RELATED PROGRAMS

ON THE WEB

Online Conversations: Talking About Quilts

Members of the public are invited to submit a digital photograph of a quilt they’ve created or possess and share its story. Those who don’t have a quilt are encouraged to join the online discussions about this personal and communal art form, or else to learn more about the Gee’s Bend exhibition. Visit www.philamuseum.org.

ART AFTER 5

Jason Moran
Friday, December 12, 5:45-8:45 p.m.
Great Stair Hall
Free after Museum admission

Jason Moran, a jazz artist known for his innovative and provocative compositions, premieres his new composition inspired by the Gee’s Bend exhibition. Moran fuses jazz traditions with hip-hop, pop and multimedia technologies. He regularly finds inspiration in the visual arts. His awards and recognitions include Pianist of the Year (2005, Jazz Journalists Association), United States Artists Fellow (2007), Rising Star Jazz Artist, Rising Star Composer and Rising Star Acoustic Piano Awards (2003-05, Down Beat Critics Poll). Moran will perform with his regular group, The Bandwagon, as well as special guest Grammy award-winning jazz guitarist Bill Frisell.

FILM

Amistad (1997)

Screening and talk with John C. Van Horn, Director of the Library Company of Philadelphia
Saturday, Nov. 8, 1 p.m.
Van Pelt Auditorium
$2 after Museum admission (free for members)


Screening only
Sunday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m.
Van Pelt Auditorium
Free after Museum admission

This Steven Spielberg film starring Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins explores the 1839 mutiny aboard a slave ship in the Caribbean, and the U.S. District Court case to decide the fate of the slaves.

PERFORMANCES

The Sacred Sounds of Philadelphia: Philadelphia Choirs Sing the Sacred Songs of Gee’s Bend

The Museum present these Sunday afternoon concerts of inspirational and gospel music that complements the Gee’s Bend special exhibition.

St. Thomas Gospel Choir of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas
Sunday, Nov. 2, 3 p.m.
Free after Museum admission

The Bright Hope Baptist Church Celestial Choir
Sunday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m.
Free after Museum admission


SYMPOSIUM

Alternative American Art Worlds

Saturday, November 15, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (registration begins at 9:30 a.m.)
Van Pelt Auditorium
$50 ($40 for members, $25 for students) includes a box lunch

An exploration of the issues and themes that link artists James Castle and Thomas Chambers (also the subjects of special exhibitions this fall) with the quilters of Gee’s Bend. All of these self-taught artists existed in “alternate” art world, sometimes labeled as folk or vernacular.

WORKSHOP

Quilt Your Heart Out: The Art of Quilting

Sunday, September 28 or Sunday, Oct. 5, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Museum studios
$85 nonmembers ($68 members), scholarships available. Enrollment limited.

Philadelphia artists and quilters Emily Richardson and Christina Johnson lead this daylong workshop, which begins with a trip to the Gee’s Bend exhibition and includes demonstrations on design, texture, color and pattern. Learn various approaches to creating contemporary quilts while creating a small quilt of your own.

FAMILY PROGRAM

A Quilt Extravaganza!

Sunday, Nov. 9, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Free after Museum admission

Quilts will be created right before visitors’ eyes, as the spirited and energetic Freedom Choir of Philadelphia performs traditional gospel, folk and original songs. Visitors will also be inspired by drawing in the Museum’s galleries and make crafts on the balcony of the Great Stair Hall.

ART HISTORY COURSE

Gotta Make It!

Members $80, nonmembers $100
Thursdays: 4 sessions, Nov. 6, 13, 20 and Dec. 4, 9:30-10:30 a.m. or Saturdays: 2 sessions, Nov. 8 and Dec. 6, 9:30-11:45 a.m.

Presented to coincide with exhibitions on Thomas Chambers, James Castle and the quilters of Gee’s Bend, this course examines the issues raised by these three exhibitions, all of which highlight self-taught American artists who worked outside academic conventions.

PLEASE NOTE:

• To learn more or register for the Museum’s ADULT programs call (215) 235-SHOW (7469) or visit the museum website at www.philamuseum.org.
• To learn more about FAMILY & CHILDREN’S programs contact the Division of Education at (215) 684-7580 or educate@philamuseum.org.
• Members of the PRESS who would like additional information and assistance or would like to schedule interviews should contact the Marketing and Public Relations department at 215-684-7860 or pressroom@philamuseum.org.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the largest museums in the United States, with a collection of more than 227,000 works of art and more than 200 galleries presenting painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, decorative arts, textiles, and architectural settings from Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Its facilities include its landmark Main Building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Perelman Building, located nearby on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Rodin Museum on the 2200 block of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and two 18th-century houses in Fairmount Park, Mount Pleasant and Cedar Grove. The Museum offers a wide variety of activities for public audiences, including special exhibitions, programs for children and families, lectures, concerts and films.

For additional information, contact the Marketing and Communications Department of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at (215) 684-7860. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 26th Street. For general information, call (215) 763-8100, or visit the Museum's website at www.philamuseum.org.