Summer Egret 2015 email

The Egret
A publication of the Maridon Museum
Summer 2015
322 N. McKean St., Butler, PA 16001 * 724.282.0123 * www.maridon.org
Samurai
at
The
Maridon
Samurai-soldiers, guards of
the imperial family, were
experts in unarmed combat,
(this is where we get the
fighting style judo from), also
expert swordsmen and
archers.
Samurai dolls were created in
the Edo period (1600-1868),
Edo being the former name of
Japan’ s capital city Tokyo.
The dolls represent the heroic
figures of folk tales and Japanese literature.
A Samurai’s everyday wear
would include the traditional
kimono along with sagemono
and netsuke; also they would
carry two swords, a waki zashi
or short sword, and katana or
long sword.
Iris leaves are symbolic of the
sword, thus used in displays
of samurai dolls. Iris leaves
adorn the Imperial palace
during the “Children’s Day”
festival celebration.
Swords are the symbol of the
Samurai.
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Samurai were said to fill their
bathtubs with iris leaves and
then bathe with them.
“Meissen at Maridon: Rare 18th Century Meissen Porcelain”
Exhibit and Lecture
Presented by
Dr. Friedrich “Fritz” Thiel, Ph.D., CIMA
About our speaker……………………………
It was one of those rare serendipitous events that brought Dr. Friedrich Thiel
to The Maridon for a visit one day that would blossom into one of The
Maridon’s finest presentations on Meissen porcelain to date. Dr. Thiel
discovered our 18th Century Meissen Porcelain and offered to share his
expertise and knowledge with our staff, docents and visitors.
Dr. Thiel received a BA from Yale and a Ph.D. in German Literature from the
University of Chicago. He was awarded scholarships from the German
Academic Exchange Commission as well as the Fulbright Commission and
studied a total of three semesters at the University of Tubingen and one at
the University of Hamburg. Dr. Thiel’s extensive bibliography reflects published books, poems, articles, lectures, and public recitations. He is the
recipient of many honors in Germany and the United States.
Dr. Thiel and
his wife Barbara, divide their time between homes in Sarasota, Florida and
Dusseldorf, Germany.
Dr. Thiel’s lecture drew people from surrounding areas. We welcome you to
visit the multiple pieces of 18th century Meissen porcelain on exhibit at The
Maridon.
Continued on page 3
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Introduction to the porcelain………………..
Chinese and Japanese porcelains were highly esteemed in 17th century
Europe, and although they were imported in ever-increasing quantities
throughout the century, Europeans did not know the ingredients necessary
for the production of true porcelain, commonly known as hard-paste
porcelain.
However, in 1709 an alchemist named Johann Friedrich Bottger, while
employed (imprisoned) by Augustus the Strong the elector of Saxony,
discovered the materials required to produce a white, translucent, highthe entire European ceramic industry. In 1712 the renowned Meissen
Porcelain Manufactory began. Initially it produced white porcelain in the
Chinese style, but the factory employed two notable artists who were
developed the brilliant glaze colors that characterize Meissen. The other
was Johann Joachim Kaendler, a master sculptor and mold-maker. Under
that would make the Meissen name legendary.
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The Maridon Loses a Longtime Volunteer and Friend
Donna Reeder
(1944-2014)
Donna entered a room with a winning smile, bright blue twinkling eyes
and an eagerness to work on the project – any project. The Maridon
celebrated its 10th anniversary this past year and Donna was with us
from the beginning as first, a friend and colleague of our founder, Mary
Hulton Phillips, then as one of our docents who evolved into the role of
a giving volunteer spending many hours working with us on a variety of
projects.
Donna was known for giving her time to so many others in the community as a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Soroptimist Club,
Butler Intermediate League, and PASR. She also served as a past board
member of the YWCA, past president of Distinguished Young Women
of Butler and was first vice president of General Federation of Women’s
Clubs for Pennsylvania. Add to all of this a career for 37 years as a
Butler Elementary School teacher. And yet, Donna always seemed to
have time for The Maridon.
Last, but certainly not least, she played many roles in her family as a
daughter, a wife, a mother, an aunt and a niece. We are honored that
Donna chose to share her time and friendship with us during her very
busy schedule of a life certainly well-lived.
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WILLIAM SMITH
(1936-2014)
Audrey F. Whitstone
(1933-2015)
William (Bill) Smith, a man of
integrity with a zest for knowledge,
a gentle spirit, and a gift for sharing
describe our friend, William (Bill)
Smith. You may have met him
here during our annual Treasure or
Trinket antique appraisal event.
Bill and his wife Cynthia have
volunteered to share their time,
knowledge and expertise for our
annual event every year. They
have been part of our Maridon
family of volunteers and friends for
many years and Bill will be sadly
missed by all.
Audrey Whitstone: A collector’s
collector, an artist in her own right,
an avid supporter of arts and
culture and our friend. Audrey
supported our programs, lectures,
films etc., and introduced new
visitors to our museum. She also
belonged to and was a strong
supporter of the Associated Artists
of Butler.
