Add more merry at home with artful holiday decor

Whether it’s glamor and dazzle, or comfort and cozy you seek, bring holiday cheer home with these locally-sourced and inspired items available at the Mint Museum Store. From art-inspired decor to gifts for all ages and styles, there’s something for everyone on your gift list.

This year, Museum Store Sunday is extended to a full week. Save 29% on all regular-priced items in the store November 29-December 6. Just mention Museum Store Sunday at check out.

Flocked Green Stags Head, $100; and Frontier Platter, $64.

Limited Mint Edition Starworks (NC) Handblown Glass Ornaments, $28

Colorful Slim Champagne Glasses, $14 each

Multicolored Sequin LED Light Up Trees, $14-$22

Flocked Red HoHoHo’s (Set of 3), $28; and Flocked Green Trees, $10-$64

Career Chat with Mint Staff

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Get a sneak peek of our newest exhibition New Days, New Works

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Show your love with tie-dye hearts

This is a fun and easy project that can be used to share messages of hope and support with those you love. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38841″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]SUPPLIES: 

• Paper coffee filters
• Markers
• Scissors
• Glue
• Spray bottle for water
• Sharpie (optional)
• Protective table covering (ink from the markers will bleed through the coffee filter) 

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Instructions:

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]1. Use your markers to create designs and patterns on the coffee filters. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38842″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]2. When you are finished, place coffee filters on an old towel or disposable table covering. Spray the coffee filters lightly with water. Start with just a few sprays and watch the colors spread. You only need to spray one side. (Be careful not to use too much water or all your ink will bleed out.) [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38843″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]3. When the coffee filters have dried, fold them in half and cut out the shape of half a heart with the fold down the center. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38844″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]4. Put glue around the edge of one side of the heart. Use small pieces of crumpled-up filters or recycled paper as stuffing. Place the top filter over the stuffing and press down on the glued edges to form a pocket. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38845″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]5. Add glue to the other side of the heart, add a few more pieces of crumbled paper, and press seams together.Let glue dry. 

 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38846″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]6. Write a word to reflect on or a message to share with someone you love. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38840″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Challenge: Make several more hearts and string them together to form a garland or banner. 

Simplify: Pre-cut filters into heart shapes. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_separator][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

The Mint Museum From Home is Presented By Chase.

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Latin Music @ the Mint

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Sphere Series: Responsibility of Representing with Linda Foard Roberts

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5 works of art selected for Interactive CLT augmented reality series

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‘I would like us to realize we are all interconnected and interdependent, and act with empathy,’ says artist Mark Newport.

Mark Newport is the artist-in-residence and head of fiber at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. A self-described fiber artist who has worked with print, photography, video and performance art, his most recent work includes traditional European and American mending techniques on used garments. His work Batman in Barcelona is part of the Mint’s permanent collection.

Studio location: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

 

Artist and educator Mark Newport. Photo by Jeff Cancelosi

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“Redress 4”

How does your environment influence your art?

My work is currently small in scale and portable, so I only need a comfortable chair and good light to work. I prefer a space that is basically a white box with little on the walls beyond what I am currently working on. I also prefer to be able to control the sounds in the space—music, podcasts, movies or television, or silence.

Tell us about your new morning routine.

“Amends 2”

How are you winding down your day? Have any recommendations for stress relievers to settle after another day done?

Dinner with my wife, then we watch TV, and I usually knit. Sometimes I play backgammon on my phone. Knitting is my stress reliever.

What are you cooking? What’s your comfort food of choice?

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The Mint Museum From Home is Sponsored by Chase.

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Studio location: Belmont, NC

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“Sugar House,” 2011, Acrylic paint, glitter, lottery tickets, puzzle pieces on canvas, 6’ x 16’

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“Elegy LXXIII,” 2020, Acrylic on shaped canvas, 67 1/2” x 83 1/4”

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The Mint Museum From Home is Sponsored by Chase.

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These Zoom backgrounds will transform your next meeting into a work of art

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Our team has put together backgrounds of our exhibition Classic Black: The Basalt Sculpture of Wedgwood and His Contemporaries to turn your living room into an art gallery. Use the downloadable images as backgrounds on Zoom or your favorite video conferencing technology.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#69c5c6″][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][vc_column_text]Classic Black Background 1

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Student artists sketch in Classic Black galleries

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Afterschool Art Club Virtual Gallery Tour

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Studio location: Lesa, Maggiore Lake, Italy

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The Mint Museum From Home is Sponsored by Chase.

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Why designing theater sets has shown me museum exhibition design can (and should) be so much more than a white box

By HannaH Crowell

Four years ago, I took my career off the stage and into the gallery. After working as a freelance theatre designer for many years, I joined The Mint Museum staff as the exhibition designer in 2016.

