Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum exhibit to feature rare works of modern art in holiday form
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN TEMPLE
A new exhibit focusing on modern art and Christmas cards is on display at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum through New Year’s Eve.
Seasons Greetings: Holiday Cards by Celebrated Artists features cards from the Monroe Wheeler Archive. Wheeler served as director of exhibitions and publications at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) from 1939 to 1967.
During the 1940s and 50s, he corresponded with artists whose works he selected for reproduction as original MoMA cards and prints. Those artists included Alexander Calder, Bruno Munari, Ben Shahn, Francisco Otta, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall and Saul Steinburg.
As a gesture of friendship, these artists sent beautifully and intricately designed holiday greetings that he cherished and kept.
“We will have about 43 cards on display during November and December,” said Angela Martin, curator for the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum. “ Season’s Greetings features 31 framed and 12 unframed cards selected from over 150 handmade art objects and limited printings that were sent to Wheeler. Many were never-before-seen works.”
“Many of these works of art were created by the movers and shakers of the modern art movement,” Martin said. “Many of the cards contain original works and privately circulated lithographs.”
Beginning Nov. 1, Season’s Greetings can be viewed with regular admission to the museum. Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For additional information, visit www.rrhm.org or call (254) 298-5172.
