Native American Art, Social Realist Exhibitions Coming to Colorado State University’s Hatton Gallery this Fall

Note to Editors: Media are invited to preview exhibitions at the Hatton Gallery. Please call Brad Bohlander at (970) 491-1545 to make a preview appointment.

Colorado State University’s Hatton Gallery in the Visual Arts Building presents several exhibits this fall featuring Native American art and works by three Social Realists.

"Native American Art from the Orman Collection," a selection of American Indian artifacts such as ceramic pots, leather and beaded clothing, blankets, weavings and basketry, will show at the gallery from Sept. 7-Oct. 8. An opening reception will run from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 7 at the gallery and is open to the public.

In 1964, Pueblo, Colo., resident Fred Orman Jr. donated his personal collection of American Indian artifacts to the University of Southern Colorado (now Colorado State University-Pueblo). The collection, comprised of about 250 individual objects, includes ceramic pots from pueblos in New Mexico, leather and beaded clothing from the southern plains, Navaho blankets and weavings from the Rio Grande region and basketry representing various styles and techniques of the Southwest.

Orman apparently collected the majority of  these artifacts during his travels through southern Colorado and northern New Mexico during the 1920s and 1930s. However, some of the unique artifacts may have been inherited by Orman from his grandfather, James B. Orman, who acquired them during his tenure as governor of Colorado from 1901-03.

The exhibit is part of an exchange with the art department at Colorado State’s sister institution, Colorado State University-Pueblo.

"Lifting the Rose Colored Glasses: Three Social Realists," featuring prints and drawings by three of the most important Social Realists who worked in the genre, will run from Oct. 18-Nov. 19 at the gallery, with an opening reception, open to the public, scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 18.

American art during the late 1920s and 1930s was marked by the American Scene movement. Two distinct tendencies were part of this movement – Regionalism and Social Realism. The Social Realists were interested in the period’s social problems and presented commonly shared experiences, especially those of the urban poor and working classes.

The exhibit at the Hatton Gallery features prints and drawings by three influential Social Realists – Ben Shahn, Raphael Soyer and William Gropper. Each created an individual style within the boundaries of Social Realism.

This exhibition is circulated by Blair-Murrah Exhibitions.

In addition to the exhibits, a "Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition" runs from Dec. 3, 2004, to Jan. 7, 2005, with a public opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 3.

Hatton Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays. All exhibits and events are free and open to the public.

For more details on upcoming exhibits at the Hatton Gallery, visit the Web at http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Art/ or call 491-1989.

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