Inspired by art since childhood, theatre revealed itself as a form of creative expression that combined my love for art and storytelling. The daughter of an amazing storyteller, I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a storyteller, too. But I wanted to create spaces where these stories came to life.

Those early formative years have led to a career focused on crafting the immersive art experience, emphasizing audience engagement and finding new ways to tell stories. And while I now work full-time in the museum world, I’ve kept my foot in the arena of theatre design, often designing for Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.

The transition from theatre to museum work has redefined how I use design to interpret space and engage an audience in a story. But, there are three lessons theatre has taught me that I bring to each new project.

Curtain up! The big reveal sets the scene

When the lights go down in the theatre, just before the curtain rises, my heart skips and I tear up. It’s been this way since I was a kid, and when I started working in theatre I didn’t become numb to it—I learned to design for it. The big reveal is not just part of the magic, it’s the first impression you give your audience of the world you’ve created for the story.

Of course, we can’t raise a curtain for every visitor to a museum gallery, but I work to design each Mint exhibition entry in a way that still gives the visitor that big reveal. For most exhibitions, the entry begins with a title wall that provides a brief introduction to the exhibition concept. I want ours to go one step farther: to set the rhythm and atmosphere for the visitor’s experience.

For Under Construction: Collage from The Mint Museum, an exhibition exploring the dynamic medium of collage that opened December 2018 at Mint Museum Uptown, I wanted to give the visitor a tactile experience upon entering. So we created a wall, where visitors could tear off each letter of the exhibition name. By tearing away a layer of the title wall, the visitor would participate in an ever-evolving collage and better understand how a collage is made through the layering, tearing, and subtracting of materials.

The exhibition “Under Construction” included an interactive element that allowed visitors to help create an ever-evolving collage. Photos by Brandon Scott

Sometimes, though, the big reveal of an exhibition entry needs to transport the visitor into an entirely new world. For the Mint Museum’s exhibition Michael Sherrill Retrospective—on view from October 2018 through April 2019 at Mint Museum Uptown—it was important that upon entry, the visitor develop a strong connection to the artist Michael Sherrill, known for his groundbreaking work with clay, glass and metal.

For Michael Sherrill Retrospective, I took a far more atmospheric approach, designing an environmental treatment that immersed the visitor in the lush green forest of western North Carolina, set against the cobalt blue stained wood planking matched to Michael’s Studio. The entry transitions the visitor seamlessly between interior and exterior spaces inspired by Michael’s studio space and surrounding property.

Left to right: A visit to Michael Sherrill’s property. Photos by HannaH Crowell. The exhibition entrance to “Michael Sherrill Retrospective” at Mint Museum Uptown. Photo by Brandon Scott

Listen to what the characters have to say

The first step in any theatre design process is reading the script. Each character is an essential part of the story, and the playwright has given important information that defines the world of the play—and the design—in the character’s dialogue. The first step in an exhibition design process is reviewing a document similar to a script, known as a checklist. More like a character breakdown, the checklist gives specific information about each work of art that will be in the exhibition. Unlike a script, the characters in the checklist don’t have speaking lines. And yet, they still speak if you know how to listen.

While it took an adjustment at first when transitioning from theatre to museum design, I learned to rely on the curator, the artist, lots of research and my own intuition to help interpret what the objects have to say and how this informs the world of the exhibition.

For the Mint’s most recent exhibition Classic Black: The Basalt Sculpture of Wedgwood and His Contemporaries at Mint Museum Randolph, I worked with curator Brian Gallagher and did months of research to help interpret what the more than 100 objects—ranging from small portrait medallions to large busts and vases—all of the objects had their own story, so finding a way to weave those stories together to create a seamless narrative was one of the biggest design challenges I’d faced. The other distinctive aspect of these “characters” was that they were all “costumed in black”—or rather, they are all made of a black basalt ceramic material. So one of the first design decisions influenced by our cast of characters was to set them in a world of color. But how to shape the gallery into a stage that each of these characters could come to life?

Inside the galleries at “Classic Black: The Basalt Sculpture of Wedgwood and His Contemporaries” at Mint Museum Randolph. Photo by Brandon Scott

Originally produced in the 18^th century, these objects were thriving in the height of neoclassical design. My research lead me through the designs of Robert Adam, whose aesthetic focused on the movement of the eye from floor to ceiling, creating architectural features that would frame these objects within the elegant rooms. For our exhibition, each of the three gallery rooms was inspired by the grand designs of the neoclassical style. The Sculpture Hall for the character that told the story of the classics, The Library for the characters that were the thinkers and the politicians, and finally, for the beautiful characters fit for the finest entertaining, The Drawing Room.

