Well, of course there were the holidays. Travel south to Hollie's folks in WV and then back north to my folks in NE Ohio. And then...there was the exhibition.
Back in the spring, I was extremely honored to be invited to curate an exhibition of Ohio decorative arts at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in Lancaster. It's a great little museum that hosts 2-3 exhibitions per year, some they sponsor, others they simply host. Opening next weekend will be Equal in Goodness: Ohio Decorative Arts 1788-1860. To my knowledge, it's the first comprehensive examination of Ohio's decorative arts ever. And the published catalog (thanks to a generous donation from the Johns family of Lancaster) will be the first major work on Ohio material culture in over two decades. The show runs through June 5 and the catalog will be available through the museum's gift shop beginning next weekend.
While I spent a good deal of time since April working on this show, the bulk of my December and January have been consumed by it. There are over 200 objects from over 50 lenders. There was tremendous amounts of research and writing, lots of time on the road transporting these objects from hither and yon to Lancaster. (Quick thanks and plug for my employer Garth's who gave me lots of freedom in my schedule and footed the bill for photography, design, and much more!) Let me put it this way...this weekend is the first free weekend I've had since there were green leaves on Ohio's trees!
So...my apologies for the lapse in communications, folks. But we're back and ready to resume our efforts to help create a flourishing antiques trade for another generation.
4 comments:
Super catalog ... one that will definitely supplement our antiques library. The layout and images are a delight for the eyes. There's nothing quite like turning those lush printed pages!
I do have a suggestion for a future column in conjunction with this exhibit. I would love to see a collector's bibliography -- the essential books that every Ohio collector's library should contain. While we own many of those listed in the catalog's printed bibliography, I know that we must be missing some undiscovered gems.
LOL, Welcome Back!
Yep, time flies when you are having fun. As usual, i have been getting beat like a drum at auction. First there was Ruth's box at Garths, then i moved on to a Crosland painted chest at Keno and finally this past week i was crushed in going after a pilgrim Savell chest at Julia's.
How come every thing i want, someone else wants more, ALOT MORE! Isn't there supposed to be a depression on in early american furniture?
Its good to see you back. In the mean time i was looking at some different sites which also give information regarding antique products.I found some really great sites.
Groundbreaking exhibition providing a rare, comprehensive look at Ohio's early decorative arts legacy, as well as an examination of how design was influenced by the cultural diversity of the state's early settlers.
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