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The Douglas Society is the support group for the Denver Art Museum covering American Indian art, African art, and Oceanic art.
Frederic Huntington Douglas was one of the first scholars to recognize the artistic achievements of American Indians as well as the arts of Africa and Oceania. From 1929 to 1956, as the Denver Art Museum's Curator of Native Arts, he began acquiring the objects that form the core of what is now recognized throughout the world as one of the most important collections of native arts. In 1974 the Douglas Society was founded to honor and ensure the continuance of the work of Frederic Douglas.
May 2013 Program:
Red, White & Bold:
Masterworks of Navajo Design, 1840-1870:
Gallery Tour
Please join Nancy Blomberg for one of two special one-hour tours of this exciting new temporary exhibit of classic period Navajo blankets on Wendnesday, May 29 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, in the DAM Hamilton Building’s Martin & McCormick Gallery on Level 2.
While Navajo artists have been creating eye catching textiles since the late 17th century, the middle of the 19th century saw an explosion of color and design elaboration. Using primarily a limited, but bold, color palette of red, white and blue, artists created some of the most visually elaborate designs found at any time in their history. This exhibit will take an in-depth look at these masterpieces of design created over a 30 year period from 1840 to 1870, often considered the highpoint of Navajo weaving artistry.
This exhibition will present approximately 50 of the greatest examples of Navajo design expression. Drawing from DAM collections, other museums, and private collections this exhibit will surprise and delight museum visitors with the artists’ bold use of color and sophisticated design sensibilities. Created as prestige shoulder blankets and dresses, the exhibit will explore the designers’ eye in pattern development and layout. While each piece was created flat on a loom as a 2-D object the artist took great consideration to create a design that would transform it into a 3-D piece when worn wrapped around a body—especially highlighting the stature and visibility of the wearer.
Experience these textiles in a new way as the installation of these pieces will present them dramatically in the Martin & McCormick Gallery by juxtaposing their bold graphic elements and taking advantage of the soaring vertical architecture. Nancy is Curator of Native Arts and also Chief Curator of the Denver Art Museum.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013: 1-hour tour: choose one of two available times: 6pm & 7pm.
The check-in will be in the first-level Hamilton Building atrium; the tour will be in the
Martin & McCormick Gallery on the second level.
Doors open at 5:30 pm. Admission: (cash or check) Payment may be made at the door.
Douglas Society members $5, DAM me members $10, non-members $12, students free with ID.
NOTE: Each tour strictly limited to 50 persons, reservations required. So do reserve early
and be sure to indicate which tour you are signing up for.
RESERVATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO GO QUICKLY, CALL 720-913-0130
OR
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON-LINE via DENVER ART MUSEUM
If you need to make changes or cancellations after reservations are made please call 720-913-0130
See Newsletters for latest program information.