FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tricia Suit Marketing and Communications Manager (513) 684-4526, tsuit@taftmuseum.org
Taft Museum of Art Calendar of Events – February 2011 Special Exhibitions February 18–May 15, 2011 The American Impressionists in the Garden Spring begins a bit early in 2011, withThe American Impressionists in the Garden. Bringing together brilliantly colored paintings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the exhibition features 40 pictures of European and American gardens created by American Impressionists and four bronze sculptures for gardens by American sculptors. This exhibition explores the importance of gardens in American art and society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During that time, American impressionist painters turned their attention to the garden, finding it an ideal subject for the study of light and color in landscape, and they were not alone.  Some celebrated American artists included in the exhibition are John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, Gari Melchers, Ernest Lawson, and Frederick Frieseke. The relationships between the gardening movement and the fine arts of painting and sculpture is the focus of this exhibition, which is organized by the Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art in Nashville, Tenn. Programs & Events Highlights of the Taft Sundays, 1:30 p.m. After lunch or before a concert on Sunday afternoons, join a Taft docent for a tour of the highlights of the Museum’s world-renowned collection. Free with Museum admission. No reservations are taken. For information call (513) 684-4515. Drop-in Tours: The American Impressionists in the Garden Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. A Taft docent will lead a tour through the special exhibition Wednesdays, 12:45 and 1:15 p.m. Taft in 10 Come for lunch—stay for a quick (sound) bite in the galleries. Enjoy an informal ten-minute conversation every Wednesday as we serve up some of the Museum’s many masterpieces as well as some lesser-known nibbles. Free with Museum admission or lunch in the café. February 2 – Chinese Covered Jar with Boys at Play February 9 – Robert Louis Stevenson by John Singer Sargent February 16 – Italian Courting Dish with Cupid Blindfolded and Bound February 23 – Souvenir of Riva: Evening Glow by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot FREE with Museum admission or café/shop purchase, no reservations taken. For information call (513) 684-4515 Sponsor: Mike and Digi Schueler Sunday, February 6, 2 p.m. ArtReach Theatre: Freedom Songs Join us as we celebrate American spirituals along with music of equality and perseverance. From the 1800s to today, Freedom Songs highlights inspirational music that will bring you a new appreciation of dedication and persistence.  Cost: FREE for members, $4 general public. Reservations required, call (513) 684-4516 or www.taftmuseum.org Sponsor: Charles H. Dater Foundation ArtsWave Partner: Convergys Corp. Friday, February 25, 1:30 p.m. Gallery Talk: The American Impressionists in the Garden Chief Curator Lynne Ambrosini leads a tour through this beautiful garden of paintings. FREE with Museum admission. Reservations required: (513) 684-4515 or www.taftmuseum.org Artswave Partner: Duke Energy Corp. Sunday, February 27, 2 p.m. Chamber Music Series The 58th-annual Chamber Music Series returns to the Taft at a new time. Please note that concerts will begin at 2 p.m. Enjoy traditional and unexpected chamber ensembles and recitals featuring strings, piano, brass, and more. Sponsor: The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation ArtsWave Partner: American Financial Group and Related Entities
The Taft Museum of Art is at 316 Pike St., in downtown Cincinnati. The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors and free for children under 18. The museum is free to all on Sundays. Call 513-241-0343 or visit the website at www.taftmuseum.org for additional information. ###### The Taft Museum of Art is supported in part by the generosity of individuals and businesses that give annually to the Fine Arts Fund. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Museum with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Taft Museum of Art is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is affiliated with the Association of Midwest Museums and the Ohio Museums Association. Mission Statement The Taft Museum of Art welcomes people of every background to experience a world-renowned collection in a beautiful historic house. Through its intimate presentation of the Tafts' treasures and its engaging exhibitions, programs, and activities, the Museum creates enjoyment and learning opportunities for all. Diversity Statement The Taft Museum of Art respects the dignity of all people and values what each member of our team brings to the organization. Accordingly, the Museum is committed to building an inclusive environment that welcomes and values diversity. This includes our staff, board of directors, volunteers and visitors. As an organization we recognize the importance of attracting and retaining talented people of different backgrounds. We understand how a diverse work team of staff, board of directors and volunteers benefits our organization by enabling us to draw upon a richness of resources. We want all our team members to feel appreciated for their uniqueness, so we work to foster an environment that provides everyone equal access to information and opportunities. This ensures that each person learns, grows, excels and maximizes his or her personal contributions. The Museum will thus be able to tap into a greater wealth of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences to develop and deliver programs and services to an increasingly diverse audience.