Fall Art Events Celebrate American Works

Lecture by renowned art historian John Wilmerding kicks off three art week events

Several upcoming University Museum events are upcoming

OXFORD, Miss. – Education and entertainment are on tap at the University of Mississippi during several upcoming University Museum events sure to please art and history buffs alike.

A lecture series presentation, a members’ party and the annual Harvest Supper provide opportunities to learn more about American art and its role in portraying American history. The events also support the University Museum.

Distinguished art historian John Wilmerding will present “Building a New Museum: Collecting American Art for the Crystal Bridges Museum” on Oct. 8. Wilmerding, the Sarofim Professor of American Art emeritus at Princeton University, will deliver the lecture at 6 p.m. at the Lyric Oxford. The event, which begins with a reception at 5 p.m., is hosted by the museum, Friends of the Museum, the UM Department of Art, Academic Traveler, University Lecture Series and the Lyric Oxford. It is free to the public.

“The best thing about living in a university community is access to and the high value placed on learning,” said Dorothy Howorth, chair of the Friends of the Museum. “The opportunity to hear one of America’s foremost scholars discuss the close connection between our nation’s history and art is rare. Dr. Wilmerding’s work in academia and in museums shows that he is capable of reaching any audience at its own level, from freshman undergraduates to his fellow Ph.D.s.”

Wilmerding is chairman of the board of trustees of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark. He previously served as a visiting curator in the Department of American Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and as senior curator and deputy director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. He is also chairman of the board of trustees of the National Gallery and a trustee of the Guggenheim Museum and the Wyeth Foundation for American Art.

As part of its annual membership party, University Museum will host an opening reception for “Recollecting: 1980-2012,” works by Ron Dale. Dale’s work is on display at the University Museum through Jan. 11, 2014. The reception, set for 5-7 p.m. Oct. 10 at the museum, is open to the public, including those who are not yet members of the museum.

Immediately following the reception, Friends of the Museum will host its annual Harvest Supper, a fundraising event benefiting University Museum and Historic Houses. Harvest Supper includes an evening of food, music and fun on the grounds of Rowan Oak. A limited number of tickets are available from the museum.

University Museum was recently named one of the 20 Best College Art Museums by Complex Art+Design website. It is at the intersection of University Avenue and Fifth Street. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Admission is always free for UM students, UM Museum members and children under the age of 5. For more information, visit http://museum.olemiss.edu or call 662-915-7073.

— Sharon Morris, Ole Miss News Desk