The audience is your most important collaborator

Theatre is a collaborative art. Actors, the director, designers, and stage technicians—they all bring their expertise and talents to the process, but it isn’t until that first performance with an audience that the team is complete. While working as a theatre designer, I was so intrigued by the prospect of designing for an environment where the audience is no longer confined to a theatre seat and can navigate their way through a multidimensional creative moment.

This led me away from the “black box” of the theatre and into the “white box” of the museum gallery. With each new exhibition design project, I learn and apply new ways of creating immersive and engaging spaces for the visitor to create their own stories.

The most theatrical design I’ve yet to do in the museum, the exhibition Never Abandon Imagination: The Fantastical Art of Tony DiTerlizzi needed a design that invited the characters in DiTerlizzi’s illustrations to break out of the white box and come play in the gallery. Designed into the immersive exhibition there where drawing activities, larger than life character cutouts, and books to read and look at so that visitors to the exhibition could interact with the characters the book they live in, creating their own stories.

Inside the gallery at the “Never Abandon Imagination: The Fantastical Art of Tony DeTerlizzi.”

I still return to the theatre to remind myself of these lessons and learn new ones that might help make me a stronger designer—for the stage or the gallery. Last fall I worked with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte on their world premiere production of The Invisible Boy. Part rock concert and part picture book, the scenic design brought the beloved children’s story by Trudy Ludwig to life, pulling inspirations directly from the pages of this thoughtful book about a boy, Brian, whose vivid imagination becomes a canvas for his creativity.

On set at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s “The Invisible Boy” performance. Photos by John Merrick

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Dr. Leo Twiggs and his wife at his induction to the South Carolina Hall of Fame.

After years of exploring racism, inequalities, and crises through his art, Dr. Leo Twiggs feels pull of pandemic

An American painter, artist, and educator who grew up in the South, Dr. Leo Twiggs’ phenomenal exhibition Requiem for Mother Emanuel was showcased at the Mint Museum Randolph. Requiem was his artistic response to the massacre of nine church members during a prayer meeting in the historical Charleston house of worship, Mother Emanuel AME Church. Here he shares his thoughts on how the pandemic is affecting his daily routine and inspiring his art, as well as the positive effects he hopes to see after.

Studio location: Orangeburg, S.C.

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Ice investigations: A ‘cool’ project for kids

Freeze odds and ends from around the house in a water-filled resealable bag or plastic container, and dig them out again using tools you have on hand. Inspired by artist Danny Lane’s Threshold—a sculptural glass installation comprising an undulating wall of glass rods with colorful objects and lights placed behind—the process-based project promotes eye-hand coordination, builds vocabulary and critical-thinking skills, and is lots of fun.

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Supplies

• Water 
• Large zip lock bag or plastic container (make sure it fits in your freezer!) 
• Objects to freeze 
• Real or toy hammer, metal  or wooden spoon, chopsticks, peeler etc. (depending on the age and ability of the child) 
• Optional: gloves, safety goggles or sunglasses, food coloring, magnifying glass 

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#69c5c6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Put the resealable bag it into a bowl or container and add water. Let your child add the items one by one, observing whether the items sink or float or look different in the water. Seal the bag, removing the air, and place it in the freezer. Occasionally peek at the bag as it is freezing to see how things are changing.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Assemble your excavation tools. Be sure to take safety precautions if using any sharp tools! Once your ice is frozen, remove from container. Make observations about shape, weight, texture. Are there air bubbles? Do the objects look different from different angles?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

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Once frozen, take everything outside if you can, or place it in a tub or larger container. Experiment with chipping away at the ice with different “excavation” tools to reveal hidden objects.  [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row position=”50% 100%” background=”https://mintmuseumold.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DiamondPatternFade-Website.png”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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The Mint Museum From Home is Presented By Chase.

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Spring cleaning during shelter-in-place? Here are tips for preserving all your favorite things, from photos to clothes to important documents

Spring cleaning is taking on a whole new meaning while we’re all cooped up and social distancing inside. Whether you’re cleaning out your closets or that pesky home office, here are some tips from the Mint’s Library & Archives team on how to preserve the stuff you actually want to keep.

1. Always opt for cardboard storage bins

Contrary to what you see on the stocked shelves at the Container Store, cardboard boxes are usually better than plastic bins for storage. Why? Plastic bins can breed mold since they can seal in moisture. (Pro tip: You know those little packets in new shoe boxes? Those absorb moisture. Hang on them to use to throw in plastic storage bins. Just make sure to keep them away from pets and kids!)