We were always greeted by
Audrey’s winning smile and her
zest for, and appreciation of, our
offerings to the Butler community.
One time she came dressed as a
cowgirl to one of our films because
she was going to a Halloween
party afterward. Such fun for
everyone! Her enthusiasm for our
new programs and exhibits was
rewarding for all of us and she will
be sadly missed.
Audrey ‘s legacy lives on in her
family and friends and all those
whose lives she touched along her
way.
Bill and Cynthia have been familiar
faces at many antique shows and
proprietors of the Antique Store on
Main Street, in downtown Butler,
PA. for many years.
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“This existence of ours is as
transient as autum clouds. To
watch the birth and death of
being is like looking at the
movements of a dance. A
lifetime is like a flash of
lightening in the sky. Rushing
by, like a torrent down a steep
mountain.”
-Buddha
Dick Rittlemann
1938-2015
We had the honor of meeting Dick
and Jane Rittlemann when they so
generously donated their time, talent
and professionalism to design and
hang our Ran-In-Ting Exhibit in 2014.
Although our association with Dick
was brief, our lives were enriched by
his sharing highlights of his life with
us, his wonderful humor and his kind
and generous nature.
Prospero’s Farwell
Our revels now are ended.
These our actors, As I foretold
you, were all spirits and Are
melted into air, into thin air;
And, like the baseless fabric of
this vision, The cloud-capp'd
towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great
globe itself, Yea, all which it
inherit, shall dissolve And, like
this insubstantial pageant
faded, Leave not a rack
behind. We are such stuff As
dreams are made on, and our
little life Is rounded with a
sleep.
We found Dick to be a man of many
talents, brilliance and generosity.
Dick’s passing (May 10, 2015) is a
loss to our community and left us
with a sense of personal and
professional loss.
William Shakespeare From The Tempest, Act 4 Scene 1
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Giving to The Maridon
All gifts, large or small, have an impact when they are collectively pooled with the
gifts of the hundreds of others who support our mission. A gift of $100 or higher
qualifies you for membership in our Circle of the Dragon Giving Club.
Your gift is an investment and commitment to the future and mission of the
Maridon Museum.
To make a donation to the Maridon, please complete the coupon below and
mail it to:
Maridon Museum
322 North McKean Street
Butler, PA 16001
CUT HERE
Yes! I want to support the Maridon Museum.
Enclosed is my tax-deductible gift of:
[ ] $50 [ ] $100 [ ] $250 [ ] $500 [ ] Other $____________
Name__________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________
Phone___________________________________________________________
[ ] In Memory
of_____________________________________________________
[ ] In Honor
of_______________________________________________________
Please send notification of my gift to:
Name___________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________
City_____________________State_______Zip_________________________
Please make checks payable to: Maridon Museum
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Dr. Sinopoli's, Spring 2015, Technical Writing Class,
Butler County Community College.
boiling
Augustus
James Manning
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Sara Bowser
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Taylor Hochbein
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quartz
William DeCarbo
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Andrew Niederriter
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The Maridon’s redesigned Jeep
for the
2015 “Jeep Invasion” Festival.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming Series
Collectors, Travel Log, & Japanese Film!
Dates and Times TBA.
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Mary Hulton Phillips
Dennis Keyes
The Maridon is now distinguished with a painting of our founder, Mary Hulton Phillips, a
gracious gift of Dr. Dennis Keyes, member of the museum’s Board of Trustees.
As a full time practicing dentist, Dennis Keyes used clinical photography to document
many of his restorative and cosmetic cases. He turned his camera to the world around him
in 2006. Keyes is self-taught in photography and in the many digital art techniques he
employs. His works of photography capture reality and many of his works reflect an altered
reality originating from his skills at creating artistic interpretations, which he calls “photopainting.”
For example, a beautiful Italian street scene degraded by trash cans, satellite dishes, traffic
signs, construction barriers, etc. can be transformed into a more idyllic presentation by
Keyes using digital paint brushes to obscure the undesirable elements and painting in what
was being blocked. All of the pixels in the entire image are “dragged” with a digital
paintbrush on a tablet creating the look of a painting. The image is then painted on
canvas and over-painted with acrylic. The Maridon Museum’s portrait of Mary Hulton
Philips was based on a thumbnail sized digital image. Her portrait was created with a
digital paintbrush and tablet. Mary was placed in a Chinese garden that Keyes had
photographed at Tiger Hill in China. Her first piece of Chinese art, “Wisteria Maiden,” is
also featured in this photopainting.
Keyes uses a similar technique to produce watercolors on watercolor paper and he has
recently begun printing on aluminum, which imparts an almost magical luminosity to the
finished work.
Keyes has been selected twice to compete at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, MI. ArtPrize is the
5th largest international art competition in the world with 1,600 artists chosen from 150
countries and all 50 states. He has images included as a permanent installation at the
International Dark Sky Park at the Headlands near Mackinac City, MI.
