Exhibitions
Therman Statom: Stories of the New World
January 10 – May 10, 2009
Stories of the New World will feature the work of Therman Statom, an African American artist and a major figure in the Studio Glass movement. Throughout his career, Statom has pushed the boundaries of his medium – challenging his audience to look at glass in new and interesting ways. His interest in studio glass began as a student in the 1970s at the Rhode Island School of Design. He studied with Dale Chihuly, who has remained a lifelong friend and mentor. In 1971, Statom participated in the inaugural season of the Pilchuck Glass School and has been known as an innovator and a force in the Studio Glass movement ever since.
Stories of the New World will be organized by Statom and the OMA and will transform 5,600 square feet of the OMA's gallery space into a visually dazzling environment of light and color. Visitors will take a journey, which will include a walk through a mirrored maze, panoramic murals, video projections, blown glass sculptures and finally end with a room-size glass building filled with art works, representing the artist’s conception of the fabled Fountain of Youth.
Jerry Pinkney: Aesop’s Fables and Other Tails
May 9 – August 16, 2009
Jerry Pinkney: Aesop’s Fables and Other Tails – the sixth installment in the OMA’s successful Art of the Picture Book Series – will feature more than 65 original watercolor illustrations by award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney. The exhibition focuses on Pinkney’s delightful portrayals of animals from such well-known Aesop’s fables as The Tortoise and the Hare, The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, and The Goose and the Golden Hen, as well as a number of favorite children’s stories including The Ugly Duckling, Rikki-Tikki Tavi, Little Red Hen and Uncle Remus Tales.
A native of Philadelphia, Pinkney attended the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts). Growing up with dyslexia, Jerry Pinkney was profoundly motivated by the power of images and their impact on picture books, often a child’s first exposure to art. He has taught and conducted workshops at universities across the country and created art for the U.S. Postal Service’s Black Heritage stamps. Since the early 1960s, he has illustrated more than 75 children’s books and received numerous awards, including five Caldecott Honor Medals and five Coretta Scott King Awards.
Family & Youth Programs
Discovery Centers
The Orlando Museum of Art’s Discovery Centers are areas with free, hands–on activities for children and families inspired by the permanent collections and exhibitions. The activities pose engaging questions about works on view and provide opportunities for interactive experiences.
Creation Station
Creation Station is a family drop-in program where children and parents work on fun projects and art activities related to the OMA’s collections and exhibitions. It is held every Thursday afternoon, when the OMA has free admission for residents of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake Counties. This hands–on program allows children the freedom to create and design art projects in a museum setting.*
*Thursday afternoon free admission may be suspended during certain events.
Events & Adult Programs
1st Thursdays
The first Thursday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m., Central Florida has an opportunity to discover local artists, listen to live music and mingle with an eclectic mix of people. In 2000, 1st Thursdays, the original first monthly art party and social event in Orlando, was launched at the Orlando Museum of Art by the Associates, a volunteer support group of the OMA.