Media Release

UPCOMING EXHIBITS AT THE LOVELAND MUSEUM/GALLERY

July 21 – October 21 

Inspired Sculpture: A Study of Modern Innovators by Richard Walsh

After retiring from Colorado State University a few years ago, Richard Walsh began several small sculptural studies inspired by early 20^th century modern paintings and sculptures. His goal was to have fun while creating a modern sculptural garden in his back yard. This project evolved into art history studies of a artists including Picasso, Matisse, Moore, Arp, Lipchitz, Miro and others in an attempt to understand the relationship between cubist, surreal and abstract styles.  

Walsh modeled self-hardening clay, then molded and cast the bronze-resin miniatures, assisted by college students who considered the experience part of their art education. 

He recently studied sculptural methods at the Loveland Academy of Art and has studied painting and sculpture in evening classes while working as a college teacher of natural resource management and part-time planner for the National Park Service.

 

July 21 – October 21 

Berthoud’s Farming Heritage: Images of Agriculture from Colorado’s Little Thompson Valley 

The heart of Berthoud’s character is its agricultural lands and farming lifestyle that have defined the community for generations. This photography exhibit, the culmination of the Berthoud Farm Project, archives this history through photographs of farm life in the Berthoud area. The range of historic to contemporary photos bridge the time from the 1880’s to the present and honors the hard work and dedication of the regions farming families. The exhibition has been curated by Tom Vaughn, Director of the Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum. Contemporary photos were taken by Tom Vaughn and Jon Youngblut.

 

August 4 – September 30

Art Harvest: Images of the Farm 

This exhibition examines imagery regarding agrarian culture though historic and contemporary prints and paintings of farm life. Artistic views of agricultural life vary and are often dependent upon changing economic and social circumstances.  

Modes of expression range from a highly realistic, detailed and objective view of farm life to abstract, atmospheric imagery that reflects the deep emotional attachment to working the land. Persistent throughout is a social message of the farmer’s role in American society. In art, this creates a conflict between what is depicted and what farm life truly involves: hard labor and dedication to the land. 

Depictions of American farming reflect the desire to understand the symbolic value of man vs. land, worker vs. landowner, utopian ideal vs. urbanization. They reflect our inner struggle with progress and understanding that the value of the land is inherent and consistent, despite a changing world.  

Art Harvest: Images of the Farm is made possible by loans from private and public collections. Artists in the exhibition include many famous printmakers from the 1930’s including Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood and John Curry. Also included in the exhibit are contemporary and regional artists working in a broad range of media.