This sculpture entitled, "Diana" is part of the "Connoisseur" exhibit at the William King Museum of Arts, Abingdon, Virginia.
“Connoisseur” opens Aug. 17 at William King Museum of Art, Abingdon, Virginia. The exhibition celebrates the fine art and cultural tastes of art object collectors throughout the region. Instead of exhibiting a set of artists or genres, “Connoisseur” aims to explore the minds of who we are as collectors, what we value and what we can share with others. This second quinquennial “Connoisseur” exhibition is composed of more than a dozen collections from private individuals throughout the Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee region. These collections range from historical artifacts to contemporary famous artists and are sure to have something to please every visitor. Glass works by Chihuly, jackets worn by Elvis and an original lithograph by Matisse are just examples of some of the intriguing pieces you can find in “Connoisseur.”
These selected pieces from diverse collections are a representation of the fine tastes of collectors in our region, and they are also an educational opportunity to learn about different aspects of history and art that are not often found in our region. With collections of pieces from 45 different countries, this exhibition provides a valuable perspective on global visual culture. Visitors can see pieces of our local history, as well as American history as a whole. From fine bronze sculptures from the Gilded Age to centuries old American coinage, several of the represented collections take you back through time.
This exhibition is organized by WKMA and curated by Emily Jordan, curator of decorative and fine art, and Anna Buchanan, curator of contemporary fine art and craft. It is presented in the United Company and The Legard Gallery from Aug. 17 to Nov. 19 and is part of the McGlothlin Exhibition Series.
Join curators Anna Buchanan and Emily Jordan Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. for Tours at Two - a free guided tour of “Connoisseur: Private Collecting in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.” Registration is required for Tours at Two, email Anna Buchanan at abuchanan@wkmuseum.org to sign up.
William King Museum of Art is open seven days a week: Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free. For information on exhibitions or events at William King Museum of Art visit williamkingmuseum.org or call 276-628-5005. Register for classes and events on WKMA’s website.
William King Museum of Art is located at 415 Academy Drive, off West Main Street or Russell Road, in Abingdon. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, William King Museum of Art is a partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a member of the Virginia Association of Museums and is funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
