The Margaret Harwell Art Museum is kicking off 2024 with an exhibit of “big, bold” wearable art by Allison Norfleet Bruenger, and is joining the solar festivities with Total Eclipse of the Arts in April.
An opening reception for Allison Norfleet Bruenger is from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, and the show runs through February for Black History Month.
“We like to start the Black History artists out in January in case February is all snowed and iced over,” noted Director Steve Whitworth.
Bruenger is a juried member of the Best of Missouri Hands, a statewide artists association, whose work Whitworth described as “big, bold expressions of the wearer and expressions of the creator, too.”
“It’s wearable art, jewelry. Instead of just the conventional fashion jewelry like I sell as well at Gift Chest Jewelers, manufactured to... conform to a particular style, restricted by the cost of gold and diamonds and precious stones, she can create things that accent your clothing and your whole body, bring your whole body into the work of art,” he said.
He was also excited to announce that MHAM will combine the annual Plein Air and Family Fun Festival with the Total Eclipse of the Bluff celebration to create Total Eclipse of the Arts in April. The art contest will welcome space- or sci-fi-themed artwork, including depictions of area landmarks under a solar eclipse. Unlike the Plein Air category, artwork made beforehand is eligible for the Eclipse category.
“You will have to use your imagination. You can place one of our landmarks on another planet, have a spaceship landing it at our airport, or you can just show the eclipse over any of our recognizable attractions. Any space-themed subject is eligible for the Eclipse prizes,” Whitworth explained.
The Plein Air and Eclipse categories each carry $100-300 prizes. The contest is sponsored by Southern Bank.
More information and submission guidelines will be made available on MHAM’s website and Facebook page in the coming weeks.
The museum’s current lineup of 2024 shows is:
• Jan. 6-Feb. 25, Allison Norfleet Bruenger exhibit. Opening reception is 6-8 p.m. Jan. 13.
• 1-4 p.m. March 3, K-8th Grade Art Exhibit opening reception.
• 6-8 p.m. April 4, Plein Air Festival opening reception catered by the United Gospel Rescue Mission.
• 2 p.m. April 7, deadline for plein air submissions. All work will be displayed during the eclipse celebration on the museum grounds.
• April 7-28, 24th Annual Juried High School Art Exhibit opening reception. The opening reception and award ceremony is 1-4 p.m. April 14. The show ends April 28.
• April 8, the museum offers free space for the public to sit and enjoy the total solar eclipse.
• April 30-May 2, 4-H Animal Art exhibit. Ice cream social and art pick-up are 6-8 p.m. May 2.
• May 7-June 30, exhibition for Christine Ilewski, painter and fiber artist. The opening reception is on May 18.
• July 5-26, AWA Art For Animals charity auction. The opening reception is 6 p.m. July 5. Closing reception is 6-8 p.m. July 26.
• Aug. 3-Sept. 1, 31st Annual Pictures by the People opening reception. Opening reception is 6-8 p.m. Aug. 3.
• Sept. 12-Oct. 27, Tim Breaux Fine Art exhibit. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Sept. 21.
• 6 p.m. Oct. 5, FORK & CORK annual fundraiser.
• Nov. 3-Dec. 29, 71st Annual Poplar Bluff Artists Guild Regional Juried Art Exhibit. Opening reception is 1-4 p.m. Nov. 3, awards at 2 p.m. Closing reception 1-4 p.m. Dec. 29, People’s Choice award at 3 p.m.
More information about MHAM, open hours and upcoming events are available at mham.org.
This article was updated to reflect the new date of the Juried High School Art Exhibit opening reception.