Audubon, Then and Now
August 3 – November 25, 2018
In 1826 at the age of 41, encouraged by his wife, Audubon took his portfolio of 300+ works to England. Today, more than ever his work endures and segments of his work are right here at the Biggs in Dover. This exhibition examines the importance of the artist and naturalist, John James Audubon, through a large exhibition of his earliest works from both the Birds of America and Viviparous Quadropeds publications. This historical analysis will be coupled with the works of contemporary artists influenced by early naturalists and recorded in an exhibition catalog with color reproductions and essays by leading scholars.
Modern opinions of Audubon’s legacy will also be explored with displays of artworks by living artists influenced by this paragon of 19th century naturalist art. Learn More
From Nature: The Children’s Book Illustrations of Nancy Carol Willis
October 5, 2018 – January 27, 2019
Like John J. Audubon, Nancy Carol Willis demonstrates a deep feeling for nature based upon a lifetime of close observation, sketching, and painting. From October-January, the Schoonover Illustration Gallery will host 18 illustrations from three of Willis’s award-winning natural science children’s picture books. The books depict North American species in their natural habitats.
Biggs Shot 2018
December 7, 2018 – January 27, 2019
The Biggs Museum of American Art presents Biggs Shot 2018, the fifth juried photography competition and exhibition featuring the work of professional and emerging photographers, working and/or living in the Mid-Atlantic region. The theme for Biggs Shot 2018 is open, and any photographic medium can be submitted for consideration, including film, video and digital formats. Photographers can learn how to enter here.
Rooted, Revived and Reinvented: Basketry in America
February 1 – April 28, 2019
Rooted, Revived, Reinvented: Basketry in America chronicles a history of American basketry from its origins in Native American, immigrant, and slave communities to its presence within the contemporary fine art world. Baskets convey meaning through the artists’ selection of materials; the techniques they use; and the colors, designs, patterns, and textures they employ. Historical baskets were rooted in local landscapes and shaped by cultural traditions. The rise of the industrial revolution and mass production at the end of the nineteenth century led basket makers to create works for new audiences and markets, including tourists, collectors and fine art museums. Today the story continues. Some contemporary artists seek to maintain and revive traditions practiced for centuries. Others combine age-old techniques with nontraditional materials to generate cultural commentary. Still others challenge viewers’ expectations by experimenting with form, materials, and scale. This exhibition is divided into 5 sections: Cultural Origins, New Basketry, Living Traditions, Basket as Vessel, and Beyond the Basket.
Check back frequently – exhibition and event details are updated often!