For America: 200 Years of Painting from the National Academy of Design
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About
For America features over ninety works made between 1810 and 2010 by some of the greatest American artists, drawn from the collections of the National Academy of Design in New York. From its founding in 1825 to the present, the National Academy has required all Academicians elected to donate a representative work to the Academy’s collection. From 1839 to 1994, the Academy also required Associates to present a portrait of themselves, whether painted by their own hand or that of a fellow artist. This has resulted in a collection of over 8,000 works by historical and contemporary masters such as Winslow Homer, William Merritt Chase, John Singer Sargent, Andrew Wyeth, Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith, Charles White, Jane Freilicher, and many others. Exhibition co-curator Jeremiah William McCarthy, Curator at the National Academy of Design, says: “This exhibition presents the way artists see the world alongside the way they see themselves inhabiting that world. It’s an unprecedented look at the history of American painting written by its makers.”
For America offers many opportunities for community collaborations with other Quad City cultural organizations for musical, literary and historical programs, and will provide a new perspective on the American works in the City of Davenport and Figge collections. This will be the second exhibition made possible by the museum’s Major Exhibitions Endowment. For America: 200 Years of Painting from the National Academy of Design will tour to eight venues across the United States including the Figge, bringing important paintings to audiences across the country while also enriching the dialogue of scholars, students and artists of all ages with the firsthand experience of American masterpieces. For America: 200 Years of Painting from the National Academy of Design is organized by the American Federation of Arts and the National Academy of Design, New York. Support for the national tour is provided by the JFM Foundation, Monique Schoen Warshaw, and Steph & Jody La Nasa.
Virtual tour developed by IKD
Our Sponsors
SUPPORTING SPONSORS: Estes Construction | Harris Family Charitable Gift Fund | US Bank
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS: Alan and Julie Renken | Mark and Rita Bawden | BITCO Insurance Companies
Companion Events
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Thursday, March 4VirtualDr. Ranelle Knight-Lueth shares her research on one of the influential, albeit mostly unknown, women in American art history - Leila Mechlin. Mechlin was an early and prominent member of the American Federation of Arts (AFA). -
Monday, March 8Figge Art MuseumMembers and non-members are invited to join the Figge's curatorial team as they discuss the planning and installation of a major traveling exhibition. Have your questions ready for a Q&A after they present. Free for members and $5 for non-members.
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Thursday, March 11VirtualTHIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED
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Thursday, March 11VirtualFigge Assistant Curator Vanessa Sage will examine artists whose acts of self-determination changed the course of art. Registrants will receive a Zoom link two hours prior to the program.
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Saturday, March 13VirtualJoin us for our March Free Family Day featuring an introduction to For America. Your free registration grants your family 2-weeks of access to a virtual line-up, which means you can choose your day to play!
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Saturday, March 13VirtualJoin mixologist, Shale Sage, for a craft cocktail crash course. These cocktails, the Bees Knees and Southside, are inspired by the 1920s American experience and sure to give you a rip-roaring time!
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Thursday, March 18VirtualJoin Michelle Hargrave, the Figge's executive director and CEO, and Mark Russell Smith, music director and conductor for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, during this exciting conversation that explores art and music.
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Friday, March 19Figge Art MuseumEnjoy a socially distanced and semi-private evening at the museum to view For America. Individual charcuterie plates from the Figge Cafe and wine are included with registration. Guides will be available in the exhibition for questions and assistance.
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Sunday, March 21VirtualJoin Chef Stu of the Figge Café for this fun flavor explosion to begin a three course cooking series. Learn how to make Pepper Painted Poultry with splashes of tri colored pepper sauce.
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Thursday, March 25VirtualAmong the treasures of the National Academy of Design is Ferdinand Thomas Lee Boyle's portrait of Eliza Greatorex, painted upon her election to the Academy in 1869. Join Katherine Manthorne for this fascinating lecture.
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Saturday, April 10VirtualJoin us for our April Free Family Day featuring For America - the people. Your free registration grants your family 2-weeks of access to a virtual line-up, which means you can choose your day to play!
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Saturday, May 8VirtualJoin us for this family-flexible virtual enrichment experience. Your free online registration grants your family two weeks of access to a virtual line-up related to artist Robert Blackburn, which means you can choose your day to play!
Sunday April 14th