TERRE HAUTE —
Long an anchor of the Wabash Valley cultural scene, Swope Art Museum has once again achieved national recognition.
Officials announced Thursday afternoon that, for the fourth consecutive time since 1972, the Swope Art Museum has earned accreditation from the American Association of Museums. The AAM is the nation’s 106-year-old authority on museum excellence, and of America’s 17,500 institutions, it has accredited fewer than 800.
Executive director Marianne Richter remarked that the Swope is one of only 18 accredited museums in Indiana.
“Only 4.5 percent of the American museums have achieved accreditation and less than one-quarter of AAM-accredited museums have a track record of four,” she said. “The process is rigorous and took three years to complete.”
Board member Kathy Brentlinger described the Swope as an “anchor” of the community’s cultural endeavors, noting that translates to observable excellence.
“There are very few museums that have attained this honor four times,” she said.
Dominating much of South Seventh Street’s first block, the Swope’s 33,798 square feet contain about 3,000 objects at any given time, Richter said.
Open and free to the public, room after room of the building contain works of American art in mediums ranging from paint to sculpture. The work of Edward Hopper, Andy Warhol, Frederick MacMonnies and Anna Hyatt Huntington are among those on display.
Board member Rick Shagley said the accreditation goes to show that no matter a town’s size, achievement such as this is possible.
“We’re very excited, very honored to be accredited once again,” he said.
Other museums earning accreditation include the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Board member Mary Ann Carroll said community support was key to the local museum earning its honors. Accreditors interviewed residents about the Swope, and comments referring to it as an “anchor” and “foundation” were so strong that the decision seemed to have been made with ease, she said.
Richter said the accreditation is a continuation of the museum’s tradition of excellence, recounting its status on a “Top 10” list produced by USA Today in November 2010.
The coming year will be one full of activity at the Swope, as the museum prepares to enter its 70th season open to the public.
“2012 is a very big year for us,” Richter said, explaining March 12, 1942, was the first date it opened to the public.
Next October the museum will feature its original core collection, as well as the work of Rogers Cox, its first director.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
Arts
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Recognized: The Swope Art Museum has been re-accredited by the American Association of Museums. Here, executive director Marianne Richter, and board members Rick Shagley, Mary Ann Carroll and Kathy Brentlinger (unseen) talk about the recognition and plans for shows in the coming year.
-
Swope Art Gallery board of directors
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Archived: Jenna Lanman, Swope collections manager, talks with Swope board member Kathy Brentlinger in the archive room of the art museum. The painting by Gladys Rockman Davis, "Deborah", was part of the original exhibition and will be shown again in the Fall of 2012.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Accredited: The Swope Art Museum has been re-accredited by the American Association of Museums.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis On display: Marianne Richter, executive director of the Swope Art Museum, talks with board member Rick Shagley about one of Grant Woods' works. The work is one of the original artworks of the museum.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Planning: Kathy Brentlinger, board member with the Swope Art Museum, talks about the re-accreditation of the Swope and plans for shows in the coming year.
Discussion
Swope achieves coveted accreditation
Process took three years
- Arts
-
-
Art Gallery in Rockville announces summer art classes for kids, adults
The Gallery in Rockville will offer classes throughout the summer. A variety of topics will be covered, most lasting two to four days. All will be conducted in the renovated second floor, which offers plenty of room and great lighting.
-
Lincoln’s library honors Illinois fallen soldiers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is hosting an exhibit of drawings of fallen Illinois soldiers.
-
Scott Hinton’s photos take focus at Vigo Library
River City Art Association and the Vigo County Public Library are featuring photography by Scott Hinton throughout May in the library at Seventh and Poplar streets.
Hinton is a self-taught photographer and artist whose main focus is nature-inspired pictures and paintings. -
Halcyon Gallery featuring Terre Haute native Maraldo’s artwork
An exhibit titled “Words Flow Into Water” is scheduled to open at 7 p.m. Friday at the Halcyon Gallery, 25 S. Seventh St. The show continues through May 25.
-
Art guild’s annual spring show at mall May 3-5
The Wabash Valley Art Guild plans to host its 36th Annual Spring Show on Friday through Sunday at Honey Creek Mall.
-
Indiana Artisan works on display at Clabber Girl
Combining the strength of their individual artwork into exhibitions of exceptional depth, 29 Indiana Artisans have partnered on Indiana Artisan: Paintings and Drawings.
Ten Indiana Artisans have continued the statewide series as the Clabber Girl Gallery opened the exhibit on Tuesday. It will continue through May 30. -
Covered Bridge Gallery lists winners
The Covered Bridge Art Gallery celebrated its Spring Art Show and the grand opening of its renovated second floor on April 28 at 124 W. Ohio St. in Rockville.
-
Newly inspired artist earns Guild’s approval
Kathy M. Matlock, artist of the month for April by the Wabash Valley Art Guild, was born and raised in Sullivan, has lived various places, but has recently returned from Oregon.
-
Swope First Friday on May 3 to feature ISU group, student art, Hopper painting
At the Swope Art Museum’s next First Friday, on May 3, it plans to welcome members of the Indiana State University Community School of the Arts and say a brief farewell to a famous painting.
