Recently, my kids and I were able to visit the Hickory Museum of Art's exhibit, A GRAND VISION: Elliot Daingerfield Paints the Grand Canyon and Grandfather Mountain. The museum has created a fantastic exhibit and has taken great strides to make the experience family-friendly. The kids each had parts of the exhibit they enjoyed for different reasons. For my daughter, the artist's work was interesting, and she was impressed by one of Daingerfield's first pieces, which he created at age 12. For my five-year-old son, the train, which is a miniature replica of the one Daingerfield took to the Rim of the Grand Canyon, was the highlight. Throughout the exhibit, there are leading questions and extra information that help even a novice art enthusiast, like myself, find the works accessible. Young artists can try their hand at sketching the "Grand Canyon," with a panoramic image on display. There are also kid-friendly touches, like a train table, an artists' nook, and, of course, the train display.
The following is a description of the exhibit and artists from the Hickory Museum of Art:
Elliott Daingerfield was born in Harper's Ferry VA (now WVA). In 1886, then 25 years old and already an established New York City painter, Daingerfield traveled to Blowing Rock with his wife to recuperate from diphtheria. It was the beginning of his long devotion to Blowing Rock where he maintained summer homes with his family for the rest of his life. Simultaneously, he continued his successful artistic career in New York City and, after 1910, in the Southwest and in California. In particular, Grandfather Mountain and the Grand Canyon would emerge as recurring subjects that brought both inspiration and fame throughout Daingerfield’s artistic career. He is considered one of North Carolina's most prolific artists.
Hickory Museum of Art’s exhibit will be the first to bring together Daingerfield’s magnificent portrayals of these two geographical monuments. A GRAND VISION includes masterworks on loan from the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, GA, The Johnson Collection in Spartanburg, SC, Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, as well as many more works and artifacts from private collections and the artist’s family. All were chosen to create a first-of-its-kind story about Daingerfield’s creative process, life, and relationship to the two beloved landmarks. HMA Executive Director Jon Carfagno described the exhibition, “Designed to engage audiences of all ages, the show will feature breathtaking and art historically significant masterworks, as well as many features that are perfect for children. From a working model train that follows the route Elliott Daingerfield took from Chicago’s Dearborn Station to the south Rim of the Grand Canyon, to a special galley guide brochure filled with activities for kids, the galleries will be filled with opportunities to learn about creativity through a great story.”
Additionally, the permanent folk art exhibit also provides many interesting pieces for kids to enjoy and includes a kid-friendly guide. A GRAND VISION: Elliot Daingerfield Paints the Grand Canyon and Grandfather Mountain is at the Hickory Museum of Art through April 20, 2019. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday: 10 AM-4 PM, Sunday: 1-4 PM, and is closed Mondays and holidays. General admission to Hickory Museum of Art is free and is located on the SALT Block, 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601.
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