11:00AM-4:00PM