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Pop In to the Pop-Up Art Spot

Published May 8, 2013 Behind-the-Scenes , Center for Creative Connections , DMA Friends Closed
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Art Cart 3

On January 21, the Dallas Museum of Art introduced our new Pop-Up Art Spot, a place for free artistic activities in our galleries! Each week, the roaming Pop-Up Art Spot can be found in a different location, such as in the European art galleries on Level 2 or the Asian art galleries on Level 3. When you stretch your creativity muscles at the Pop-Up Art Spot, you can earn points and a badge through the DMA Friends program. Currently, we have three locations mapped out for our cart ,and each location has activities specifically designed to let visitors slow down and enjoy a new experience with works of art.

Here’s an example. When the cart pops up to the 20th-Century American Art Gallery, you can explore how artists use simple shapes to make complex compositions. Activities include using Shape Stencils to make a sketch inspired by Gerald Murphy’s Watch. Is sketching not your skill set? Have no fear! See below for more ideas.

When you join us on Level 3 near the entrance to the Asian art galleries, you will find a range of sketching and writing activities. Even the littlest visitors can look at the silver shrine and imagine themselves on top of an elephant. Or, if you are looking for something more challenging, take a Story Starter, find a work of art, and write a story about it. How will your story unfold from the introduction line that is provided?

Elephant Drawing

Elephant Drawing

This week, you can find us on Level 2 in the 20th-Century European Art Gallery. There, you can choose from surrealist-inspired games and creativity games like Speed Sketching, Unusual Combinations, or Take a Chance Poetry. Speed Sketching is great for those with a competitive streak. Play the game and see who can draw the most details from a single painting in two minutes. Unusual Combinations is a great collaborative game where participants take turns contributing to a communal drawing; the end product is a fun surprise for all! Take a Chance Poetry is an easy way to write a poem using the words of an artist from our collection. Start with a poem, then simply black out words to create a new poem of your own.

The next time you visit the Dallas Museum of Art, look for a Pop-Up Art Spot to have a creative experience with works of art in our collection for free. You might walk away with a new perspective about a work of art, someone you’re with, or yourself!

Jessica Fuentes is the C3 Gallery Coordinator.

The Art of Storytelling

Published May 7, 2013 People 1 Comment
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If you stop by the DMA on a First Tuesday or Late Night, chances are you have encountered our resident storyteller Ann Marie Newman. She was a born storyteller, creating alternate worlds and narrating stories as a child. She has been a professional storyteller for nineteen years and has been at the DMA for six.

Anne Marie dispels the myth that storytellers only read stories to children; rather, she says they “carry on oral traditions of what it is to be human.” She believes storytelling unites people from all cultures. She performs stories as if they are a memory, allowing her to connect with the audience as they journey through the story together. She not only engages her audience through participation but also by incorporating the senses into her performance, which helps audience members imagine they are experiencing the same sensations as the characters.

Artworks from the DMA’s permanent collection and special exhibitions inspire the stories Anne Marie performs at the the Museum. For her, there is a very natural connection between stories and art. When preparing for a performance, she prefers to view the art first with little contextual information. This allows for her own interpretation and creative response to the art. She describes her mind working like a spider’s web, connecting stories and folktales to the art she views.

She says creativity is her greatest gift, because it allows her to visualize and verbalize her stories. She suggests that people “don’t give up being a kid–experience life in magical ways.”

Join Ann Marie Newman and her cast of characters inspired by our special exhibition The Body Beautiful in Ancient Greece: Masterworks from the British Museum during our Late Night on May 17th at 7:30 p.m.

Holly York
McDermott Intern for Family Experiences

Twinkle Toes

Published May 6, 2013 Exhibitions Closed
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Celebrate Wednesday’s “No Sock Day” and bare your ankles when you visit our new exhibition, The Body Beautiful in Ancient Greece: Masterworks from the British Museum.

