Ida Eliza Hicks
The Clinton County Historical Society will be receiving a donation of a painting by Ida Eliza Hicks, the daughter of John Hicks of St. Johns. The title of the painting is “Michigan Trout, 1884” and the subject is three hanging fish.
This painting will be part of an exhibit of 36 paintings by Michigan artists, from 1880 to 1940, to be held at Riethmiller Blackman Art Building, Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan beginning on January 19th through February 14th.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, January 21st, 2-4 PM. Regular hours are 8-8 PM Monday through Friday.
Free admission.
The painting will be donated to the Museum after the close of the exhibit.
A Michigan Connection
Reithman Blackmiller Art Building – Kresge Art Gallery
Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan
January 19 – February 14, 2012
“A Michigan Connection,” brings together a small example of the work, talent and diversity on the art scene between 1880 and 1940 by artists associated with the state of Michigan. These works are presented, not for the effect that Michigan had on them, nor vice-versa, but merely for having been a part of Michigan life and history.
This exhibition, consisting of 35 artists, presents a number of works by some leading figures in the history of American art, such as Carl Hoerman, George Ames Aldrich, Alfred Juergens, Dana Bartlett, Mathias Alten and Robert Grafton. However, while many of the included artists were formerly well-known, their work today is frequently overlooked, but richly deserving of attention.
In the fall of 2010, the Reithmiller Blackman Art Building opened on the campus of Olivet College. Also in the fall of that year, a painting by an early student – Jessie Pixley Lacey, who attended the music conservatory in 1880-1882 before going on to a career in art – was donated to the Visual Arts Department. This donation triggered the idea for “A Michigan Connection;” furthermore, the Kresge Foundation Art Gallery was clearly an excellent venue to host the exhibition. Possessing a number of works by artists associated with the state of Michigan, I was delighted to share them. In addition, a number of museums, galleries and private individuals have also very graciously consented to participate in this endeavor: the result of their generosity is evident in the gallery. .
If you were to say that all these works lean toward a conservative audience, as the exhibition’s curator, I would agree. That is what fills the gallery and that is what I am drawn to as a collector of art. I have centered my experience around a quote from the American Art Review on the work of Edward Redfield that stated: “Redfield’s art…also found substantial support from ordinary people who wanted art to exude clarity and be rooted in authentic experience.” Could perhaps an artist’s success be measured by his ability to attract and hold a viewers attention across generations? Then the artists represented here would certainly be deemed “successful.”
This exhibit is dedicated to all Michigan artists, past and present, who have recorded and have been a part of its history.