2. With cherished papers, skip the paper clips, staples

From kids artwork on the fridge to awards and certificates, it can be hard to know how to best store our cherished paper possessions. For starters, paper is best kept flat. You’ll want to make sure you papers are unfolded and laid flat for storage. If possible, storing in acid-free file folders will help with preservation (these can be easily ordered online if you don’t have any on hand). You’ll also want to remove any paper clips or staples, as these can rust and ruin your papers. Finally, if your item is too large for a folder, rolling it up will always be better than folding.

3. Embrace acid-free paper with photo albums and scrapbooks

Photo albums and scrapbooks are another tricky item to know how to preserve. The first question here: Is everything glued down? If so, just leave it. The photos can be damaged by trying to remove them. You can add sheets of acid free paper between the pages to help prevent acid from the album pages to migrate and deteriorate your mementos. To save a few bucks, check your printer paper if you have any because it might just be acid free. Put the album in a box for extra protection.

4. Here’s how long you should keep tax and loan docs

Most of us have—but don’t want to admit to—a stack of miscellaneous papers in our homes that seem important and probably shouldn’t be thrown away. But knowing when to actually throw away that tax return or bank statement from three years ago can feel really overwhelming. As a rule of thumb, you should plan to keep tax returns for seven years, loan documents until the loan is paid off, and any one-time documents like social security cards and birth certificates forever, according to Consumer Reports.

5. With clothes and fabric, pack flat and wrap strategically

Well, Joan Crawford was right. No wire hangers! Wood, plastic, or padded hangers are a much better choice to preserve your garments. When saving older garments, they should be packed flat and wrapped in acid-free tissue. Quilts and other fabrics should be handled gently and with care, stored in a cool, dry location, and avoid any cleaning or washing if the fabrics are antiques or may have monetary or sentimental value. Read this article from the National Archives for more quilt and fabric preservation tips.

6. Embrace vampire tendencies

Whether you are storing paper, photos, or clothing, keep them out of the sun and away from heat sources to prevent fading and damage. In addition to light sources, keep your valuables away from sources of moisture or water to avoid mold. Keep away from pipes as well, as they can burst and water damage your items. Garages and basements are not the best places for storage; try keeping cherished items stored inside the house where there is more temperature control instead.

We on the Library & Archives team at the Mint know a thing or two about preservation, but this is just a primer. There are loads of online resources for every type of item you can think of. One of our favorite trusted sources is the North Carolina Preservation Consortium; the Mint is a member![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Let your mind wander with watercolors

In this brief Museum from Home video, Mint staffer Leslie Strauss leads viewers through a simple painting and drawing activity, good for all ages. Don’t have paints at home? Grab some magic markers instead and get ready to be creative.

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Supplies

• Paper
• Water cup and paint brush
• Watercolor paints or washable magic markers
• Sharpies, colored pencils, or any drawing tools 
  

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The Mint Museum From Home is Presented By Chase.

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Get your weave on with items you have at home

All you need is a piece of cardboard and a few basic materials to create your own portable loom at home. This weaving project is inspired by John Garrett’s piece,  Tales Told on a Sunday Afternoon Between Los Cordovas and the Pilar Landslide, in which he incorporates found objects from a hike he took in his home state of New Mexico. 

John Garrett (American, 1950– ). Tales Told on a Sunday Afternoon Between Los Cordovas and the Pilar Landslide, 1997, fiber, metal, found objects. Museum Purchase: Funds provided by Fred and Emily Gurtman. 1997.109. © 1997 John Garrett

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Supplies

• Cardboard 
• Ruler 
• Pencil 
• Scissors 
• Large-eye blunt needle (try finger weaving if you don’t have a needle) 

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Gather your found objects. Searching your house and yard for found objects is half the fun! Look for things that can be woven with like sprigs of plants, twist ties, and rubber bands. Old buttons and beads are fun to thread onto yarn while weaving. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Find your piece of cardboard. It can be any size. Your woven piece can be as large as your cardboard. Think about what you want to turn your weaving into. It can be a wall hanging, bookmark, coaster, or anything else you imagine.  [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Use a ruler and pencil to make a mark every ½ inch along the top and the bottom edge of your cardboard. Then use scissors to cut a half-inch slit over each mark you made. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Choose a piece yarn to wrap your loom with to create the vertical elements of your weaving, or the warp. Starting from the backside or your loom, leave a 6 inch tail at the back and wrap your yarn through the first row of notches. Continue wrapping your loom until all notches have a row of yarn sitting in them. Cut your excess yarn, and leave a 6 inch tail at the back of your loom. You can tape these tails to your loom if you think they’ll be in your way.  [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Now you can start weaving. Simply weave your pieces over and under each strand of the warp. Under the first string, over the second, under the third, etc. If you have found objects that seem difficult to weave with, go ahead and start with those, and then fill in the gaps with your more manageable yarn pieces. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row repeat=”repeat-x” position=”50% 100%” background=”https://mintmuseumold.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DiamondPatternFade-Website.png”][vc_column][vc_column_text]When weaving with yarn, cut pieces to 10-12 inches. This gives you a reasonable length to work with while avoiding it turning into a tangled mess. Don’t pull the yarn too tight, as this can cause your whole piece to become warped. 

