EASTON, MD.- The Academy Art Museum in Easton, MD, opens three new diverse exhibitions beginning May 10 that showcase classic landscapes from a private collection, contemporary wood sculptures, and award-winning book illustrations.

The first exhibition, From Bierstadt to Wyeth: American Landscapes from a Private Collection will be on display May 10 through July 13, 2014 with curator-led tours on Wednesday, May 28, and Friday, June 20, both at 12 noon. This exhibition will showcase landscapes by American masters of the 19th and 20th centuries from a private collection. The collectors – who prefer to remain anonymous – have gathered very fine works of art over a period of some 25 years. The exhibition of mostly oil paintings and includes several well-known artists’ impressions by Albert Bierstadt, Rockwell Kent, George Inness, Leon Kroll, Jesse Leach France, Childe Hassam, Eastman Johnson, and N.C. Wyeth.

The exhibition, Wood Transformed: The Art of Vicco von Voss, will be displayed May 10 through July 13, 2014, with curator led tours on Wednesday, May 28 and Friday, June 20, both at 12 noon. Vicco von Voss was born in Kiel, Germany, where he was greatly influenced by both his grandfathers. One was a forester and woodcarver who inspired Vicco’s deep love of nature, understanding of trees, and introduced him to the craft of woodworking. The other was an architect who worked in conjunction with Frank Lloyd Wright to re-build structures in post-war Hamburg. The essence of Vicco’s work is in relationships: he feels a spiritual connection to trees, an understanding of the nature of wood, a collaborative partnership with clients, and a unique creative process with each piece. The exhibition will contain some 15 newly created wood sculptures and an entirely new body of work.

To celebrate Juneteenth, the Museum will feature the exhibition, Bryan Collier, Illustrator: Celebrating Juneteenth, which will be on display May 10 through July 20, 2014. A book reading and signing by Bryan Collier will be held at the Museum's Juneteenth Celebration, Saturday, June 21, 2014. Collier has a unique style of painting that incorporates both watercolors and collage. He received the Caldecott Honor book Medal winner for “Martin's Big Words: the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Doreen Rappaport (Jump at the Sun/ Hyperion) in 2002; for “Rosa,” illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Nikki Giovanni (Henry Holt and Company) in 2006; and for “Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave, illustrated by Bryan Collier,” written by Laban Carrick Hill (Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.) in 2011. His latest book, “Knock Knock,” was published in December 2013.