Dorothy Dehner (1901-1994) Bolton Landing/Lake Scene, 1934 Watercolor and pencil on paper, 10 x 12 inches Gift of the Dorothy Dehner Foundation for the Visual Arts
Monday marks the opening of two new exhibits in the Hillstrom Museum of Art at Gustavus Adolphus College, Eloquent Objects: African Works from the Collection of Ruth and Raymond Reister and Watercolors in the Hillstrom Museum of Art.
The opening reception will be 7–9 p.m. on November 25, and features a gallery talk by historian of African art Martha G. Anderson. Anderson has published extensively on the topic and conducted field research in Africa. She is emeritus professor of art history at Alfred University in New York.
The exhibit features works from various African regions, cultures, and styles, with common themes. “Among the most pervasive are the importance of women in African culture, concepts of ideal leadership, and messages conveyed by posture, dress, and body art,” Anderson says.
All pieces in the exhibit were gifted to the college from the estate of Ruth and Raymond Reister. Ruth Reister was on the Gustavus Board of Trustees for several years and she and her husband, Raymond, were avid collectors of African art.
The second exhibit, Watercolors in the Hillstrom Museum of Art, features approximately 40 pieces, including Dorothy Dehner, Alexander Calder, and Reginald Marsh. The works are accompanied by a text written by Associate Professor of Art and Art History Betsy Byers entitled “Joy of Watercolor.”
The opening reception and gallery talk are free and open to the public, as is the Hillstrom Museum of Art. The exhibits are open through January 31. Regular museum hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Friday and 1–5 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, but will be closed November 27–December 1 for Thanksgiving break.
Further information about the Museum can be found at gustavus.edu/hillstrom.