Read more… - Stark Cultural Venues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Annmarie Ventura, Educator, Studio and Outreach Programs
Stark Museum of Art
409.886.2787 ext 3028
aventura@starkmuseum.org
Katherine Barry, Assistant Collections Manager
Stark Museum of Art
409.886.2787 ext 3015
kbarry@starkmuseum.org
Lynae Sanford, Marketing Manager
409.221.6667
lsanford@starkfoundation.org
Ruth Robinson Murphy (1900 – 1984), Various Eggheads, c.1960, hollow
eggshell with applied pencil, watercolor, yarn, metal, and cloth, mounted on foam
base, 3.25 inches, Stark Museum of Art, Orange, TX
New Exhibition Invites Public to “Join” the
COLLECTING CONVERSATIONS at Stark Museum of Art
(ORANGE, TX) 1 Family, 3 Generations, Timeless Treasures…The Stark Museum of Art
presents COLLECTING CONVERSATIONS, a new exhibition, opening August 6, 2016, that
invites the public to connect with the Collection of the Stark and Lutcher family in unique and
interesting ways.
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Everyone collects something. People buy keepsakes to remind them of their travels. They keep
treasures to pass down through their families. Some seek objects that can teach them about the
world. Others collect items that are valuable, beautiful, rare, or quirky. Such “stuff” tells stories,
sometimes about the objects, sometimes about the collector and often about both.
The Starks and the Lutchers of Orange, Texas collected “stuff” just like other families, obtaining
many types of objects for a variety of reasons. Although known for collecting fine art and rare
books, they also collected objects that reflected who they were as people. COLLECTING
CONVERSATIONS explores objects the family collected for beauty, history, knowledge, and
simply, self-expression. This exhibition encourages Museum guests to follow the collecting styles
of three generations of one family and allow this experience to prompt them to think about what
they collect and why they collect it. The public is invited to “join the conversation” and consider
what stories their “stuff” tells.
Upon arriving at the Stark Museum of Art, guests will be met in the lobby by three beautifully
restored automobiles: a 1922 Ford Model T Runabout Truck, and a 1911 Hupp Motor Car
Company Roadster, Hupmobile, both used by the Stark family on their ranch in Colorado, as
well as a 1950 Crosley Super Sport, owned by H.J. Lutcher Stark.
The exhibition includes items collected by Frances Ann Robinson Lutcher, (1841-1924) Miriam
Melissa Lutcher Stark, (1859-1936) and by Henry Jacob Lutcher Stark (1887-1965). Included are
a silver pitcher, a bronze sculpture, brilliant cut glass, china, pottery, Navajo weavings, jewelry,
paintings, and rare books.
A closer look reveals insight into H.J. Lutcher Stark’s collecting methods through a group of
Hennings paintings, and Miriam’s interest in lace, as well as brilliant cut glass by T.G. Hawkes
and Pairpoint Manufacturing.
Also on view are rare books of historic and intellectual importance by John Milton, Charlotte
Bronte and John James Audubon. Guests may enjoy getting to know the “purse-onality” of the
female family members with a look at their beautiful and decorative purses and all are likely to
appreciate the display of 134 fun and quirky blown eggs, decorated to resemble famous historical
figures!
The exhibition also features two loaned books from the Miriam Lutcher Stark Library, Harry
Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin: A first edition King James Bible and Mr.
William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true
originall copies.
Additionally, COLLECTING CONVERSATIONS allows the public to get to know the Lutcher
and Stark family in a new and personal way in a special hallway exhibition, Treasures &
Trinkets: Collections from the Archive, featuring items that belonged to family members that
have never been exhibited before. These items help tell stories about the history of the family, the
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community, and even the nation. Included are such objects as Lutcher Stark’s notepads, a
collection of his favorite number, “13” and gardening notes regarding Shangri La Gardens.
Also included are items from Lutch’s Boys, Bengal Lancers, and the Bengal Guards, all student
organizations founded by Mr. Stark. Family Bibles, travel souvenirs, postcards, automotive items,
University of Texas memorabilia and memories of Miriam Stark’s participation in the area
Shakespeare Club fill the hallway cases. Lutcher’s grandfather, John T. Stark carried a diary
notebook as a Civil War soldier and this, along with his father’s pistols, are featured in the
hallway as well.
Admission to the Stark Museum of Art is currently free until September 3, 2016, as part of a free
summer admission program for Stark Museum of Art and Shangri La Gardens.
Stark Museum of Art is located at 712 Green Avenue in Orange, Texas, and is open Tuesday –
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit starkmuseum.org.
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About the Stark Museum of Art
The Museum houses one of the nation’s most significant collections of American Western art and
is located in the heart of downtown historic Orange, Texas. Paintings, sculpture, prints and rare
books interpret the West from 19th century frontier artists to the 20th century artistic colonies in
New Mexico and focus on the stunning land, dramatic people and diverse wildlife of the
American West. The Museum features artists such as Frederic Remington, John James Audubon,
John Mix Stanley, and Charles Marion Russell. Also featured is a significant collection of
American Indian objects, including baskets, pottery, clothing and jewelry.
The Museum is a program of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, a private operating
foundation that aims to encourage and assist education and to improve and enrich the quality of
life in Southeast Texas by providing significant resources for the study and enjoyment of art,
history, nature and culture.
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