KSUM exhibition
OSCAR DE LA RENTA: AMERICAN ELEGANCE
Broadbent Gallery | Jean L. Druesedow, Director From the moment he discovered his passion and talent for fashion design, Oscar de la Renta created elegant day and evening wear for discerning women. He has never lost sight of the woman who will ultimately wear his creations or her lifestyle, …
FIGURED AND FANCY COVERLETS IN THE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM COLLECTION
East Gallery | Jean L. Druesedow, Director By the second quarter of the nineteenth century, handwoven wool and cotton coverlets kept many Americans warm at night and brightened the beds of the young nation with bold, colorful designs. Often in shades of red, white and blue, utilizing patriot…
CRAZY QUILTS IN THE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM COLLECTION
Stager Gallery | Jean L. Druesedow, Director Directions for making crazy quilts first appeared in ladies' magazines in 1882. They were the first style of quilt for which commercial patterns were widely available. Kits cold be purchased containing a variety of silk fabrics and embroidery thre…
OBJECT LESSONS: AUTHENTICITY IN AFRICAN ART
Palmer and Mull Galleries | Fred Smith & Jordan Fenton, Guest Curators Establishing authenticity for African art objects has been a concern of academics, museum curators, collectors and gallery dealers for more than fifty years. The continuing scholarly fascination was reflected in the 1…
SLEUTHING AT THE SEAMS: A 1750S BLUE AND SILVER DRESS
Alumni Gallery | Jean L. Druesedow, Director On February 25, 1978, Shannon Rodgers purchased a "blue silk robe and petticoat brocaded in silver, English, 1750," from Cora Ginsburg Antique Textiles in New York City. At the time, the dress was configured in a style approximating the 1770s, alt…
PIECED QUILTS AND COMFORTERS IN THE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM COLLECTION
Stager Gallery | Jean L. Druesedow, Director Perhaps nothing symbolizes the artistry, industry and affectionate nature of women as much as the quilts and comforters they make for their families and friends. Over centuries, through effort and fine needlework, women have given expression to th…
HAIR: THE RISE OF INDIVIDUALITY, 1790-1840
Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, in Lancaster, Ohio | Dr. Anne Bissonnette, Curator Split between nature, culture and sculpture, hair is a multifaceted topic and a medium of expression that is often overlooked. It can speak loudly and it did when, at the end of the 18th century, democratic id…
THE AGE OF NUDITY
Higbee Gallery | Dr. Anne Bissonnette, Curator We live in an era where less is more and informality is the norm. Although we might think that very little can shock us, fashion has a way of continually make us reassess our standards of propriety. The clothes we wear are part of an infinitely …
SPIRALS & ELLIPSES: CLOTHING THE BODY THREE-DIMENSIONALLY
Mull and Palmer Galleries | Anne Bissonnette, Curator Curvilinear, pliable and changing while in motion, the human body is a never ending design challenge to individuals who aim to clothe it. To cover with cloth (a.k.a. clothing) has long meant the use of what is essentially a two-dimensiona…
CHADO RALPH RUCCI
Broadbent Gallery | Anne Bissonnette, Curator Passion, creativity and craftsmanship merge in the hands of Ralph Rucci. For over two decades, Mr. Rucci has lived for his craft and has developed an exceptional body of work. He is an original known for his innovative approaches to cut and const…
