Exhibition at Miller Art Museum Focuses on the Art Student

“Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art: The Making of an Artist” opened on Saturday, March 1, at the Miller Art Museum. The Miller, in collaboration with the Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art, explores the philosophy and process of art study in an atelier, or art studio setting. One large section of the exhibition is an actual student work station that re-creates the work space of an academy student.

The exhibit, which continues through April 15, aims to answer some of the questions surrounding this style of learning. For instance, what are the learning and teaching techniques used to train an artist in this setting, and how is that different from other fine art training? Or, who chooses to study in an art atelier and what does their work look like? And, how does the Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art relate to 19th century ateliers and to the growing number of other ateliers established in recent years? The exhibit focuses on all of these issues as it explores the 12 learning stations each student works through, the importance of working with a live model and with plaster casts. It also includes the study of sculpture that has recently been added to the academy’s curriculum.

Two exhibit related Museum Talks, open to the public at $5 each, will be held on Thursday, March 13 and Thursday, April 10. The first presentation features Dick and Norma Bell, Founders of the Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art, who will share the history and development of this fine academy at the Barnsite Art Studio in Kewaunee, WI. The second presentation will feature Artistic Director Craig Blietz and Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art students who will talk about their experience. Both Museum Talks will begin at 10:30 am; however, on both mornings the museum opens at 10 am for coffee and an opportunity to view the exhibit.

The Miller Art Museum is located within the Door County Library at 107 S. 4th Ave., Sturgeon Bay. Museum hours are Monday 10 am – 8 pm and Tuesday through Saturday 10 am – 5 pm. Admission is free; the museum is fully accessible. This exhibit is sponsored by DC Printing, LLC, Martha Cherry Fund of the Door County Community Foundation, County of Door/City of Sturgeon Bay, Sustaining Members & Volunteers of the Miller Art Museum.

For more information about the Miller Art Museum visit http://www.millerartmuseum.org or call 920.746.0707.