When you reach the end of your working yarn, tie a knot around the final strand of warp and either use a needle to tuck it into your piece, or just trim the tail off. To begin a new row, simply cut a new piece of yarn and begin again, leaving a 6 inch tail. If you have one, use a comb or a fork to even out rows. 

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The Mint Museum From Home is Presented By Chase.

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From basalt to charcoal: don’t miss this gallery-sketching time lapse inside the Mint’s ‘Classic Black’ exhibition (more…)

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De-stress making a mandala

A mandala is a circular geometric configuration of symbols. With roots in Southeast Asian spiritual tradition, many today use these as a form of focused concentration, meditation, and relaxation. Art making also helps to identify and express emotion. This exercise uses symbols and colors to convey feelings.  

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Supplies

• Sheet of paper or paper plate 

• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons 

• A small round object such as a penny 

• Ruler or measuring tape (or you can just eyeball it) 

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”36878″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Start by thinking of symbols that you like or that have meaning in your life. You can sketch some out on a separate piece of paper.

Next, think of a list of feelings and write them down. Decide which color best matches the feeling and make a mark for yourself so that you can look back at it as you create your mandala.  [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”36880″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Find the center of your paper or paper plate using a measuring device. Trace a small object over the top of the center point. This will give you a starting place. Working from the center, create patterns using symbols or colors that express your feelings.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”36879″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Reflect on your finished piece. What colors are you drawn to? What feelings did you assign to those colors? Did you notice any change in your feelings as you progressed through the activity?  [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row position=”50% 100%” background=”https://mintmuseumold.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DiamondPatternFade-Website.png”][vc_column][cs_responsive_video radio=”1:1″ mp4=”https://mintmuseumold.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Mandala_Time_Lapse_480-1.mp4″][/cs_responsive_video][vc_empty_space][vc_separator][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

The Mint Museum From Home is Presented By Chase.

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Studio location: Blue Ridge Mountains, NC

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Photo by Katrina Williams/Fifty Two Hundred Photo

‘I feel an impulse to be bolder, more direct,’ says artist Damian Stamer

Damian Stamer is a North Carolina native whose art is influenced by his Southern roots and rural landscapes. Though he’s painting the same subject matter, Stamer says he’s finding a different energy and urgency to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Studio location: Nestled in the woods of northern Durham County, North Carolina

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St. Marys Rd 8

How does your environment influence your art?

In a way, my environment is my art. I paint my everyday surroundings. These are the places of my childhood. They allow me to explore memory, with all its faults and fictions, and investigate the tension between personal and historical truth.

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These documentaries will help you get your art fix from home

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Movies are one sure-fire way to pass the time in our new don’t-leave-the-house era. And because our passion for art doesn’t fade away in a crisis, here are a few art and design documentaries to help you get your art fix until we are able to open our doors once again.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#69c5c6″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”35875″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Craft in America

The Peabody Award-winning series on PBS explores America’s creative spirit through the language and traditions of the handmade. The series takes viewers on a journey to the artists, origins and techniques of American craft. Two artists in our collection, Diego Romero and Cristina Cordova, are featured on the episode “Identity.”

Where it’s streaming: PBS. https://www.craftinamerica.org/episodes[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Exit Through The Gift Shop

Talk a stroll through the ever-evolving world of street art. This documentary follows Thierry Guetta, a French native living in Los Angeles as he explores his own work, and the work of famous street artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey (whose work was featured in the Mint’s Under Construction exhibition). Street art also plays a huge role in our special exhibition Classic Black, which combines the work of local mural artist Owl with the basalt sculptures of Josiah Wedgwood.

Where it’s streaming: Amazon Prime, Google Play and digital rental services.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”35871″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Abstract: The Art of Design

A look beyond blueprints and computers into the art and science of design, showcasing great designers from every discipline whose work shapes our world.

Where it’s streaming: Netflix. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Out of the Fire: The Art and Science of Ceramics

Join Dr. Alexis G. Clare, professor of glass science at the New York State College, Alfred University, on a journey of ceramics from past to present. 

Where it’s streaming: PBS.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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5 podcasts that make us excited about art, even if we can’t see it

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ArtCrush

Catch up on both seasons of the Mint’s very own podcast. Hear interviews with artists from our collections and special exhibitions, hot takes from Mint curators, and even our very own President & CEO, Todd Herman.

Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Museum Confidential

Love any and all museums? Museum Confidential gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of your favorite museums. From an interview with Killer Mike, High Museum Board Member, to chatting about visitor data with Colleen Dilenschneider, this one goes out to all the proud museum nerds out there. Listen on NPR

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Talk Art

Hosted by actor Russell Tovey and gallerist Robert Diament, Talk Art is a podcast dedicated to the world of art featuring exclusive interviews with leading artists, curators & gallerists. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

ArtCurious

True Crime, rivals, and shock value? No, this isn’t the next Netflix docu-series. It’s ArtCurious, an art history podcast hosted by Jennifer Dasal that is sure to delight and awe like no school art history class ever could. Listen on the ArtCurious website or via Apple podcasts[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Art Movements

Brought to you by Hyperallergic, an art forum and website created in 2009, Art Movements podcast brings you all the up-to-date happenings from across the art world. Hosted by Hrag Vartanian, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hyperallergic, Art Movements talks about everything from what artists need to know about taxes, to art history, to arts pop culture and everything in between. Listen on the Hyperallergic website.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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14 more books to delve into while staying in during COVID-19

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Inspiration for great reads keeps coming from the Mint staff. Following are 14 more books to help fill the void and curiosity while you are at home. Order print copies from local bookseller Park Road Books for curbside pickup, or find digital copies on Audible, Hoopla, and Overdrive.  [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#ea9823″][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][vc_column_text]

ARTFUL READS 

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Old Masters, New World: America’s Raid on Europe’s Great Pictures by Cynthia Saltzman 

“This book answers the question: How did big American art museums acquire so much European art?  Wealthy Gilded Age American entrepreneurs jostled with one another to collect and bring known works of art across the Atlantic —  Rembrandts, Raphaels, etc. 

—Joel Smeltzer, Head of School and Gallery Programs[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

The Popes of Avignon: A Century in Exile by Edwin Mullins 

As an Italian Renaissance scholar, I have usually looked at this period in the history of the Catholic Church from the Italian perspective and not the French. Well written and a good read. 

—Todd Herman, President and CEO [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#ea9823″][vc_column_text]

NOVELS 

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The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien 

I’m spending lots of time reading to my kids these days. This week we started reading “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien to my eldest daughter. She may be a bit young for some of the material, but our family has been enjoying reading a “big girl book” nightly. It provides us all a chance to escape, and have an adventure without leaving our house — something that is becoming more challenging everyday. This copy actually belonged to my mother when she was a child, and she read it to me when I was young, so it has been well loved. 

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The Hundred Story Home by Kathy Izard 

I saw Kathy Izard speak and was so inspired by her story that I bought her book. I started reading it this week and was reminded of how helping others changes us. Her work with homelessness in the Charlotte area led to the city-wide effort to build Moore Place. This book has reminded me of the importance of listening to your inner voice. It’s helpful for us, especially now, to find ways to practice compassion – even if we have to do it with a mask on. 

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Introducing the Honourable Phryne Fisher by Kerry Greenwood 

The adventures of a sassy flapper in 1920s Australia who just happens to be a private detective.  She’s daring, independent, and smarter than all the men around her. What’s not to like? 

—Ellen Show, Archivist [/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”36813″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood 

Oryx and Crake is from the same author as A Handmaid’s Tale, and is centered around a man living in the post-apocalyptic ruins of a world he helped create, after humanity is near-entirely killed off by a bio-engineered plague. It’s the first book in the MaddAddam trilogy, and was a very good read.

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NONFICTION 

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A Little History of The World by E.H. Gombrich 

I keep this book on my nightstand. It was recommended to me by one of my favorite art history professors. It’s not filled with names and dates, but is a collection of 40 short chapters about human experience and achievement — a fairy tale-like history of the world. Perfect for young readers and fun to read aloud to smaller children. 

—Maggie Burgan, Public Programs Coordinator[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”35980″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard 

This enchanting book uses a mouthwatering metaphor to unlock the magic in interior spaces. The chapters delve into the hidden life of the house, rooms, nests, shells, attics and cellars. Adult readers will enjoy sharing excerpts and helpIng their family to find and savor familiar spaces. Miniatures and shells are some of my favorite chapters. (Free download available.) 

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On Looking by Alexandria Horowitz 

A walker’s guide to the art of observation. I am enjoying it because Horowitz shows is how much more there is to see if we only take the time to look. 

—Diane Lowry, Guest Services Associate 

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My 25 Years in Provence-Reflections of Then and Now by Peter Mayle

Easy, fun read that breaks up the more academic books. Wonderfully written. 

