Brauer Museum of Art at Valpo Announces Winter 2015 Exhibitions

Opening Reception is Jan. 9

Valparaiso University’s Brauer Museum of Art continues to grow its permanent collection with major acquisitions from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. These, along with prints, sculptures, paintings and other works from artists from around the world, comprise an exciting 2015 winter exhibition season, which kicks off with an opening reception Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

The Brauer Museum’s winter exhibitions, on view from Jan. 9 through April 5, include “Inner Visions: Sacred Plants, Art, and Spirituality,” curated by Luis Eduardo Luna in the Wehling and McGill Galleries; “Ernő Koch: Everything is Possible (only how to do?)” in the Education Room and West Gallery; and “Birds Sang at Night: An Installation by Maral Hashemi” in the small Ferguson Gallery.

“Inner Visions: Sacred Plants, Art and Spirituality,” curated by Luis Eduardo Luna, explores through works of art the complex and enigmatic topic of ritual use of sacred plants to achieve visionary states and thus commune with spirit worlds that form the basis of various belief systems and religions indigenous to South America. A free full color catalog accompanies the exhibition, and a symposium related to the exhibition featuring major scholars takes place on March 25.

The Brauer’s West Gallery and Education Room present “Erno Koch: Everything is Possible (only how to do?).” On display are remarkable color woodcuts, etchings, sculptures and other works organized in cooperation with the artist’s estate. The works by Koch treat a variety of subjects, some Christian in nature.

In the small Ferguson Gallery, on display is “Birds Sang at Night: An Installation by Maral Hashemi.” Contemporary Chicago artist Maral Hashemi combines video and textiles in an installation that deals poetically with her personal heritage and favorite themes.

In April, the Brauer Museum will display original artwork by Valpo students in the Wehling and McGill Galleries. Additionally, Valpo students will curate an exhibition of Greek and Roman tablets from the permanent collection in the Education Room, and the Ferguson Gallery will house Andy Warhol screenprints, also from the Brauer Museum’s permanent collection.

During the spring and summer, Gallery 1212 will feature “The Preposthumous Works of Harry Brown.” The summer exhibitions, on display May 15 through Aug. 9, include selections from the permanent collection in the Wehling and McGill Galleries, new acquisitions in the West Gallery, and “Herman Gurfinkel: Hidden Northwest Indiana Legend” in the Ferguson Gallery.

Throughout the season, the Brauer Museum will host coffee hours and gallery talks with artists, curators and art collectors. In the spring, a new film/lecture series — Thursday Night Noir — offers film screenings and discussions that will explore this classic film genre. The first Noir screening takes place Jan. 22 and, like the museum and its events, is free and open to the public.

Visit valpo.edu/artmuseum for more information about the season and upcoming events.