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Orlando Museum of Art
Philanthropists abound within the exciting permanent and special exhibitions on display at the Orlando Museum of Art. Dale Chihuly, a master glass worker, organized a collection of his own creations to bring the art of glass making to a wider audience that will benefit students interested in this decorative medium. There are three collections available, at the Orlando Museum of Art, that highlight the importance of art to collectors and their willingness to donate or loan pieces to museums to illustrate cultural significance. African-American, Peruvian and South African art are the cultures available for study, understanding and enjoyment thanks to the efforts of the donors and the Orlando Museum of Art. Chihuly Across Florida:
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Dale Chihuly organized the exhibition Chihuly Across Florida, which showcases his talent in the design and creation of impressive glass sculptures. In a generous spirit of cooperation The Orlando Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg jointly present a simultaneous exhibition of the largest ever presentation of the works of Dale Chihuly. Included in the exhibitions are some of his best-known series such as Seaforms, Persians, Baskets and Macchia. |
A Tacoma, Washington native, Dale Chihuly initially developed his skills while studying interior design at the University of Washington. He attended the first glass program then available in the USA, at the University of Wisconsin. He established the glass program at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he taught for over a decade.
Chihuly was able to study at the Venini factory in Venice, Italy after he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship enabling him to continue to develop his talent.
Considered a leader in the acknowledgment of glass design as a fine art.
"We are proud to help bring Dale Chihuly's cutting edge works to Florida," said Bill Habermeyer, President and CEO of Progress Energy Foundation, the presenting regional sponsor for Chihuly Across Florida. Bill added, "It speaks to the strength of the arts in Florida than an exhibition of such magnitude has been developed specifically for shows in St. Petersburg and Orlando."
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Dale Chihuly designed each exhibition to reflect the architectural features of the displaying museum. The contemporary Orlando Museum of Art providing an open, expansive environment, where the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg has a traditional setting with a Mediterranean style. The artist took these into consideration while selecting glass works that he felt would be best displayed in the museums. |
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Philanthropic Gestures.
Three separate collectors of art have individually arranged for the Orlando Museum to display historically and culturally significant collections.
Primary among these is the just opened Something All Our Own: The Grant Hill Collection of African American Art. The Orlando Museum of Art has been honored as the first location of this traveling exhibition. Details of the Grant Hill Collection are included in a feature article in this edition of International Art Treasures Web Magazine.
Click Here for The Grant Hill Collection Article
Ancestors of the Incas:
The Majesty of Ancient Peru
Selections and Gifts from the
Dr. and Mrs. Solomon D. Klotz Collection
Extended through June 2005
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The Orlando Museum of Art has extended Ancestors of the Incas: The Majesty of Ancient Peru to June 2005 thanks to popular demand. The pieces date from 1400 B.C. to 1530 A.D. Included within this particular exhibit are 69 recent donations from the exceptional collection amassed by Dr. and Mrs. Solomon D. Klotz to the permanent collection of Art of Ancient Americas at OMA. |
The museum hosts the first exhibition of over 210 objects that trace the development of Peruvian cultures including Incan, Chavin, Nazca, Moche, Chimú and Hurai.
The collection includes a large silver vessel that is shaped like a llama head, exquisite carved shell and turquoise necklaces specific to the Chimú culture and a group of stirrup-spout ceramic vessels from the Chavin culture. One is pictured above.
The Chavin culture is in fact one of the oldest artistic traditions in Peru. It is believed that the Chavin culture is the base from which the other Peruvian cultures emerged. Art was important to the culture and yet the designs of the specific pieces may well appear to be abstract when viewed with a modern eye. The Chavin culture is said to begin in 400 BC but many of the elements specific to Chavin date back to 1400 BC.
According to noted archaeologist Dr. Michael Moseley, Professor of Anthropology, University of Florida, commenting after a visit to the Orlando Museum of Art, "There are many very superb pieces. [The recent acquisitions] in conjunction with the OMA's previous holdings, will put the OMA on the map for Andean scholars."
Of Power and Grace:
Art of Southern Africa
Selections and Gifts
from The Norma Canelas and William D. Roth Collection
Extended through
July 11, 2004
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The original exhibition, Of Power and Grace: The Art of Southern Africa has grown thanks to the donation of additional pieces from the Norma Canelas and William D. Roth Collection of African Art, selections of which now form this exhibit. This is the fifth in a series of exhibitions from this important collection. |
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Fans of culture will appreciate the opportunity not only to learn of the ancient Peruvian art and history but also, thanks to this collection, about southern Africa. Ample time is required to view both spectacular exhibits from which much can be learned of the influence and domination of art within early civilizations.