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Life on Mars by Tracy K. Smith

I always try to have one book of poetry going for when I need an escape from reality, but I only have five minutes to make the trip. Tracy K. Smith’s books have been in rotation for a while, but her Life on Mars collection is a favorite because it not only plays off her love for David Bowie, but the title is my favorite Bowie song. Also, rereading it, I’m surprised by how much it captures the hope in the bleak unpredictability of every day. Take the end of her poem, Sci-Fi:

. . . Weightless, unhinged,

Eons from even our own moon, we’ll drift

In the haze of space, which will be, once

And for all, scrutable and safe.

—Jen S. Edwards, PhD, Chief Curator and Curator or Contemporary Arts[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Powership: Transform Any Situation, Close Any Deal, and Achieve Any Outcome by Daymond John of ABC’s Shark Tank 

I have followed Daymond’s career and wanted to hear his advice on taking control of your destiny. So far it’s been lots of good tips and advice on how to make connections. It’s good listening while we work from home. 

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Just for Fun

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The Dangerous Book for Dogs by Rex & Sparky 

We have four legged “kids,” so just for fun we are reading The Dangerous Book for Dogs by Rex & Sparky. 

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Magazines 

I’ve not really been able to concentrate on a book, but I am loving magazines for a bit of respite from the surreal week we’ve had. The colorful and inspiring pages of House Beautiful, Artist magazine and Traveler from AAA have been a feast to the eye. 

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Studio location: West Charlotte

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Describe the artwork you create and medium your use.

I paint and draw using graphite, pastel, acrylic, oil, and spray paint. Although mostly abstract, I do work representationally as well.

(from left to right)
Katherine Boxall. Black Licorice, 2020, acrylic, pastel, spray paint, and oil on canvas. Courtesy of the artist
Katherine Boxall. Maple Candy, 2019, acrylic, oil, spray paint, and pastel on canvas. Courtesy of the artist
Katherine Boxall. Tread, 2020, acrylic, pastel, spray paint, and oil on canvas. Courtesy of the artist

[cs_divider align=”center”]Are you finding new inspiration for your art during this shift of perspective in the world?

I feel grateful that my work is already self-directed and motivated, but the toll of this crisis is making it challenging to feel ‘inspired’. Right now, I am working to break down those mental blocks and use the opportunity to push myself and my work.

Tell us about your afternoon. Are you working from home or going to your studio?

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Make your own marble prints with shaving cream

This fun (and messy) project for all ages is inspired by the paintings of Harlem Renaissance painter, Beauford Delaney. Your final creation can be displayed as a print, folded into a card, or used as the background for a collage or drawing. Share what you make by tagging us on Instagram @themintmuseum.

Inspired by Beauford Delaney (American, 1901–79). Untitled, 1959, oil on canvas. Museum Purchase: The Katherine and Thomas Belk Acquisition Fund. 2017.7

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SUPPLIES

• Baking sheet or tray (large enough to fit your paper and deep enough to hold shaving cream)
• White shaving cream
• Paint or food coloring
• Stick or toothpick (end of paintbrush works too)
• Plastic ruler or other flat edge that can get wet
• Paper
• Paper towels or cleaning cloth
• Open space to lay out your prints

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STEPS

1. Cover bottom of sheet pan with shaving cream.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]2. Drizzle paint or food coloring on top of shaving cream and use a stick to swirl colors together. Be careful not to over mix or colors will become muddy.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]3. Press paper gently into shaving cream making sure to get the whole sheet to make contact.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]4. Lift from one corner and remove the paper (shaving cream will stick to it). Lay it dry side down on paper towels or a surface that can be washed.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]5. Starting at one end, scrape off shaving cream with ruler or flat edge.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row repeat=”repeat-x” position=”50% 100%” background=”https://mintmuseumold.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DiamondPatternFade-Website.png”][vc_column][vc_column_text]6. Lightly blot your paper with a clean paper towel or rag and let dry. You can use the same shaving cream a second time to make a lighter version of the first. Just repeat steps 3-6.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_separator][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

The Mint Museum From Home is Presented By Chase.

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12 Books Mint Staffers Are Reading During These Crazy COVID-19 Times

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We all need some inspiration for how to make the most of the time while home. From artful reads to novels and nonfiction, here’s what the Mint staff is reading. And though we know a run to the library is out, check out Audible, Hoopla, and Overdrive for digital versions.  [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#ea9823″][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][vc_column_text]

ARTFUL READS 

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Of Cats and Men: Profiles of History’s Great Cat-Loving Artists, Writers, Thinkers, and Statesmen by Sam Kalda 

My niece sent me this book, assuming I would enjoy it because No. 1, I’m a man, and No. 2, I have six cats. She was right! This small, but completely delightful book profiles 30 famous and talented men — Mark Twain, Romare Bearden, Freddie Mercury, and Sir Isaac Newton, to name a few — and their love for their cats. Sam Kalda’s breezy, anecdote-laden write-ups, and wonderful color illustrations make this the purr-fect publication to pick up this reader’s mood every time he opens it. 

