The permanent collection presents a visual arts mecca for diverse tastes.  American, European and Asian highlights are among the treasures of internationally important works including those by French Impressionist master, Edgar Degas (1834 – 1937), English portraitist, Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769 – 1839), American painters Martin Johnson Heade (1819-1904), Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827), and Frank Duveneck (1848-1919). 

The Contemporary American Collection presents works by such important artists as Jack Youngerman, Robert Berks, Peter Reginato, Harry Jackson, N.A., and Joe Downing (1925-2007).  A special feature of this collection is a selection of Contemporary Studio Art Glass representing artists of national and international acclaim such as William Carlson, Joel Phillip Myers and Jon Kuhn.

Exhibiton

OWENSBORO ART GUILD 50TH ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION
January 21 - February 26, 2012

Opening Reception and Awards Presentation
Saturday, January 21
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Sponsored by BB&T, two exhibitions designed to showcase the past and present accomplishments of indigenous artists include the “Owensboro Art Guild’s 50th Juried Exhibition” and an invitational retrospective, “An Owensboro Perspective”.

The Guild’s adjudicated exhibition continues a tradition established in the early 1960’s when the organization for local artists was formed to advance the quality of local art and to function as an advocacy group for the visual arts in the community.

The Guild’s competition, for regional artists working in two and three dimensional media, will award merit and purchase awards of more than $3,700. Juror for the exhibition is Neil Di Teresa, Professor Emeritus of Painting and Drawing, Berea College, Berea, KY. Awards will be announced at the January 21 preview.

“An Owensboro Perspective”, a survey of artists active in Owensboro in the past 50 years, will include 50 works of art from local private and public collections. A highlight of that exhibition will be more than a dozen works from the OMFA’s permanent collection.

Some of the artists exhibited from the museum’s collection include John Medley, Rex Robinson, Oda Shouse, Ann Bruner, William T. Williams, Sr. Mary Diane Taylor, Kim Bromley, Don Lacy, Lucy MacDonald and the late painters Frederica Burlew, Lex Shipley, Jimmy Mobberly and Chris Dayman.

The exhibitions will continue through February 26 and will be open during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Thursday 10:00 to 4:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Admission to the museum is FREE although voluntary donations are suggested of $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children. Access for physically challenged individuals is provided at the Atrium entrance in the 9th Street parking lot.