By Eliana Shenk ’24, assistant editor
The spring 2024 art exhibition is on display depicting the history and evolution of American art.
Titled “American Modernism,” the exhibition includes art pieces from various American artists during the early 20th century. The works all come from the collection of Dr. Stefan Kruszewski and David Tobiasz. The pieces depict the changing landscape of American culture, society and art into the modern world.
“This is this interesting time period when so much is happening – art societies are forming here in the United States and there are colonies of art,” Dr. Barbara McNulty, director of the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery, said.
The pieces are organized mostly chronologically, developing specific themes as time passes. Each theme tells a story of what was happening in America at that time and how American art began to evolve as more European styles became more influential. This period was mostly marked by impressionism and post-impressionism coming over from France and how American artists made the style their own over time, developing into more avant-garde and abstract styles.
“It’s really the advent of modern art in America,” McNulty said.
The collection includes many types of media including oil paintings, prints, lithographs, etchings, watercolors and drawings, as well as one sculpture piece. Each piece offers a unique perspective of America and what defined American art at the time.
When visitors enter the gallery, they receive a catalog that includes each art piece and the story it depicts. With this guidance, visitors can walk around the gallery and see the themes develop over time through the works of art. “American Modernism” is on display in the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery until April 7. The gallery is open Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 1-4:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.