—Brian Gallagher, Curator of Decorative Arts [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Vincent Van Gogh: Letters from Provence by Martin Bailey 

An important moment in the history of this region of France. I always think it’s very important to hear the firsthand accounts from historical figures whenever possible. You get to know them better and often gain insights into their daily lives that never make it into biographies. 

—Todd A Herman, PhD, President and CEO  [/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”35910″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art by Mary Gabriel 

I first began this book because of my love and curiosity for the Abstract Expressionist and the movement that changed the art world with swirls of color, often rooted in emotion rather than subject matter. But more specifically, I dove head first in this book because it features five of the women that passionately threw themselves into the middle of this movement. These artists, against all odds, used art to understand the chaos that surrounded them during a time when the world was changing drastically. When I first started reading it, we were not yet in the midst of a pandemic, but now as I read, it gives me hope that on the other side of our current situation there will be a lot of beautiful creativity… Who knows, maybe even a new art movement. 

—HannaH Crowell, Exhibition Designer [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#ea9823″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]

NOVELS 

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The Radium Girls by Kate Moore 

This book is about girls who applied radium to wash their faces before it was known how dangerous it was. Great lesson in history.  

—Lyndee Champion Ivey, Executive Assistant [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt 

I am reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. So far the book is about a young boy who lost his mother in a tragic accident at the Met. Theo, the young boy, survives and takes a small painting out of the museum when he escapes. The book is about love and loss, and the different people that come into Theo’s life. This is a book I haven’t been able to put down. 

—Martha Snell, Grants Manager [/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”35918″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel by Abi Daré 

I just started Abi Daré’s The Girl with the Louding Voice, one of my Book of the Month Club picks. (NOTE: BOTM is perfect for self-quarantined book lovers.) It’s about a 14-year-old Nigerian girl who is first sold into marriage, then into servanthood, but remains determined to find her voice — and her future.  

—Caroline Portillo, Director of Marketing [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#ea9823″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]

NONFICTION 

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The One Thing by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan 

The One Thing takes the position that multitasking is ineffective and that we should concentrate  on one goal at a time. The core idea is to determine what single achievement is most important in getting you toward your goals. I began reading this about 10 days ago in response to my ever-growing, unmanageable to-do list. As all of our lives go through rapid change, I’m grateful to have the reminder to slow my brain down and focus on the most important things.  

—Katherine Steiner, Chief Registrar [/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”35907″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai 

I started reading I Am Malala last week. It was a gift from my boss, who knows how much I love nonfiction stories, especially about women. Here’s a little summary: “When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. She was shot in the head while riding the bus home from school. 

—Kurma Murrain, Community Programs Coordinator [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Becoming by Michele Obama 

This is the April discussion book for my book club. I have been a member of The No Name Book Club for over 20 years. While wine is an important part of our meetings, this is a serious group of readers. If one is present, it’s understood that you read the book! I consequently make it to about half of the meetings per year.  

—Amy Grigg, Manager and Buyer for Retail Operations [/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”35908″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

The Complete Book of Garlic by Ted Jordan Meredith 

I am currently re-reading The Complete Book of Garlic by Ted Jordan Meredith because: 

• Garlic is one of the most fascinating crops. What else do you plant in November? 

• The photographs alone are worth taking the time to crack this book open. 

•  It is calming to be gardening and reading about gardening during these stressful times. 

—Eric Speer, Associate Registrar [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#ea9823″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]

FOR THE KIDS 

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Poe Won’t Go by Kelly DiPucchio 

Poe is a friendly elephant, but when he decides to just stop moving in the middle of the town, everyone is in an uproar about how to get him moving along. After lots of silly attempts by well-meaning grown-ups, one kind girl takes the time to talk with Poe and discovers the very reason he won’t go. A story of kindness and friendship, and favorite of my 4-year-old. 

—Michele Huggins, Media Relations and Communications Project Manager [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Little Blue Truck Leads the Way by Alice Schertle 

A recommendation from my 21-month-old son, Jacob. It’s a tale about a truck who heads to the big city and encounters lots of traffic and me-first personalities. Chaos ensues, and our protagonist has to use his country sensibilities to effect change. Jacob’s passion for “beep beep” is indefatigable. Mine? Well … 

—Caroline Portillo, Director of Marketing [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]