Muskegon Museum of Art showing a lot of glass
MUSKEGON — There will be two celebrations at the Muskegon Museum of Art at the Feb. 17 opening reception of “Primal Inspirations: Contemporary Artifacts,” which showcases 24 pieces of contemporary glass art.
"Danza" is part of the new "PrimalInspirations" art glass exhibit.<!-- IE6 HACK --><!-- IE6 HACK -->
The first celebration will be the show itself, representing 12 artists whose work has been influenced by ancient cultures, on the museum’s second floor.
The exhibition was organized by Habatat Galleries in Royal Oak which E. Jane Connell, the museum’s senior curator, calls “a prime venue for international glass artists, established and new.”
“This is a wonderful, wonderful gallery,” she says. “Amazing.”
The second celebration on the same day will be no less amazing.
At 5:30 p.m., the museum will unveil a new gallery — the Robert D. and C. Corcoran Tuttle Gallery —on the first floor. Judith Hayner, the museum’s executive director, calls the new space “a gem.”
“This was our first opportunity to expand our space in years,” she says. “This gives us the chance to expand our impact.”
The renovation was underwritten in memory of the Tuttles, both of whom were dedicated benefactors of the museum, by their children — Thomas Tuttle, Julie Tuttle Gunderson and John Knott Tuttle.
The gift honors the C. Corcoran “Corky” Tuttle’s “passion for contemporary art, particularly studio glass,” Hayner says.
“This new gallery is very contemporary,” Hayner says. “It will stand out on its own.”
The Tuttle Gallery will be devoted to displays of contemporary studio glass from the museum’s collection, as well as contemporary art in other media.
The unveiling of the Tuttle Gallery coincides with the museum’s traditional spring show of studio glass.
“Primal Inspirations” comes from Habatat Galleries, which was established in 1971 in Royal Oak . It is the oldest and largest gallery in the United States devoted exclusively to artists working with glass as their medium.
All of the artists in “Primal Inspirations” are noted for their interest in primitive art. All have been influenced by the formal, visual and spiritual qualities of ancient and tribal artifacts, Connell says. The artists include William Morris, José Chardiet, Rick Beck, Davide Salvadore, Deanna Clayton and Preston Singletary.
Ferdinand Hampson, who founded Habatat Galleries, will speak at 7 p.m. during the opening reception. He has worked with glass artists for 40 years and is the author of several publications about contemporary glass art.
The renovation to create the Tuttle Gallery was underwritten with funding from the Corky
"Lurid Gasp" by Stephen Powell was a Tuttle donation and will be on display in the new gallery.<!-- IE6 HACK --><!-- IE6 HACK -->Tuttle Fund for the Muskegon Museum of Art through a gift from the Robert D. and C. Corcoran Tuttle Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
Susan Harrison-Wolffis is a Chronicle correspondent.
