Join the Collecting Conversations

Last updated Jul 26, 2016 12:0pm0

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Staff Report - For The Record

One family, three generations, timeless treasures…The Stark Museum of Art presents Collecting Conversations, a new exhibition, opening August 6, that invites the public to connect with the collection of the Stark and Lutcher family in unique and interesting ways.

Everyone collects something. People buy keepsakes to remind them of their travels. They keep treasures to pass down through their families. Some seek objects that can teach them about the world. Others collect items that are valuable, beautiful, rare, or quirky. Such "stuff" tells stories, sometimes about the objects, sometimes about the collector and often about both.

The Starks and the Lutchers of Orange, collected "stuff" just like other families, obtaining many types of objects for a variety of reasons. Although known for collecting fine art and rare books, they also collected objects that reflected who they were as people.

Collecting Conversations explores objects the family collected for beauty, history, knowledge and simply, self-expression. This exhibition encourages Museum guests to follow the collecting styles of three generations of one family and allow this experience to prompt them to think about what they collect and why they collect it. The public is invited to "join the conversation" and consider what stories their "stuff" tells.

Upon arriving at the Stark Museum of Art, guests will be met in the lobby by three beautifully restored automobiles: a 1922 Ford Model T Runabout Truck, and a 1911 Hupp Motor Car Company Roadster, Hupmobile, both used by the Stark family on their ranch in Colorado, as well as a 1950 Crosley Super Sport, owned by H.J. Lutcher Stark.

The exhibition includes items collected by Frances Ann Robinson Lutcher, (1841-1924) Miriam Melissa Lutcher Stark, (1859-1936) and by Henry Jacob Lutcher Stark (1887-1965). Included are a silver pitcher, a bronze sculpture, brilliant cut glass, china, pottery, Navajo weavings, jewelry, paintings, and rare books.

A closer look reveals insight into H.J. Lutcher Stark's collecting methods through a group of Hennings paintings, and Miriam's interest in lace, as well as brilliant cut glass by T.G. Hawkes and Pairpoint Manufacturing.

Also on view are rare books of historic and intellectual importance by John Milton, Charlotte Bronte and John James Audubon. Guests may enjoy getting to know the "purse-onality" of the female family members with a look at their beautiful and decorative purses and all are likely to appreciate the display of 134 fun and quirky blown eggs, decorated to resemble famous historical figures!

The exhibition also features two loaned books from the Miriam Lutcher Stark Library, Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin: A first edition King James Bible and Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.

Additionally, Collecting Conversations allows the public to get to know the Lutcher and Stark family in a new and personal way in a special hallway exhibition, Treasures & Trinkets: Collections from the Archive, featuring items that belonged to family members that have never been exhibited before. These items help tell stories about the history of the family, the community, and even the nation. Included are such objects as Lutcher Stark's notepads, a collection of his favorite number, "13" and gardening notes regarding Shangri La Gardens.

Also included are items from Lutch's Boys, Bengal Lancers, and the Bengal Guards, all student organizations founded by Mr. Stark. Family Bibles, travel souvenirs, postcards, automotive items, University of Texas memorabilia and memories of Miriam Stark's participation in the area Shakespeare Club fill the hallway cases. Lutcher's grandfather, John T. Stark carried a diary notebook as a Civil War soldier and this, along with his father's pistols, are featured in the hallway as well.

Stark Museum of Art offerings for the fall reflect the Collecting Conversations theme.

August 4 (6 - 8 pm)

Members' Only exhibition preview*

August 6 (9 am)

Collecting Conversations opens

August 6 (2 - 3 pm)

Collecting and Care: Disaster Recovery

Held at The W.H. Stark House, special guests from Heritage House

September 10 (1 - 5 pm)

Adult Studio Art Workshop: Watercolor Painting*

Get e-tickets at starkmuseum.org, special guest artist Shirley Marshall

$35/Adults; $25/Members

September 17 (9 am - 4 pm)

Favorite Things Family Day

FREE for all ages!

September 24 (9 am - 5 pm)

Smithsonian Museum Day Live!*

October 6 (3:30 - 6:30 pm)

Members' Exclusive Event: Out of the Box*

See the glass case lifted from Audubon's double elephant folio

The Birds of America & view incredible special pages

October 14 (10 - 11 am)

SMA Playdate: Icky, Sticky Glue*

October 15 (10:30 am - 12:30 pm)

CREATE! Workshop: If You Build It...*

October 22 (2 - 3 pm)

Collecting and Care: Cars

Held at Stark Museum of Art, special guests Darin Rosenblad & Fred Thompson

November 5 (9 am - 4 pm)

Autumn Fair - Shangri La Gardens

November 11 (9 am - 1 pm)

Teacher Workshop: Exhibit This!*

December 3 (1 - 5 pm)

Adult Studio Art Workshop:Paper Marbling*

Get e-tickets at starkmuseum.org, special guest artist Tony Vela

$35/Adults; $25/Members

*Advanced registration needed

For details or registration information one may contact 409.221.6685 or visit starkmuseum.org

Admission to the Stark Museum of Art is currently free until September 3, 2016, as part of a free summer admission program for Stark Museum of Art and Shangri La Gardens.