New art deco exhibit at Wichita Art Museum inspires related events and exhibitions
A new exhibition that looks at the wildly popular art deco movement that marked a historical shift in culture and society between the two world wars is opening at the Wichita Art Museum on Feb. 12.
The traveling exhibition, “American Art Deco: Designing for the People, 1918-1939,” does more than showcase the artwork and now-familiar designs of that time. Through about 140 items that also include clothing, furniture, glassware and even hood ornaments, the exhibition highlights the glamour and optimism of the 1920s and the impact of the Great Depression in the 1930s.
“It’s all sorts of super cool stuff,” said Patricia McDonnell, WAM’s director, who is a big fan of the era.
“American Art Deco” will remain at WAM until May 29 and is a specially ticketed exhibition not included as part of the museum’s general admission prices or its free Saturdays.
The touring exhibition was co-organized by the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, and curated by Catherine Futter, who had been with the Nelson-Atkins for 18 years and is now a senior curator of decorative arts with New York City’s Brooklyn Museum.
The art deco movement happened in the period between the two world wars, marking a time for considerable social, political and cultural change. Cars became an important part of the culture, the term nightclub was coined, speakeasies offering dancing and prohibited alcohol became a form of escapism, manufacturing capabilities ramped up, and there was even some social progress for women and people of color.
Much of the “vibrancy, buoyancy and effervescence” of the Roaring 1920s gave way to a more dismal time of the Great Depression, but many hallmarks of the style remained through the 1930s, McDonnell said.
Art deco is seeing a bit of a resurgence. “Art deco-inspired styles are in vogue again,” noted McDonnell.
“While we are navigating a global pandemic, to reach back to a time that was more carefree — or at least memories of it are that it was more carefree — can be solace,” she said.
WAM has five pieces in the show, including an 18-inch presentation model of the Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, sculpture that tops the art deco Chicago Board of Trade building. WAM will incorporate imagery of that building to showcase the small model. The iconic John H. Storrs-created sculpture sitting atop the building is far larger: standing about 30 feet tall.
Along with the building mural, museum staff are also creating other aspects that will help showcase the exhibition’s works, such as art deco-inspired pedestals and stencil designs.
“It’ll be one of the more spectacular designs during my tenure,” said McDonnell, who after nearly 10 years at the helm of WAM will retire April 1.
The traveling exhibition also has inspired smaller, complementary exhibitions at both WAM and the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum.
“Putting on the Glitz: Art Deco Fashion,” which opened Jan. 8 at WAM and closes May 8, combines clothing from the era along with prints and paintings of fashionable women on the town. The items were drawn from both the WAM and historical museum collections.
Among the items on loan from the historical museum are flapper dresses and two velvet evening gowns, including one that belonged to Mary Pearl Allen Murdock, whose husband, Victor, was a politician and the son of pioneer journalist Marshall Murdock. The other evening gown, purchased in Chicago by a Wichita woman for her wedding trousseau, is “very glitzy,” said Jami Frazier Tracy, curator of collections for the historical museum.
For its related exhibition, the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main, pulled out even more clothes from its collections closet to showcase. Several of the items in “Art Deco on the Plains” have connections to Wichita, such as a sweater sold at the Innes department store. Along with glamorous gowns, the exhibit will include other clothing, like sportswear and afternoon wear, including swimming suits and shoes.
“Art Deco on the Plains” opens Feb. 12, the same date as WAM’s traveling exhibition, and continues until at least October. Regular historical museum admission prices apply, with free admission on Sundays.
Special events related to the art deco-inspired exhibitions are:
“American Art Deco” opening day events at WAM, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. The event will include a brass band, dance demonstrations and lessons by the Wichita Swing Society and a 1:30 p.m. travelogue talk by architect Dean Bradley and art photographer Larry Schwarm about art deco architecture in Wichita. Some prominent local art deco buildings include the current home of the Kansas Aviation Museum and the U.S. Courthouse. While WAM’s original building was considered an art deco gem, the building was sheathed and incorporated into the current WAM facility so very little remains of that style.
Art history talk on Harlem Renaissance artist and Topeka native Aaron Douglas and writer James Weldon Johnson, 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at WAM. The Harlem Renaissance period coincided with the art deco movement. Free to attend in person; lecture will be recorded and shown later on WAM’s YouTube channel.
Guided docent tour of the “American Art Deco” exhibition, 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27. Admission is $15, free for WAM members.
Senior Wednesday lecture: “Art Deco on the Plains,” 10 a.m. March 23, Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum. Museum director Eric Cale and collections curator Jami Frazier Tracy will talk about what was happening locally during the art deco period. The lecture will be shown on screen in the museum auditorium, followed by a tour of the exhibition of the same name. Admission is $2; make required reservations through 316-265-9314 or tours@wichitahistory.org
Artist talk: “Art Deco and Its Life in Lettering,” 6 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at WAM, featuring graphic artist and recently retired longtime Wichita State professor Jim Hellman on the typography and illustration styles of the period.
“American art Deco: Designing for the people, 1918-1939” exhibit at WAM
What: a visiting exhibition that looks at art deco, the widely popular architecture and design movement, during a historical time for society. An opening day event (Feb. 12), lectures and smaller related exhibitions, both at the Wichita Art Museum and the Wichita Sedgwick County Historical Museum, will coincide with the exhibit.
Where: Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd.
When: Feb. 12-May 29, museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; closed Mondays
Tickets: Tuesday-Friday and Sunday admission is $15, $10 for ages 60 and older, $3 for college students with ID and youth ages 5-17, and free for children under 5 and WAM members; Saturday admission is $10 all adults, $3 for college students with ID and youth ages 5-17, and free for children under 5 and WAM members. Tickets for the “American Art Deco” exhibit include all WAM exhibitions.
More info: wichitaartmuseum.org or 316-268-4921
This story was originally published February 6, 2022 at 3:17 AM.