-
Awards handed out in Ehrmann Poetry Competition; Carter wins grand prize
An awards ceremony for the 2013 Max Ehrmann Poetry Competition was held on Friday at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, recognizing new poetry written by Wabash Valley residents.
-
Covered Bridge Art group spring show coincides with open house for renovation
The Covered Bridge Art Association’s 39th annual spring art show and the grand opening of the gallery’s newly renovated second floor are scheduled to be celebrated together at an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
-
Edgar students’ work on display at Bicentennial Art Center
The Bicentennial Art Center at Paris, Ill., is featuring the creative work of Edgar County junior and senior high students in the Annual Edgar County Student Art Show, open through Sunday, when a reception open to the public will begin at 1 p.m.
-
Sustainability Club forming fish from trash; 'Catch of the River' on display April 20-May 5
In partnership with the Saint Mary-of-the Woods College’s Sustainability Club, the Department of Text & Image is bringing awareness of what is thrown into the Wabash River, with an art installation on campus from April 20 until May 5.
-
Exhibit opens April 20 for River City Art Association
River City Art Association members are scheduled to exhibit their work Saturday through May 11 in Gaslight Art Colony’s gallery at 516 Archer Ave., in Marshall, Ill. An artists’ reception is set for 6 to 9 p.m. CDT Saturday.
-
Valley artists taking part in ‘First Brush of Spring’ at New Harmony
Julia London-Meddles of Terre Haute and Wyatt LeGrand of Bloomfield are scheduled to join about 200 artists at the 15th annual “First Brush of Spring,” a popular Plein Air (outdoor) Paint Out event scheduled today through Saturday in New Harmony.
-
The arts kick off Disability Awareness Month
Roxanna Robertson did signing to the song “How Great Thou Art,” while Linda Allis did a dramatic reading, using excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
-
Through His Lens: Artist showcases beauty of America’s southwest at Rose-Hulman exhibition
Terre Haute native Darrell Staggs never thought of himself as an artist, but always liked the idea of photography.
-
Clabber Girl to host woodworking demonstration
Artist Debbie Anderson will provide a woodworking demonstration to an adult art education class on Feb. 26 in the Clabber Girl Museum in Terre Haute. Anderson has had her intarsia woodwork on display throughout February at The Gallery in the museum at Ninth Street and Wabash Avenue.
-
Arts Illiana offers free workshop on grant writing
Arts Illiana will offer the following technical assistance workshop to regional arts organizations and arts providers.
The free workshop, Crafting Your Grant Narrative, is scheduled 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in Arts Illiana at 23 N. Sixth St. -
Sisters of Providence artist to exhibit work
Sister Jody O'Neil, artist in residence for the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, will have some of her artistic creations on display and available for purchase during art shows Nov. 11 and 16.
-
River City Art Association honors the late Marty Martinez in November
The River City Art Association and the Vigo County Public Library will feature art by the late Association co-founder Marty Martinez for the month of November in the library at Seventh and Poplar streets.
-
Terre Haute to announce City Arts Project Grants
The City of Terre Haute and Arts Illiana will announce the 2012-2013 City Arts Project Grant Awards during a ceremony at 10 a.m. today. Mayor Duke Bennett will present checks to nine nonprofit organizations at Arts Illiana.
-
New Harmony artist, former TH resident to exhibit work at Clabber Girl
New Harmony artist Mary Ann Michna will present an exhibition of her recent photographs Nov. 2-30 at Clabber Girl Museum Art Gallery.
-
Wabash Valley artists participate in Indiana Wildlife Artist Association show
Each year the Indiana Wildlife Artist Association presents a show of Fine Nature Art in various locations across the state featuring many of the state’s premier artists vying for awards. The showing will be displayed to the public through Friday at the Visitors Center at Angel Mounds State Historic Site in Evansville.
-
River City Art Association announces winners of annual show
The theme of the Fourth Annual Art Show of the River City Art Association Inc. was “Scouting for Art.” The event was Aug. 11 at the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana building at Fairbanks Park.
-
Swope honors noted local artist, educator, first board president
Continuing the yearlong celebration of the museum’s 70th anniversary, the Swope Art Museum presents “The Art of William T. Turman,” an exhibition of the work of the noted local artist, educator and first president of the Swope’s board of managers.
-
River City to showcase photographer’s work in September
The Vigo County Public Library and the River City Art Association will show the photographic art of Rob Robbins for the month of September.
-
‘Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries’ national exhibit arrives at Indiana State
Many histories have been written about medical care during the American Civil War, but the participation and contributions of African Americans as nurses, surgeons and hospital workers has often been overlooked.
-
Art Guild features photographer in August
The Wabash Valley Art Guild is featuring the August Artist of the Month, Jean Kristeller, whose works of photography are on display at the Vigo Country Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets.
-
Arts, live music festivals on tap Labor Day weekend in Bloomington
Labor Day weekend in Bloomington will be filled with special events. Major events include an art festival, a live music festival and an Indiana University football game.
- More Arts Headlines
-
Art Gallery in Rockville announces summer art classes for kids, adults
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
