Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Exciting Things at the Booth Museum

It has been some time since the last post.... There has just been so much going on at the Museum it has been difficult to catch you all up!

In May, we opened Four Seasons in Yellowstone: Photographs by Tom Murphy which is on display until September 12. It has been a very popular exhibit - we have seen guests come back two and three times to view the exquisite images captured by master photographer Murphy. There are over 40 images which capture the free, roaming wildlife, as well as the flora, fauna and geological wonders of Yellowstone National Park. Even those who have visited Yellowstone before have seen images they would have never experienced on their own. We were also lucky enough to have Murphy here in person for two special evening lectures and a photography workshop.

June kicked-off the first ever Dinner Theatre series at the Booth Museum. Held the third Thursday in June, July and August, Dinner Theatre was held in the Booth Ballroom and featured live entertainment and a delicious dinner prepared by our Food & Beverage Staff. All three Dinner Theatre events were well attended and featured some familiar Booth Museum staff - Jim Dunham and Doc Stovall - performing favorites: An Evening With Mark Twain, Bullets & Ballads and Trails Plowed Under. We hope to grow our Dinner Theatre series next summer and offer new and exciting live entertainment for our guests!

The first ever Backyard BBQ was held on the Booth Museum lawn in early July. In conjunction with the Downtown Development Authority's Summer Concert and the Bartow History Museum, the Booth Museum invited guests to tour the Museum as well as enjoy a delicious dinner provided by Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse. Also in July, the 4th Biennial Member, Staff & Volunteer Art Exhibition opened in the Borderlands Gallery. It is amazing to see the talented artists we have in our Museum family! Be sure to stop by and see the great work on display through October 3.

August wasn't much different than the previous three months - busy, busy, busy! The second annual Journey West Gala was held on August 21. The black tie optional event featured live and silent auctions, a cocktail reception, live music, delicious gourmet dinner, and the presentation of the Booth Museum Lifetime Achievement Award to artist Ken Riley. It was a wonderful evening for all those in attendance.
(Honored artist Ken Riley, Maria Riley, and Kelly and Seth Hopkins)

As we enter September, things don't appear to be slowing down too much... It is with great excitement that we prepare for the largest exhibition ever held at the Booth Museum - Ansel Adams: A Legacy. This very special exhibition - occupying two galleries of the Museum - will open on Saturday, September 25. We have several great guest speakers and events scheduled to coincide with the exhibition which will run through February 20, 2011. Be sure to check the Museum website and keep tuned into the Booth Blog for further details.