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April 1, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sarah Ferri
(860) 838-4081
sarah.ferri@wadsworthatheneum.org
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
May 2015 Calendar
The following programs are for your calendars and event listings. Please note: some programs require a
separate fee; please include this information with any mentions of such programs. If you have any
questions or would like to request a related publicity image, please contact Sarah Ferri, Communications
& Marketing Coordinator, at (860) 838-4081 or sarah.ferri@wadsworthatheneum.org.
FEATURED EVENT
May 1 – 3
34th Annual Fine Art & Flowers
During this three-day museum fundraiser floral arrangements and garden designs inspired by artworks in the
museum’s permanent collection are created by community florists, garden clubs and designers, to be
displayed in the galleries throughout the weekend for the public to enjoy. The weekend also features special
events (listed below), docent-led tours and a marketplace with local vendors. Admission to the museum
during “Fine Art & Flowers” is: $13 Adults; $11 Seniors (62+); $8 Students with ID; $3 members and
children (ages 2-12).
SPECIAL EVENTS DURING FINE ART & FLOWERS:
•
Friday, May 1, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
“Coney Island Cafe”
A cocktail reception inspired by “Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland,” featuring Onyx
Moonshine, NoRA Cupcakes, Bear’s BBQ Smokehouse and City Steam Brewery, plus treats from
Coney Island. $35 advance; $45 at the door. Purchase tickets online or call (860) 838-4100
Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
•
Saturday, May 2, 2 – 3 p.m.
Floral Demonstrations in Avery Court
Visitors may learn about the art of floral arranging from five local professionals. Free with
admission.
•
Sunday, May 3, 1 – 2 p.m.
“Meet the Arrangers”
A special opportunity for visitors to meet and engage with selected floral professionals who created
the arrangements in the galleries. Free with admission.
For more information visit thewadsworth.org/flowers.
WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM OF ART | 600 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD CT 06103 THEWADSWORTH.ORG Wednesday, May 6, 6 p.m.
Contemporary Art Series, “Hank Willis Thomas: History Doesn’t Laugh”
One of the most provocative and innovative conceptual artists of today, Hank Willis Thomas discusses
the impact of photography on his work and explores how the concepts of spectacle and display connect
to notions of African American identity and commodification. Arrive early between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to
view the reinstalled Contemporary art galleries and attend a pre-lecture reception. Free and open to the
public.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/artist-talk-hank-willis-thomas-history-doesnt-laugh/
Thursday, May 7, noon
Gallery Talk, “Coney Island: A Photographic History”
From Walker Evans to Weegee to Harvey Stein, curator Erin Monroe discusses how the photographic
views of “America’s Playground” have changed over time using examples from the special exhibition
“Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland.” Free with admission; meet by the Museum Shop.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/gallery-talk-erin-monroe-coney-island-a-photographic-history/
Thursday, May 7, 5 – 9 p.m.
First Thursday Block Party, “Dreamland”
This after-hours event features live music, tours of “Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland,”
performances by the Coney Island Circus Sideshow – straight from Coney Island USA, boardwalk
snacks and more. Film at 8 pm, “Water for Elephants.” Presented with Yelp Hartford and Kinetic
Dreams. $5; free for members. Visit the museum the first Thursday of every month for extended
exhibition hours, music, cocktails, food, art activities, a film and more.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/first-thursday-block-party-dreamland/?instance_id=17708
Friday, May 8, 6 – 9 p.m.
Teen Night & Open Mic
High school students are invited to the museum for an after hours event featuring complimentary food,
art making activities, games, as well as performances by teen musicians, poets, actors and more. Those
interested in performing must pre-register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JHMRCVZ. Free for all
high school students with valid ID.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/teen-night-open-mic-2/
Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Second Saturdays for Families, “A Coney Island Carnival”
This free family program is presented in conjunction with the museum’s “Coney Island” exhibition.
Visitors are invited to meet magicians, fortune-tellers, glass-eaters and muscle men, and to make their
own banners to take home with Coney Island’s artist-in-residence Marie Roberts. Additional
performances will take place at the Hartford Public Library, where visitors may pick up a free children’s
book. Presented with the Hartford Public Library. Each Second Saturdays program is free and includes
hands-on art projects, tours for families, live music, and engaging fun through film, theater and dance.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/second-saturdays-a-coney-island-carnival/
Sunday, May 10, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Jazz Brunch, “Brad Rickert Trio with Theresa Wright”
$35; $25 members. Purchase tickets online or call (860) 838-4076, Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. Tickets include museum admission, a buffet brunch, live jazz and a complimentary bloody
mary or mimosa.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/jazz-brunch-brad-rickert-trio-theresa-wright/?instance_id=15948
WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM OF ART | 600 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD CT 06103 THEWADSWORTH.ORG Friday, May 15, 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, 8 p.m.
Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Men on Broadway 2”
Back for its third season, the Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus joyfully sings a review of Broadway melodies.
For tickets and more info visit hartfordgaymenschorus.org.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/hartford-gay-mens-chorus-presents-men-on-broadway2/?instance_id=17706
Sunday, May 17, noon
Gallery Talk, “America’s Playground”
Robin Jaffee Frank, Chief Curator and Exhibition Curator of “Coney Island: Visions of an American
Dreamland,” discusses how America’s playground inspired an extraordinary array of artists for
generations. Free with admission; meet by the Museum Shop.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/gallery-talk-robin-jaffee-frank-americas-playground/?instance_id=17712
Sunday, May 17, 2 p.m.
Sunday Serenades, “Copland and Coney Island”
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra performs a chamber music concert in the galleries to offer a musical
counterpart to “Coney Island,” including Prokofiev’s “Overture on Hebrew Themes,” Copland’s “Two
Pieces” and Dohnanyi’s “Sextet,” Op. 37. Featuring Concertmaster Leonid Sigal. Purchase tickets online
or call (860) 987-5900.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/sunday-serenades-copland-coney-island/
Thursday, May 21, 6 p.m.
Talk and Book Signing, “Listening to Stone: The Art and Life of Isamu Noguchi”
Author Hayden Herrera discusses her book, “Listening to Stone: The Art and Life of Isamu Noguchi,”
an authoritative biography of one of the 20th century’s most important sculptors. Arrive early between 5
p.m. and 6 p.m. to view the American art galleries and attend a pre-lecture reception. Free and open to
the public.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/talk-book-signing-with-hayden-herrera/
Sunday, May 31, 3 p.m.
Hartford Opera Theater presents “An Embarrassing Position” and “The Old Maid and the Thief”
Hartford Opera Theater performs two American operas in the theater: “An Embarrassing Position” and
“The Old Maid and the Thief.” For tickets and more info call (860) 578-4393 or visit
hartfordoperatheater.com.
http://thewadsworth.org/event/hartford-opera-theater-an-embarrassing-position-the-old-maid-and-thethief/
TOURS
All tours are free with museum admission and meet at the Information Desk by the Museum Shop.
Highlights Tours
Wednesdays through Sundays, 1 p.m.
Special Theme Tour, “Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland”
Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM OF ART | 600 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD CT 06103 THEWADSWORTH.ORG CLOSING SOON!
Michael C. McMillen / MATRIX 171: SIDESHOW
Closes May 3, 2015
Los Angeles native Michael C. McMillen’s contemporary art companion piece to “Coney Island:
Visions of an American Dreamland,” uses moving shadows, light, and wall projections to create an
atmospheric setting for a collection of unusual curiosities and mysterious artifacts.
http://thewadsworth.org/matrix171/
Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland, 1861 – 2008
Closes May 31, 2015
Explore the magnetic lure that Coney Island exerted on an extraordinary array of artists, whose tableaux
of wonder and menace, hope and despair, dreams and nightmares, became metaphors for the collective
soul of a nation.
http://thewadsworth.org/coneyisland/
ON VIEW
Post-War & Contemporary Art
Permanent Installation
The museum’s exquisitely restored Hilles and Huntington galleries feature never-before exhibited works
along with steadfast favorites in the first complete reinstallation of the Contemporary Art collection in
nearly 20 years.
http://thewadsworth.org/contemporary2015/
MATRIX @ 40: Collection Connections
The first of three installations in 2015 celebrating the 40th anniversary of the museum’s groundbreaking
MATRIX exhibition series.
The Jason Tapestries
Through June 2015
Rarely seen 18th-century tapestries depicting the saga of Jason and his voyage with the Argonauts to
capture the Golden Fleece are on view in Morgan Great Hall. Once known as “Tapestry Hall,” Morgan
Great Hall’s expansive walls and soaring ceiling are a fitting setting for large woven panels. This will be
the final presentation in Morgan Great Hall before a major reinstallation of the European Art collection,
scheduled for unveiling Sept. 19, 2015.
http://thewadsworth.org/jasontapestries/
About the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Founded in 1842, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is the oldest public art museum in the
United States. The museum’s nearly 50,000 works of art span 5,000 years, from Greek and Roman
antiquities to the first museum collection of American contemporary art. The museum’s five connected
buildings—representing architectural styles from Gothic Revival to modern International Style—are
located at 600 Main Street in Hartford, Conn. Since 2010 the museum has been undergoing a major, $33
million renovation, slated to be complete 2015. Hours: Wed – Fri: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sat and Sun: 10 a.m.
– 5 p.m.; First Thursdays: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Admission: $5 – 10; discounts for members, students and
seniors. Phone: (860) 278-2670; website: http://thewadsworth.org.
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WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM OF ART | 600 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD CT 06103 THEWADSWORTH.ORG