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Recent Acquisitions Releases Press Release Archive |
Tenth Annual Event for Region VII Teachers Tyler Museum of Art Hosts Art Educators Reception Tyler, TX—Tyler Museum of Art will host its tenth annual Art Educators Reception Thursday (October 19) from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Museum, 1300 S. Mahon, adjacent to the Tyler Junior College campus. The event is planned to honor more than 300 individuals involved in art education in Texas’ Region VII education area. Attendees to this year’s event will enjoy a special reception and docent-led tours of current exhibits in the Museum, including Encanto Mexicano: The Photography of George O. Jackson Jr. and Spirited Fusion: Akamatsu and Fenci. “We do this every year for several reasons,” said Bob Thompson, TMA’s head of education. “It is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for the dedication and hard work these educators put into their jobs, to increase their awareness of the educational programs and school tours we offer here at the Museum, and to get their input on how we can better meet their needs.” Thompson said all elementary, middle and high school art educators are invited to attend the event, which is sponsored by the Tyler Morning Telegraph. On their tours, educators will learn about the work of featured artists George O. Jackson Jr., Elizabeth Akamatsu and Piero Fenci. Jackson became fascinated by Mexican indigenous folk culture, particularly folk festivals and celebrations. The Texas native, who comes from both Hispanic and Anglo cultures, recognized the importance of documenting the ancient traditions and beautiful rituals of Mexico which he felt were rapidly being lost to modern civilization’s encroachment. For eleven years, from 1990 to 2001, Jackson worked on his Essence of Mexico Project, photographing the dance, costume, music, ceremony, folk art, ephemerea, architecture and people that make-up these diverse celebrations. The collection of photographs on exhibit in the Encanto Mexicano: The Photography of George O. Jackson Jr. exhibition is a visual legacy to the cultural life of more than 60 indigenous groups of Mexico at the turn of the 21st century. By comparison, the works of the Nacogdoches-based couple Elizabeth Akamatsu and Piero Fenci seem quite modern, yet still have strong Eastern cultural links. Fenci is a ceramic artist; Akamatsu, a metalsmith and sculptor. They share their life and a studio, as well as their contemporary approach to art. Fenci also teaches art at Stephen F. Austin State University. Both artists have shown nationally, and are recognized for their innovative approaches in varied media. “Their works have symbolic qualities that cause you to stop and contemplate the varied messages they seem to send,” Thompson noted. Spirited Fusion: Akamatsu and Fenci closes October 22; Encanto Mexicano closes November 5. For more information on TMA’s Art Educators Reception or on the exhibitions, contact the Museum at 903-595-1001. There is no admission charge for these exhibitions, or for Selections from the Frances Connally Morriss Doll Collection, also at the Tyler Museum of Art through October 29. |