Fenimore Art Museum - Through the Eyes of Others

Cooperstown, NY is not just for baseball! On exhibit at the Fenimore Art Museum is "Through the Eyes of Others: African Americans and Identity in American Art" from August 23 - December 31, 2008. Dr. Gretchen Sullivan Sorin curated.

This show, according to museum materials, "offers insights into the ways that Americans in the past viewed one another; how artistic representations of black people created and reinforced popular attitudes; and how these attitudes continue to affect us today. This is not simply a story for African Americans, but for all of us, because the issues represented in this exhibition—identity, self-portrayal, survival, resistance, and stereotyping—are issues that relate to each individual who has ever wondered about their own identity and to every group that has entered this country."

On a personal note - one of my quilts - Black Barbie - is included in this exhibit. It is the only quilt in the show. I have to admit I was FLOORED when I learned the other week who the other artists are in this mixed-media show are: William Sidney Mount, Thomas Cole, Romare Bearden, Betye Saar, Norman Rockwell, Elizabeth Catlett, and Jacob Lawrence, to name just a few. There is a 72 page catalog for this show. I'll post info on how to purchase it when its available. If you're in the Cooperstown area, do visit the show! Enjoy!