Friday Photos: Mighty Aphrodite

Published May 3, 2013 Friday Photos Closed
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Having just visited Rome for the first time last week, I am certainly geared up for our new exhibition, The Body Beautiful in Ancient Greece: Masterworks from the British Museum. While there, I not only enjoyed a ridiculous amount of bread and pasta, I also discovered some fantastic ancient artwork. One lady that I liked to search for in the many museum collections was Venus or, as she was known to the Greeks, Aphrodite. Here are some ancient sculptures of the Goddess of Love that I came across during my trip:

Stop by and visit Aphrodite and some more beautiful bodies in the exhibition when it opens this Sunday, May 5. And if you’re a DMA Friend, don’t forget to check in for your special exhibition badge!

Sarah Coffey
Assistant to the Chair of Learning Initiatives

Art Is My Client

Published May 2, 2013 Behind-the-Scenes , Staff 2 Comments
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Uncrated stopped by the design office and caught up with Becca Winti, Senior Graphic Designer, to learn more about her role here at the DMA. Rumor has it that she can do a perfect goat impression . . .

Describe your job in fifty words or less.
I provide design for print, environmental, and web-based communications for the Museum. Projects consist of brochures, invitations, ads, store product, way-finding signage, banners, billboards, DART bus graphics, and more. I carry the brand across all of the departments of the Museum to create a visual culture.

What might an average day entail?
I’m usually juggling anywhere from thirty to sixty jobs at one time, so my average day consists of a lot of multi-tasking! I go from working on a logo for a special exhibition to working on a vinyl “No Smoking” sign for our glass doors. Since I design print projects, I also attend many press checks. I work in a room with two other designers and an editor, which results in a lot of laughing and listening to music throughout the day. Never a dull moment!

How would you describe the best part of your job and its biggest challenges?
The best part of my job is that ART is my client! I also enjoy working with the different types of people that Museum life is filled with. Working as an in-house designer and creating collateral for different departments in the Museum that looks the same but feels different can be tricky. Each department wants to stand out. So the challenge is how to make them stand out but fit into our over-arching brand umbrella.

Growing up, what type of career did you envision yourself in? Did you think you’d work in an art museum?
I originally went to school to study architecture but soon realized that there is a lot of math and physics involved and that wasn’t going to work for me. So I made the migration to design communications. I didn’t realize that I could work for an art museum until I was about to graduate from college and saw representatives from the DMA at a student portfolio show that I attended. I worked for a design agency for a year or so straight out of school and then wanted to move on. I decided I would only stay in Dallas if I could work at the Dallas Museum of Art–and look what happened! I got my dream job and I‘ve been here for almost seven years.

What is your favorite work in the DMA’s collection?
It’s hard to have one favorite work. So I have a few. The first work that stands out in my mind is Buildings by Charles Demuth. I like anything that is architectural, and I love how vibrant the red is. I also really enjoy The Gentleman by Andrew Wyeth. The light that is captured is breathtaking. The work is dramatic but peaceful at the same time. Another favorite is Emma-O. He is so terrifying but that is what I love about him. The artist was successful in creating the King of Hells and evoking the emotion that you get from looking at him.

Is there a past exhibition that stands out in your mind as a favorite, or is there a particular upcoming show you’re looking forward to seeing?
Past exhibitions that have stood out for me (of course there isn’t just one) are Phil Collins: the world won’t listen, Take Your Time: Olafur Eliasson, Mark Bradford, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, and Posters of Paris: Toulouse-Lautrec and His Contemporaries.

Make This: Cosplay Armor and Accessories

Published May 2, 2013 Art & Teaching , Creativity , DIY Tutorial 3 Comments
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Takenouchi no Sukune Meets the Dragon King of the Sea, Japan, 1875-1879, Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, The John R. Young Collection, gift of M. Frances and John R. Young

In thinking of an activity relating to the sculpture above for our June Studio Creations workshops, I kept coming back to the idea of costumes. The outfits, armor, and accessories worn by each of the three figures is amazingly detailed, and with Dallas Comic Con on the way, making cosplay accessories seemed like a really fun project. I’m going to show you how I made a “fin”-style gauntlet. But you can apply these directions to make whatever you want: helmet, tiara, jewelry, cape, etc.

