Thomas Hart Benton and the Navy presented by Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The newest exhibition at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Thomas Hart Benton and the Navy, will be on view February 16 through June 3, 2018 and will feature a series of 24 paintings and drawings that capture the heroic actions and moments of respite that made up life aboard submarines and around shipyards during World War II.

Benton, one of the more formidable personalities in American art, would have been familiar with such realities having served in the Navy during World War I.  In the 1940s, Benton’s patriotic ardour, which remained a driving force throughout his career, drew the attention of Abbott Laboratories, a leading pharmaceutical company that wound up underwriting the artist’s work throughout the war.  Abbott later donated many of Benton's World War II era images to the United States Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington, D.C., which generously lent them for this exhibition.

The Museum welcomes this exhibition to Jacksonville in the hope of engaging more members of our local military community.  To that end, the Museum will be offering discounted admission rates to military families through the run of the exhibition.  From February 16 through June 3, 2018, any active duty or former military ID holder can utilize the buy-one-get-one-free admission promotion. This is in addition to the already discounted Military entrance fee.

“In light of the current exhibition focus on the Navy, we want to not only invite our local military families to the Museum, but to also support and recognize them for their active role in shaping the Jacksonville community,” states Chief Operating Officer and Chief Curator Holly Keris. “Our military communities not only strengthen the local economy, but add to the diversity of people, thought, and ideas in our local conversation.”

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is honored to be able to bring this exhibition to the people of Jacksonville, and show its support for military families.

Related Programming: Talks & Tea Lecture Series: Thomas Hart Benton And The Navy Wed, Apr 18 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.  Members Free, Non-Members $6.  Registration required

Exhibition Season Presenters: Ameris Bank, City of Jacksonville, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, Inc., Robert D. and Isabelle T. Davis Endowment at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, The Director’s Circle at the Cummer Museum, The Schultz Family Endowment State of Florida.

Exhibition Season Sponsors: Mr. Ryan A. Schwartz, Carl S. Swisher Foundation, Inc.

In-Kind Sponsors: Agility Press, Inc., DoubleTree Jacksonville Riverfront, Wingard Creative.

 

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
  829 Riverside Avenue
  Jacksonville, Florida 32204
  (904) 356-6857
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