MONTCLAIR, NJ.- The 20132014 season at the
Montclair Art Museum marks its Centennial Year with exhibitions that highlight the Museums collections and that focus on New Jersey. 100 Works for 100 Years: A Centennial Celebration showcases MAMs permanent collection, with works reflecting its rich cultural legacy exhibited throughout the Museum and its grounds. The exhibition was installed in phases throughout the fall of 2013 and nearly the entire exhibition is already on view; it was unveiled at MAMs 100th Birthday Party on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, marking 100 years to the day to the Museums founding. This exhibition is curated by Gail Stavitsky, chief curator.
The exhibition is organized chronologically to address MAMs history throughout the years. The Museums Lehman and Shelby galleries feature key works from its founding collections of American and Native American art, including works by Childe Hassam, Ralph Albert Blakelock, Julian Alden Weir, and others. They are complemented by rare archival documents such as the invitation to the Museums opening in 1914, original newspaper articles marking key events in MAMs history, and historic photographs of the Museums galleries and visitors. The archival documents will be on display starting January 15.
The growth of the Museums collection from the 1920s to the 1980s is the focus of the presentation of over 40 works in McMullen Gallery. Works from the 18th century on are featured including those by Gilbert Stuart, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Robert Henri, Edward Hopper, George Bellows, Elsie Driggs, Robert Motherwell, Mark Rothko, Romare Bearden, Andy Warhol, and many others. Roberts Gallery highlights the most recent works in the collection (from the 1990s to the present) including examples by Jenny Holzer, Barbar Kruger, Douglas Miles, Lorna Simpson, Carrie Mae Weems, and Willie Cole. Selected works in the Museums George Inness Gallery and Rand Gallery of Native American art will also be highlighted with special labels specifying their inclusion in this celebration.