What you need:

  • Craft foam sheets (available at any craft store)
  • Self-adhesive foam stickers (optional)
  • Hot glue gun
  • Hair dryer or heat gun (optional)
  • Scissors
  • Sharpie marker
  • Scrap paper
  • Velcro (optional)
  • Elastic or rubber bands (optional)
  • Double-sided tape (optional)

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Steps

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Pieces for the base of the gauntlet

For the base of the gauntlet, I cut a piece of craft foam to fit the back of my forearm. I made a similar piece to encircle the back of my hand and palm.

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Heating the foam

Optional: I used a heat gun to carefully heat and shape the foam. While it was still warm, I formed the pieces around my forearm and hand. You could also do this with a glass, tube, etc. If you want to skip this step, you can curl the foam without heating it–it just doesn’t hold its shape as well.

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“Armor” pieces

I then cut more foam pieces for the armor plating. You can draw the shape directly on the foam with your sharpie or you could cut out a template to use from your scrap paper.

Save the scraps of foam that are left over–these can be used for decorations later! Self-adhesive foam shapes work well for decoration, too.

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Pieces after being heated and shaped

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Gluing the base together

I then used a hot glue gun to put all of the pieces together. Double-sided tape works, too.

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Armor pieces glued at an angle to make them pop out

You could use velcro or elastic to make a closure for the glove so that it stays on your wrist. In this case, I used the scrap foam to make some small studs that I will stretch rubber bands across to hold it in place.

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Finished glove

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Close-up of the stud attachments

Keep in mind that craft foam is very thin, so this armor is purely for show! And again, you can make almost anything you can imagine with these materials. For more ideas,  search “cosplay diy” and also check out this amazing tutorial.

And don’t forget to come to the DMA to see Takenouchi no Sukune Meets the Dragon King of the Sea and to participate in Studio Creations!

JC Bigornia
C3 Program Coordinator

Untitled – Creating Art Ball 2013

Published April 30, 2013 Behind-the-Scenes , Dallas , DFW , Fundraising , Special Events Closed
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Held every spring, the DMA Art Ball is one of the Museum’s largest fundraising events, and this year it exceeded all expectations! The reviews are raves for the entertainment, live and silent auctions, seated dinner in an expansive tent on the Museum’s Ross Avenue Plaza, and high-energy After Party in another tent at the Flora Street Entrance. Under the leadership of co-chairs Jennifer Karol and Catherine Rose, Untitled: Art Ball 2013 raised an impressive $2,250,000 to help the Museum in many areas, including conservation, technology, and the recent return to free general admission for all. How did we transform Ross Avenue Plaza into an elaborate venue? Watch the video below to see how the massive tent was constructed:

A highlight of the evening was the video Downtown Artsy, created as a thank you to the evening’s very generous sponsors. It featured DMA Director Maxwell Anderson as “Lord Grantham” and Mayor Rawlings as his valet, along with other local celebrities.

Debbie Stack is Director of Special Events and Volunteer Relations at the DMA.

The Spot for Art

Published April 30, 2013 Creativity , Museum Insight , works of art 1 Comment
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Over the last few years, DMA visitors may have come to know the drop-in art making area in the Center for Creative Connections as the Space Bar, a name that corresponded with our Encountering Space exhibition. If you’ve come into C3 lately, you probably noticed that we like to make strong connections and keep things fresh. When it was known as the Space Bar, this area offered materials loosely based on works of art in the C3 Gallery. Every month we changed the materials to focus on a new theme related to the concept of space.

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Martin Delabano, Family Portrait 1963, 2001, Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Bryant M. Hanley, Jr., Lorine and David H. Gibson, and Sonny Burt and Bob Butler

Now known as the Art Spot, this area still offers art-making for anyone, anytime, but the focus is now on a specific artwork. Since November 2012, Martin Delabano’s Family Portrait 1963 has provided inspiration for our visitors. The complexity of this piece allows us to explore various themes over an extended period of time.

In November and December, we encouraged visitors to better understand the characters within the sculpture and consider the clues the artist has given us by the items associated with each family member. Visitors could use the materials provided to create their own 3D Family Portrait.

