Huntsville, Ala – Beginning October 5, the Huntsville Museum of Art (HMA) will showcase the accomplished works of seven nationally and internationally-renowned master glass artists living and working in the Southeast region. The invitational group exhibition titled South by Southeast: Masters of Studio Glass will complement the Ginny Ruffner: Aesthetic Engineering glass exhibition, opening October 4.
Also organized by HMA, South by Southeast will include a range of works from fanciful tabletop vessels of blown, hot-worked and acid-etched glass to dramatic mixed-technique sculptures which combine cast and fabricated glass and steel. The exhibit will run through February 8, 2015.
“This exhibit celebrates the rich, glass-working traditions of the American Southeast,” Christopher J. Madkour, Executive Director of the Huntsville Museum of Art, said. “Coupled with our Ginny Ruffner exhibit, South by Southeast exemplifies the best glass arts and crafts our region has to offer.”
The participating artists are Ché Rhodes of Louisville, Kentucky; Stephen Rolfe Powell of Danville, Kentucky; Richard Jolley and Tommie Rush of Knoxville, Tennessee; John Littleton and Kate Vogel of Bakersville, North Carolina; and Rick Beck of Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
“The Pacific Northwest, where artist Ginny Ruffner works and lives, is known the world over for its association with the studio glass movement,” Peter J. Baldaia, Director of Curatorial Affairs, said. “But contemporary studio glass is flourishing in other regions of the country as well, including our own.”
On October 5 at 2 p.m., the public is invited to meet artists Rick Beck, John Littleton, and Kate Vogel at an Opening Day Gallery Walk. The artists will present an overview of their works, and The Women’s Guild will host a reception following the program in the Richard and Roper Room. The program is free for members and $10 for non-members, which includes general admission.
A trained museum docent will also lead a Highlight Tour on Sunday, February 8, the day the show closes, at 2 p.m. The tour is free for members and $10 for non-members, which includes general admission.
Exhibition support was provided by The Alabama State Council on the Arts, Altherr Howard Design, and The Women’s Guild of the Huntsville Museum of Art.
Beginning October 1, the Museum will extend its public hours and open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. While the Museum is closed to the public on Mondays, administrative offices are open. Admission is $10 for adult, non-members; $8 for military, students (age 12 and up), teachers, and seniors (60+) with a valid ID; $5 for children age 6−11; and $7 per person for groups of 10 or more. Museum members and children 5 and under are admitted FREE. For more information, visit www.hsvmuseum.org or call 256-535-4350.
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