Current Exhibits

The Most Famous People in the World: Karsh 100

March 12 through June 27

Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, this exhibition presents iconic portraits of many of the 20th-century’s most famous people taken by world-renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002). Karsh was known internationally for his ability to capture the true humanity of an individual in his work. This exhibit was organized to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Karsh’s birth. Included in it are many of the best known portraits of the era’s most illustrious faces displayed alongside rarely seen earlier photographs that reveal how Karsh learned his craft. Represented are luminaries in the fields of art, music, science, theater, politics, and film, including Ernest Hemingway, Audrey Hepburn, Pablo Picasso, Mother Teresa, Jacqueline Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II, Andy Warhol, and many others. The Speed Art Museum, Louisville. 502/634-2700, www.speedmuseum.org.

History Unearthed: Archaeology Speaks

Through June 6

Is Indiana Jones real? What is modern archaeology like? What can I find in my own backyard, and is that considered archaeology? Have you ever asked yourself these questions or others like them? Interested in exploring history by “getting dirty”? This exhibit explores the world of archaeology through photography, actual dig-site information and hands-on activities including an actual staged indoor “dig” that is sure to excite and interest anyone who has a fascination with discovering artifacts. Catering to all age levels, there will be an archaeology scavenger hunt and puzzle game to keep even the youngest visitors engaged and entertained while learning. The exhibit will explore the archaeological work conducted by the museum, including digs by the museum’s first curator Ellis Crawford. It will also illustrate the importance of historic preservation while articulating the field’s best practices and techniques. Artifacts from the museum’s collection that have not been on exhibit in recent years will be on display for visitors to “discover” again. The exhibit will also feature various forms of archaeology and ideas of how you can be an archaeologist in your own backyard- without digging up the flower garden. Behringer-Crawford Museum, Covington. 859/491.4003, www.bcmuseum.org.

"Made to be Played" in Danville

March 10 through April 28

The "Made to be Played" traveling exhibit will be displayed at the Boyle County Public Library in Danville, where it will remain on display. The exhibit, which features works by Kentucky instrument makers, is a project of KAC and KHS, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces program. Boyle County Public Library, Danville. 859/236-8466 www.boylepublib.org.

Outta Sight! The Inner Vision of Two Blind Guys Recent Works by C.J. Pressma and Keith Kleespies

March 12 through April 24

This exhibit presents the work of Louisville artists C.J. Pressma and Keith Kleespies. Both are professional artists who have experienced vision impairment in recent years. They have both lost sight in one eye and are losing sight in the other. Their light-hearted exhibit title illustrates the attitude and approach they have brought to their vision loss. C.J. Pressma's series of artworks are made up of multiple images that are broken and then collaged together into one visual whole. Emotion and meaning for the viewer is central to Keith Kleespies’ art. A vein of humor runs through his imagery and subject matter, but it often encounters isolation and, at times, tragedy. For an artist who is grounded in drawing, Kleespies has found ways to use technology, such as photography, to continue and add to his work as his vision changes. Carnegie Center for Art and History, New Albany, Indiana. 812/944-7336 or www.carnegiecenter.org.

Sarah Hoskins Photography Exhibition

March 6 through April 11

Photographer Sarah Hoskins has documented the people and places in historic African-American villages in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Many of the settlements were founded by freed slaves in the decade after the Civil War and are now inhabited by the fifth generation of those families.
The Art Museum at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, 859/257-5717, www.uky.edu/ArtMuseum.

The New English Art Club

Through April 11

This stunning exhibition presents a group of contemporary British artists who retain a fierce dedication to traditional, figurative painting, something very unusual in today’s art world. Portraits, interior scenes, and landscapes created with bravura brushwork and rich, sumptuous colors by such artists as Tom Coates, Jane Corsellis, Ken Howard, Sir Thomas Munnings, John Ward, and Peter Worth are featured, along with several examples of historical work. The New English Art Club, little known in this country, was originally established over 120 years ago by John Singer Sargent and others who were influenced by radical ideas coming out of France—notably Naturalism and Impressionism. Rejected by the Royal Academy, these artists staged the most daring exhibitions of the late nineteenth century. The Club continues to be a vital part of the British art scene today. The Art Museum at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, 859/257-5717, www.uky.edu/ArtMuseum.

POST IT! Turn-of-the-Century Magazine Posters from the Collection

Through April 4

Between 1890 and 1900, Europe and America became enthralled with a new form of promotion: the illustrated advertising poster. These large, colorful prints replaced the boring, black-and-white broadsides and turned drab shop windows and streets in London, Paris, and New York into veritable art galleries. Because of the posters’ success, some of the most talented artists of the time- most notably Toulouse-Lautrec in Europe and Edward Penfield in the U.S.- were hired to design them. Mirroring the cutting-edge art styles of the day and influenced by the clean, simple lines of Japanese woodblock prints, these artists created iconic images that still influence designers today. Many of these bold changes in publishing were made possible by the advancement of printing equipment and methods. Streamlined commercial printing presses and processes were perfected during this time, and companies could easily turn out tens of thousands of issues monthly. The remarkable art posters of the late 1800s, however, continue to be prized and collected. The Art Museum at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, 859/257-5717, www.uky.edu/ArtMuseum.

The Cutting Edge: Sculptures Carved by North American Gem Artists

Through March 31

This new exhibition features more than 100 pieces by contemporary lapidary artists, ranging from small stand-alone sculptures to beautiful sculpted jewelry. The pieces represent a wide range of stone cutting techniques. Headley-Whitney Museum, Lexington. 859/255-6653, www.headley-whitney.org.

Hattie Bishop Speed: A New Museum for Louisville

Through March 14

This exhibition of vintage photographs documenting the construction of architect Arthur Loomis’ building vividly captures Hattie Bishop Speed’s vision for the new art museum. Classic in its use of traditional materials, yet modern in its incorporation of cutting-edge technology, the creation of the Speed Art Museum was a major event in the history of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it opened in 1927. As the museum’s prepares for a major expansion and renovation project, this exhibition celebrates Hattie Bishop Speed’s vision for the museum and the many visitors who enjoy it each year. The Speed Art Museum, Louisville. 502/634-2700, www.speedmuseum.org.

Carnegie Center Presents 7th Annual “Form, Not Function: Quilt Art at the Carnegie” Exhibit

Through March 6

This annual, juried exhibition explores the world of contemporary art quilts. A new take on an old technique, art quilts are created strictly for their aesthetic appeal rather than functional use. For a work of art to be considered for the exhibit, it must be quilted, which is defined as “two or more layers held together with stitches.” This leaves room for the artists to fully exercise their creativity. They often incorporate many techniques and mediums, such as piecing, appliqué, painting, digital printing and silkscreen. Over the seven years that this exhibit has been held, it has served to broaden the concept of art quilts and gain recognition for this evolving art form. Carnegie Center for Art and History, New Albany, Indiana. 812/944-7336 or www.carnegiecenter.org.