Faculty and staff members trickled into Blackwell Hall for Longwood's weekly Blackwell Talks, a research seminar series held on Mondays where research findings and ideas are presented to an informal faculty forum. The event often highlights faculty-led research projects, but this week it featured a special look into the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) and the newest collection on display at Main St. location.
The exhibition, titled "Three-Ring Circus," highlights a folk art collection generously donated by William and Ann Oppenhimer of Richmond, Va. Considered one of the best examples of folk art in the country, the Oppenhimer Folk Art Collection was established at the LCVA in 2008. As promised, with the help of the National Conference of the Folk Art Society of America, the center will display works a part of the Oppenhimer Collection.
The exhibit not only features modern folk art, but also work from the most famous artists dating back 60 years. Some of the self-taught artists included are Minnie Adkins Linvel, Lilian Barker and William Dawson. Paintings, carvings and much more are featured as pieces of art. The LCVA website says that as part of the exhibition, the LCVA will host events from the annual meeting of the Folk Art Society of America in September 2011.
The Oppenhimer has worked over the years to develop relationships with folk artists across the country and in Poland. According to a press release from the LCVA, the couple founded the Folk Art Society of America, which helps foster a promotion of folk art and a documentation of folk artists in the magazine "Folk Art Messenger."
The exhibition consists of three "tents." Each tent has a specific theme. The themes include "We the People," which features fascinating people and symbols that are a part of American life; "Animal Kingdom," which focuses on different types of plant and animal life; and "Tent Revival," the exploration into the spiritual and the soul.
According to Curator of Education for the LCVA Emily Gresham, 268 pieces were selected to be shown in the exhibition out of around 900 choices. Gresham explained to the faculty that the inspiration for many of the pieces the artists made came from their stories and their backgrounds, and she wanted to be able to show that to people.
The exhibition opened on Friday, Sept. 9 and will remain at the facility until Jan. 6, 2012.
The LCVA's hours are Monday through Saturday from 11-5 p.m. Admission to the center is free and open to the public.
