This summer at the Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, on the campus of Central Methodist University, visitors will have the chance to experience some of the most unique pieces in the permanent collection. The show, titled “Summer Delights,” will open on Sunday, May 25 and run through July 24.
Curator Tyler Pierson and registrar Joe Geist expressed excitement over the opportunity to showcase the Gallery’s recent acquisitions and hidden gems over the two months of the show.
“We have 1200 works in the collection, and we have so many little hidden gems that we want to showcase to give them their time to shine in the sun,” said Pierson.
Among those hidden gems – to be on exhibit in the Geist Gallery – is a colorful variety of works of different mediums. The show will feature several styles of paintings, as well as photo collages, lithographs, and other works from the permanent collection.
“I think it’s a great show. There’s a lot of variety,” added Geist. “It’s a great opportunity to see many artists that we’ve put together. It will be a very exciting show.”
In the Yancey Gallery, a collection of new additions and recent acquisitions will be displayed for the first time. Works by Charles Banks-Wilson and Robert MacDonald Graham, Jr. – a student of Thomas Hart Benton – are among the highlights for the show. Graham’s second ever painting, completed at just 14 years of age, is one of the favorite new additions that will be on display.
Rounding out the show will be a showcase of works by one of the most famous artists in history, Salvador Dalí, in the Bingham Gallery. Dalí, a 20th century Spanish artist, is known as one of the greatest artists of the Surrealist movement.
“Dalí is such a famous artist, so getting the chance to showcase the fact that we have 11 of his works is really, really exciting,” said Pierson.
The Dalí works, as well as the new and hidden gems, will be on display from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from May 25 to July 24, aside from a closing on Sunday, July 13. Special tours and groups are also welcome by appointment. Contact Pierson at tpierson@centralmethodist.edu or 660-248-6304 to schedule a time. The Gallery is located on the first floor of Classic Hall, on the CMU Fayette campus.