His work can be found in corporate boardrooms, private collections, and in many magazines. Examples of his works can be seen at the new emergency department at Armstrong
County Memorial Hospital and the Red Brick Gallery in Foxburg, PA.
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CELEBRATION: KOREAN WEEK
The Maridon Museum was pleased to work with representatives of the
Korean Community for our first Korean Week Celebration held September
2014. Dr. Betty Anderson, a member of the museum’s Education Committee
and a docent of The Maridon spearheaded this most successful project.
An introductory lecture to open the celebration was presented by Professor
Kang-Yup Na, of Westminister College. Dr. Na was raised partly in Korea
and moved to Tennessee when he was 10.
The three-day program culminated with the presentation of the book, “Love
Beyond Measure: Memoirs of a Korean War Bride,” by Katie Schell. The
book is about Schell’s mother Pega Crimbchin reflecting Pega’s early life and
survival in war-shattered Korea. Pega accompanied Katie and spoke briefly
during the presentation. Pega is part of the small Korean community
(approximately 215) in Butler County.
Actual photographs and music drew our audience back in time to sense the
reality of the terror and tragedy experienced by so many innocents during that
time. A book signing followed with 10 percent of the proceeds from book
sales and 100 percent of free will donations going to “Women of the Wells,”
a nonprofit that drills wells in water-impoverished countries. At the time of
our program it was reported that five wells had been paid for in Nigeria, Laos,
Liberia and Cambodia.
Our celebration was brought to a close with words from Reverend Jae S. Rim
of the Church of the Living Waters and music from members of their choir.
We are grateful for: The authentic Korean Cuisine prepared for visitors,
Korean artifacts loaned for exhibit, visitor’s names translated in Hangul as
keepsakes, music and singing presented to entertain, our Collections Committee who designed the exhibit, our docents who provided valued history and
support, our visitors, and of course, our sponsors who helped to make our
dreams come true.
We give special recognition to: Dr. Betty Anderson, Rita Brown, Sunji
Campbell, Pega Crimbchin, Susan Ferrandiz, Carole Fruestorfer, Suk Ja Lee,
Anne Miller, Dr. Kang-Yup Na, Jo Dublin-Poknam, Reverend Jae S. Rim, Katie
Shell, Cynthia Sweeney, Sharon Sykora, and choir members from the Church
of the Living Waters.
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Year of the Goat
1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
People born in a year of the Goat are generally believed to be gentle mildmannered, shy, stable, sympathetic, amicable, and brimming with a strong sense
of kindheartedness and justice.
They have very delicate thoughts, strong creativity, and perseverance, and
acquire professional skills well. Although they look gentle on the surface, they
are tough on the inside, always insisting on their own opinions in their minds.
They have strong inner resilience and excellent defensive instincts.
Though they prefer to be in groups, they do not want to be the center of attention. They are reserved and quiet, most likely because
they like spending much time in their thoughts. Goats
like to spend money on fashionable things that
give them a first class appearance. Although
goats enjoy spending money on the finer
things in life, they are not snobbish.
Good career choices for goats are
pediatrician, actor, daycare teacher,
interior designer, florist, hair stylist,
musician, editor, illustrator, and art history
teacher.
Generally speaking, Goats are private.
Therefore it may take time and effort to
get to know those who are born in a year
of the Goat. Goats seldom share their
personal lives. This is the reason why most
Goats have few intimate friends. Once they
become friends, their friendship is peaceful and
fulfilling. They work hard for those they love.
• Lucky numbers: 2, 7, or numbers containing 2 and 7 (like 27
and 72)
• Lucky days: the 7th and 30th of any month according to the
Chinese lunar calendar
• Lucky colors: brown, red, and purple
• Lucky flowers: carnations and primroses
• Lucky direction: north
818
Not Yet a Maridon Member?
There are so many reasons to join:
-Support a unique museum in the Mid-Atlantic region dedicated to
connecting Eastern and Western cultures.
-Free admission to the museum and enjoy gift shop discounts
-Invitations to opening receptions for exhibitions and
other members-only events.
The Gift Shop at the Maridon Museum
Need a gift for the upcoming holidays, a birthday, anniversary, or just
because? Then stop by the gift shop at The Maridon Museum for
unique items for all ages. We offer jewelry, figurines, children’s books,
teapot sets, and much more. Remember, members receive a 10%
discount on all purchases. Thank you for shopping with us!
The Maridon Museum was a gift to our community by Mrs.
Mary Hulton Phillips. The museum evolved from Mrs. Phillips’ wish to
share the beauty of her collection with others in her community but has
had the far reaching effect of drawing visitors from around the world.
The museum is asking for your support of the continuing operation of
what has been called a cultural “gem” in Butler. Please mail your contribution to: The Maridon Museum, 322 N. McKean St., Butler PA 16001.
The Maridon is open Wednesday-Saturday from 11AM to 4PM.
Remember members receive a 10% discount
in The Maridon Gift shop.
Call or Email us to get information on how
to become a member today.
724.282.0123
info@maridon.org
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