Beautiful Utility: Decorated Objects of Cowboy and Indian Country

"Beautiful Utility: Decorated Objects of Cowboy and Indian Country" has only been open a few weeks, but it has already proven to be a successful exhibtion. With over 150 objects spanning approximately 200 years of history, the exhibition brings a different form of art to the Booth Museum. The idea behind the exhibition it that people throughout history have enjoyed being surrounded by art in all aspects of their lives, from the everyday, routine stuff to the special occasions. "Beautiful Utlity" shows s a number of ojects from Indians of the American West and Cowboys that demonstrate the ways in which they surrounded themselves by art - even 200 years ago. You can even see the ways in which people choose to surround themselves with decorative Western items today - items that fall outside the realm of paintings, drawings and sculpture.

"Beautiful Utility" was curated by the Booth Museum's very own Jim Dunham. Jim's role at the Museum is typical Director of Special Projects. He is also the Museum's resident historian, gunslinger, and an artist, so curating this show was a natural fit for him. When Jim was first asked to curate the show, he was challenged with the task of trying to find items for exhibtion from the North Georgia area. Jim was skeptical at first, but that soon changed. Surprisingly, all the items in "Beautiful Utility" came from 14 families who live within 50 miles of the Booth Museum. Who knew such wonderful peices could be found right here in North Georgia.

"Beautiful Utility: Decorated Objects of Cowboy and Indian Culture" is on exhibit until September 16, 2007. Don't miss this opportunity to see these beautiful objects while they are here at the Museum.

Explore the West Without Leaving the South!

Looking for something different to do this summer? Then visit the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Located just 40 miles northwest of Atlanta and roughly 60 miles south of Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Booth Western Art Museum provides visitors the opportunity to explore the west without leaving the South. The core of the Museum's permanent collection focuses on Western artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Artists represented in the collection include Howard Terpning, Donna Howell-Sickles, Roy Anderson, Thom Ross, Maynard Dixon, Andy Warhol, Carrie Ballantyne, Carrie Fell, Steve Penley, Kim Wiggins, Carrie Fell and many more.

The Booth Western Art Museum collection also includes a Western illustration gallery and a gallery of Western movie posters. In addition to the Western art, the Booth Western Art Museum has contemporary Civil War art and the Carolyn & James Millar Presidential Gallery containing an original signed letter from every President.

Throughout the year, the Booth Western Art Museum hosts a number of exhibitions. Over the past year, exhibitions have included photographs by Jay Dusard, Steve Fitch, and Gene Peach; Native American baskets from the Lauren Rodgers Museum of Art; Native American rugs from the Teecs Nos Pos Trading Post in Arizona; art of the Taos and Santa Fe art colonies collected by Billy Schenck as well as Billy Schenck's own artwork; and ponies from the Trail of Painted Ponies. The Museum has also host exhibtions by other artist from around the Southeast who work in the field of Western art.

The Booth Western Art Museum is a great place to bring the family. Children and adults alike can learn about Western art and American history in a fun environment. If you bring the kids, be sure to visit Sagebrush Ranch. This interactive gallery lets children learn about art and history through a number of hands on activities. They can ride in a rocking stage coach, play at a child size chuck wagon, play checkers in the farm house, read a book in the bunk house, and dress up like a cowgirl or cowboy and then draw themselves while looking in a mirror. They can also learn about light, color, and composition in artwork.