New Year, New Delights at Your Local Museum of Fine Arts
The new year holds lots of excitement at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts, with new exhibitions, a new teen art exhibit, opportunities for new volunteers and much more!
Located at 6815 Cypresswood Drive in Spring, the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts is the only Fine Arts museum in Harris County outside the city center of Houston, offering direct, first-hand access to original works of art, as well as outstanding educational and public programming - all free of charge.
Spring Exhibitions
The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts is delighted to present two new exhibitions this spring, opening Saturday, January 27, 2024.
In the Rebecca Cole Gallery, the Pearl will present “Cobalt Dreams: Unveiling the Beauty of Flow Blue,” showcasing the collection of Vivian Kromer. This exhibition will be designed as if visitors are stepping into a welcoming home, surrounded by captivating porcelain and white earthenware.
The general time period of collectible flow blue spans from the 1820s to the 1920s. In the 1800s, with Chinese porcelain captivating hearts, English potters aspired to emulate its charm. Enter the innovation of a salt glaze on earthenware, casting a dazzling white spell upon firing. The process of transferware unfolded with the creation of historical plates—a meticulous dance involving copper plates, chemical glaze, and stencils applied to pristine white canvases such as bowls and plates.
Legend has it that the inception of “flow” blue china was a fortuitous accident—an abundance of chemical or glaze that caused the blue to bleed and blur onto the surrounding white canvas. With this unintentional stroke of brilliance, a craze was born, forever cementing Flow Blue as a distinctive chapter in the annals of porcelain craftsmanship.
In the Main Gallery, the Pearl will present “Post-Impressionist Exploration,” featuring art from an anonymous collector as well as five paintings that have been donated to the Pearl Fincher Museum by the estate of Louis E. Magne and the Martin family.
Post-Impressionism emerged in the 1880s, led by luminaries such as Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and Georges Seurat. This movement favored a more symbolic, formally structured approach as well as asserting the autonomy of color. Impressionism and Post-Impressionism both marked a profound departure from traditional artistic norms in late 19th-century France, challenging the very essence of artistic expression.
Pearlformance Concert
As part of its Pearlformance concert series, the Pearl is pleased to present “Opera Opsidedown” on Sunday, January 28 at 4 p.m.
The concert will feature songs by operatic comedienne Anna Russell, who affectionately satirized “classical” music with hilarious spoofs of opera and art song. Join pianist Roger Keele and singers Nathan Holmes (baritone), Jimmy Jacobson (tenor), Shannon Jacobson (soprano), and Rose Kearin for this delightful event.
Teen Art Exhibition
The Pearl Fincher Youth Art Council is accepting submissions for an exhibition of teen art: “Melting Pot: An Exploration of Houston Identity.” Teens throughout the Houston area are invited to submit work that shows what makes Houston, Houston. Artists may explore their heritage, illustrate the contemporary, or delve into history, but should ultimately capture their personal identity in their work.
2024 Pearls of Art Gala
Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Pearls of Art Gala, “The Art of Restoration: Healing in the Garden of Arts.”
The event will take place Saturday, April 6, 2024 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, and honors Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital.
Now in its 16th year, the Pearls of Art Gala includes a silent auction, live auction, dinner, and dancing. All proceeds benefit the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts.
New Year’s Resolution: Volunteer!
If your New Year’s Resolution is to get involved in the community, the Pearl needs you!
Volunteer docents are needed to provide guided tours for guests of all ages. Docents should have an interest in art and be available during the day. Training is provided for each new exhibition, and docents enjoy camaraderie and fun as they share their love of art with others.
Save the Date: February Family Day
The Pearl’s next Family Day is scheduled for Saturday, February 24 and will celebrate Black History Month. Activities include art projects inspired by Black artists, story time at 10:30 a.m., and a West African drumming performance by Joy of Djembe Drumming at 11 a.m. Family Days are free of charge but registration is requested at pearlmfa.org.
Spring Classes at the School of Art
Registration is underway for the second session of Spring classes at the Pearl Fincher Museum’s School of Art.
A variety of classes are available for children ages 6 to 15, including classes especially for homeschool students. Subjects include Anime & Manga Illustration, Mini Masters, Fashion Design & Illustration, Ceramics, Mixed Media, and The Art of Making: Sketchbooks.
Adults can get in on the fun as well, with classes in Watercolor Pets, Ceramics, The Art of Making: Sketchbooks, and Acrylic Cityscapes. Classes begin March 18 and continue through May 3.
For course descriptions or to register, visit pearlmfa.org/school-of-art or call the museum at 281-376-6322.
Source: PFMFA