June at the American Folk Art Museum

Three new exhibitions opening this month!

Untitled (Man in Blue Pants) by Bill Traylor

There's a lot going on this month at the American Folk Art Museum. The Venice Biennale opens June 1, and its centerpiece is Il Enciclopedico Palazzo Del Mondo, a work from the Museum’s collection, constructed by Marino Auriti (1891–1980). Visit our Tumblr, which chronicles the event.

June also brings three new exhibitions: Bill Traylor: Drawings from the Collections of the High Museum of Art and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Traylor in Motion: Wonders from New York Collections, and Recent Gifts. Not a member? Join now to attend the exhibition opening on June 11.

Then on June 26, an evening program will raise questions about the art of the self-taught, with ideas and answers from a stellar panel of speakers.

For more information on this month’s lectures, music, crafts, and more, read on. We’re looking forward to seeing you this summer.

At the 2013 Venice Biennale

June 1 through November 24, 2013

The American Folk Art Museum is featured prominently at the 2013 Venice Biennale, the world’s foremost international art exhibition, on view from June 1 through November 24, 2013. Follow the journey on Tumblr. The curator, Massimiliano Gioni, has included in his selection Il Enciclopedico Palazzo del Mondo (The Encyclopedic Palace of the World), a monumental work by Italian immigrant Marino Auriti (1891–1980) from the Museum’s collection, which also inspired the title of this 55th edition of the Biennale.

Free Music Fridays
Friday, June 14, 5:30–7:30 pm

Enjoy live music and a cash wine bar in the galleries each Friday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Admission is always free.

Hosted by Lara Ewen, our June 14 lineup features ukulele player Jessica Graves, country folk from S teph Allen, and Americana from Paul Basile.

Wine is available for a $5.00 donation (free for members), and attendees can also get a copy of our Free Music Fridays CD. The 16-track compilation costs $5.00, and features some of our favorite series performers.

More Free Music Fridays >

Untitled (Spread-Legged Drinker), Bill Traylor (c. 1854â1949)

Panel Discussion: The Museum, the Critics, and the Self-Taught

Thursday, June 26, 5–6:30 pm
Reception to follow

Speakers:

G. Roger Denson, Independent art critic (Huffington Post) and curator

Brett Littman, Director, The Drawing Center, and art critic

Jerry Saltz, Art critic (New York magazine)

Karen Wilkin, Independent art critic (Art in America, Wall Street Journal) and curator

Organized and moderated by Valérie Rousseau, PhD, Curator, art of the self-taught and art brut, American Folk Art Museum

This conversation with renowned and incisive art critics will focus on the institutionalization of art that has been made outside of established channels and Western artistic tradition. How will specialized museums, including the American Folk Art Museum, distinguish themselves in the study and recognition of these complex, diverse, and often vulnerable works?

Reservations are required; space will be limited and early registration is suggested.

Tickets: $10 general admission; $5 museum members; Free for students and artists.

Info: education@folkartmuseum.org
or 212. 265. 1040, ext. 381

More in Public Programs>

Untitled (Exciting Event: House with Figures), Bill Traylor (c. 1854â1949)

Bill Traylor: Drawings from the Collections of the High Museum of Art and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

Traylor in Motion: Wonders from New York Collections

and

Recent Gifts

opening June 11, 2013

The two Bill Traylor exhibitions collectively include more than 100 drawings and paintings by self-taught Alabama artist Bill Traylor. Traylor began making art near the end of his life, and his works are notable for their flat, simply defined shapes and vibrant compositions in which memories and observations relating to African American life are merged. Traylor is recognized as one of the finest American artists of the 20th century.
Exhibition catalog available.

All three exhibitions are sponsored in part by Joyce Berger Cowin, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the Ford Foundation, the David Davies and Jack Weeden Fund for Exhibitions, the Robert Lehman Foundation, and Laura and Richard Parsons. Lectures and symposia are supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Rising Star Variation Quilt, Elsey A. Halstead (1830â1850)

Make It Thursday
Thursday, June 20, 6–7:30 pm

Make an Embroidery Sampler!

Embroidery is a creative way to add decoration to clothing, tote bags, linens, throw pillows, gifts, and wall hangings. Learn ways to embellish fabrics with basic stitches—seed stitch, lazy daisy, satin stitch, chain stitch, and French knots, among others. You will leave with your own colorful sampler. No experience needed.

Free for museum members; $10 for non-members. Includes refreshments

Space is limited.
Tickets may be purchased online.

For workshop information, to reserve free member tickets, or if you are a crafter insterested in leading a session, please contact Hope Bodwell at 212. 265. 1040, ext. 311, or hbodwell@folkartmuseum.org.

More Make It Thursday>

Untitled (Two Men, Dog, and Owl), Bill Traylor (c. 1854â1949)

Free Public Tours

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 pm

Join our Museum gallery guides for a free public tour of our exhibitions every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 pm, beginning June 27. Check our calendar for occasional schedule changes.