Martin Museum Will Celebrate Reopening and Present John James Audubon Exhibit

September 27, 2018
Audobon

The ?John James Audubon: Life, Work and Legacy? exhibition will open Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Martin Museum of Art. ("Brown Pelican" from "Birds of America" by John James Audubon)

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-710-6275
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by Jessie Jilovec, student newswriter

WACO, Texas (Sept. 27, 2018) – Baylor University’s Martin Museum of Art will celebrate its reopening after a summer renovation project with an exhibit featuring “John James Audubon: Life, Work and Legacy.” The exhibition will open Saturday, Sept. 29, and run through Nov. 11.

The renovations to the museum, which were completed over the summer, include a new reception area and entrance to the museum, as well as updates to walls, mechanical and lighting systems to improve the museum’s environment. Additional renovation projects are being planned and expected to be completed in 2019.

Audubon was an American artist, ornithologist and naturalist. The exhibition will feature work from his “The Birds of America” and “Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America,” along with published works from other ornithological and naturalist artists. It will explore Audubon’s life, his journey creating “The Birds of America” and its impact in the scientific and artistic communities.

Allison Chew, director of the Martin Museum, said the exhibition gives the Martin Museum the opportunity to share their unique collection of Audubon engravings and lithographs with the Baylor community and general public. She said Audubon created a monumental ornithological publication that captured the birds he passionately documented.

“Not only is this an artistic treasure, but it also offers biographical information of the artist, conversations about conservation and an historical record for the scientific community,” Chew said. “The diverse nature of content in the exhibition offers students, faculty, staff and visitors a variety of ways to access, interpret and appreciate the work on display.”

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore Audubon’s artistic process, examine works of his contemporaries and experience the lasting impact of Audubon on generations of artists and in fields of science, including ornithology and environmental conservation.

On Sept. 29, the Martin Museum will host an opening day celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with refreshments, food for purchase and activities for families. The Martin Museum is partnering with several cultural organizations to bring the legacy of Audubon to life through education. Activities available during this event include:

• Meeting birds from Cameron Park Zoo from noon to 2 p.m.
• Making bird feeders and binoculars from upcycled materials while learning about birds from the local chapter of Audubon Society.
• Reading books related to nature and birds in a pop-up library hosted by the Waco-McLennan County Public Library.
• Working with Baylor photo lab to create an Audubon-themed photogram.
• Creating and coloring a “flying” bird craft with the Mayborn Museum.

The event and exhibition will be held in Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center, 60 Baylor Ave. All activities are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Allison Chew at 254-710-4734 or Allison Chew.

ABOUT MARTIN MUSEUM OF ART

The mission of the Martin Museum of Art is one of education and service by bringing outstanding art exhibitions, speakers and guest artists to Baylor University and Central Texas. The museum serves as a valuable teaching tool for students and faculty. Exhibitions complement the courses of art history and studio art taught within Baylor’s department of art. The permanent collection consists of approximately 1,300 objects representing a variety of art that has been donated to or purchased by Baylor, including art by such well-known artists as Robert Rauschenberg, Kathe Kollwitz, Francisco de Goya and Edouard-Leon Cortes. Included in the collection are approximately 300 paintings by famous watercolor artists, among them George Post, Phil Dike, Edgar Whitney and John Marin.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.