Founded in 1919 by Joseph G. Butler, Jr., The Butler Institute of American Art is the first museum of American art. The original structure is a McKim, Mead and White architectural masterpiece listed on the National Register of Historic places. Known worldwide as “America’s Museum”, the museum’s collection totals over 20,000 pieces in all media, and spans four centuries of work. Plan a visit!
EXHIBITIONS
Steranko and The American Hero
March 13-May 29, 2022
Exhibition Reception: April 9, 6-8pm (must purchase tickets to attend)
The Butler Institute of American Art is proud to announce the Premiere Exhibition of more than 60 select paintings visualizing the most popular and prominent heroes dominating the current international entertainment scene. Across all mediums, from the cinema to comics, Steranko was cited by Stan Lee as one of the prime architects of the Marvel Universe; the co-creator of NICK FURY, AGENT OF S.H.I.E.L.D.; and the artist-writer of CAPTAIN AMERICA, THE HULK, SUPERMAN, and THE X-MEN (for which he designed the classic title logo). He generated more than 150 original storytelling devices and techniques that changed the direction of the comics’ medium, and evolved a devoted cult of followers who nicknamed him The Innovator. Learn more
Selections from the Private Collection of David M. and Cecile Draime
April 3-August 7, 2022
Opening Reception: April 3, 1-3pm
The Butler is excited and proud to present an exhibition of the celebrated private collection of David M. and Cecil Draime. So many of the most important names in the history of modern art are included. Picasso, Matisse, Soulages, Baziotes, Munch, Moore, Chagall, Modiglini, Peto, Rivers, and Botero are a segment of this impressive collection. Mr. Draime was a long-time trustee of the Butler Institute and was instrumental in the acquisition of such Butler works for the permanent collection as Louise Nevelson’s Night Garden Wall, Lyonel Feininger’s Powdertower, Clement Meadmore’s Upbeat, Audrey Flack’s Davey Moore and Don Gummer’s monumental sculpture Primary Compass. Learn more
86th National Midyear Exhibition 2022
June 19-August 14, 2022
Opening Reception & Awards: June 19, 1-3pm
This annual juried show exhibits the artworks of adult artists from throughout the fifty United States and its territories. The exhibition includes accepted works in all two-dimensional media, including oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, drawings, prints, photographs, and digital. William Underwood Eiland, Director of the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia, will be the juror for the 86th National Midyear Exhibition. Learn more
VIRTUAL EXHIBITIONS
Pastel Society of America 2020: Enduring Brilliance
This exhibition, drawn from The Pastel Society of America’s annual fall exhibition, features works by some of the nation’s premier pastel painters. The Pastel Society of America (PSA) is the oldest organization of its kind in the nation. A primary mandate of the PSA is to provide a forum for the exhibition of works by the most accomplished pastel artists in the United States and abroad. Since 1972, the PSA Annual Exhibition: Enduring Brilliance!, held at the National Arts club in New York City, has been the premier event for pastel artists worldwide. Learn more