During January and February, we focused on the sculptural aspect of this piece and the assortment of materials the artist used.  Our visitors used materials ranging from buttons to wood scraps to create Found Object Sculptures.

In March and April we took a closer look at the four-legged family member, Crackers, and asked visitors to make their own pet or an imaginary Pet Pal for the Delabano family pet.

Next month our theme changes once again. This time we are taking the perspective of the artist, who in 2001 portrayed his family and himself as they were in 1963. Martin Delabano isn’t the artist at the easel, rather he’s the young boy posing like our beloved “Big Tex” from the State Fair of Texas. Come by C3 in May and June to see Family Portrait 1963 and make a Past or Future Self-Portrait of your own.

Jessica Fuentes
C3 Gallery Coordinator

Friday Photos: Featuring Texas

Published April 26, 2013 Friday Photos Closed
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Today’s Friday Photos features a selection of pieces from the Dallas Museum of Art’s permanent collection that were purchased with the Texas Artists Fund. The DMA is dedicated to supporting Texas artists through acquisitions, Awards to Artists grants, and exhibitions such as the upcoming DallasSITES: Charting Contemporary Art 1963 to Present, a show that celebrates the history of the North Texas art scene and opens here at the DMA on May 26, 2013.

Featured Works:

  • Helen Altman, Pig, 1995, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund and gift of Karol Howard and George Morton.
  • Kelli Connell, Giggle, 2002, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund.
  • James Drake, Valley of the World, 1994, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund.
  • Adrian Esperanza, Here and There, 2002, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund.
  • Patrick Faulhaber, Glo, 1997, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund.
  • Sam Gummelt, Jacksboro, 1971, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund
  • Benny Joseph, Couple Dancing, Eldorado Ballroom, Houston, negative 1962, print 1988, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund.
  • Barbara Maples, Plastic Boxes 2, c. 1967-1968, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund.
  • Nic Nicosia, Untitled (Floor Painting), 2009, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund.
  • John Pomara, Deadline No. 5, 2001, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund.
  • Allison V. Smith, Hall Pass. February 2006. Marathon, TX, 2006, Dallas Museum of Art, Texas Artists Fund.

Alex Vargo
McDermott Intern for Gallery Teaching

Culinary Canvas: Strawberry Squares

Published April 25, 2013 Culinary Canvas Closed
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This month’s recipe was an experiment that started with a pound of strawberries and turned into a tasty breakfast treat. The inspiration, Untitled (Yellow Table on Green) by Hans Hofmann, is a wonderful abstract still life that can really only be appreciated when viewed in person. The vibrant colors and thick use of paint make the table seem so enticing, you’ll want to pull up a seat and pile your plate full of colorful eats. I imagine my strawberry creation would fit right in.

Hans Hofmann, Untitled (Yellow Table on Green), 1936, Dallas Museum of Art, fractional gift of The Rachofsky Collection in honor of Dr. Dorothy Kosinski, the Barbara Thomas Lemmon Curator of European Art

Hans Hofmann, Untitled (Yellow Table on Green), 1936, Dallas Museum of Art, fractional gift of The Rachofsky Collection in honor of Dr. Dorothy Kosinski, the Barbara Thomas Lemmon Curator of European Art

Strawberry Squares

Yields about 15 squares
Level: Easy

Crust:

¾ cup (about 7 sheets) graham crackers
¾ cup slivered almonds, toasted
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:

1 cup fresh strawberries (about 10 medium berries), hulled
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup flour

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly butter a 9×13 baking dish.

Crust: Crush graham crackers into food processor or blender and process until crumbled. Add toasted almonds, sugar, and melted butter, and continue processing into a moist crumb. Press crust mixture evenly into dish. Bake 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

Filling: Quarter strawberries. Add berries to blender and puree until smooth. Set aside.

Place cream cheese and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat at medium speed until smooth. Mix in almond extract and egg. Add strawberry puree and continue mixing until fully combined. Sprinkle in salt and flour and mix until just incorporated.

Pour filling over prepared crust. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool completely and refrigerate. Serve chilled with fresh strawberries on top.

 
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Original recipe.

Sarah Coffey
Assistant to the Chair of Learning Initiatives

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