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BACKUS MUSEUM CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
The work being done at the A.E. Backus Gallery & Museum
will inform generations to come about the people and events
that have shaped our community.
As the museum celebrates its 50th season, it is an organization
that has changed significantly over the years. Most
important has been its transition from a modest community
gallery to a full-scale art museum. The transition was a longtime
goal of the board of directors, realized as the museum
built a significant permanent collection of more than 100
works by eminent landscape artist A.E. Backus and by the
African-American Highwaymen, as well as works by some of
the most noteworthy Indian River School Artists.
“The cultural, artistic and environmental heritage of our region
is represented in the museum’s distinguished permanent
collection,” said Kathleen Frederick, the museum’s director.
“Each work of art has a powerful story to tell, and each represents
a part of our region’s past, present and even our future.”
When the museum opened its doors in 1960, it was known
as the Fort Pierce Art Gallery, its purpose to show the work
of local artists. Today, the museum continues to support local
art, but it has expanded to include artists from across Florida
and around the country. The Backus has presented important
nationally touring exhibitions including an Ansel Adams
photography show and a National Geographic exhibition. Its
significant permanent collection, though, defines the Backus
as a true museum and positions it as a valuable resource for
the entire region.
The museum encourages visitors to explore the permanent
collection as well as the changing exhibitions. They all
offer inspiration, education and enjoyment. Last year
alone, the Backus hosted more than 28,000 visitors who
came from 36 states and 11 countries. Additionally, school
field trips brought hundreds of children from as far away as
Clermont and Indiantown. This year the museum will reinstall
the permanent collection to give it more prominence.
The new layout will also make room for recent additions to
the collection.
The Backus opened its new season on Sept. 26. The season’s
opening exhibition is Homage to Impressionism. The
2009-2010 Season will include the annual juried art and
photography shows, A Tribute to A.E. Backus, the Florida
Highwaymen show and a festival, along with several other
exhibitions.
New this year is an invitational exhibition called Through
Women’s Eyes – By Women’s Hands. The show promises an
outstanding lineup of talented women who employ a wide
array of media including painting, photography and sculpture.
The museum will also host Art in Bloom, a three-day
celebration in January. This special event will feature flower
arrangements from florists from around the Treasure Coast, inspired
by and placed alongside paintings, sculpture and other
decorative art objects. The events will include a preview
cocktail party on a Friday night, a luncheon and demonstrations
on Saturday and Family Day activities on Sunday.
For more information, call the museum at (772) 465-0630
or visit backusmuseum.com. The Backus is at 500 N. Indian
River Drive in Fort Pierce. >>
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