Past: PICNIC: Lett-Haines | George Ohr & More

The nucleus of the exhibit centers around a rare collection of sculptural works by British artist Arthur Lett-Haines (1894-1978) and a select grouping of pottery by American master George E. Ohr (1857-1918). Picnic will have an opening reception on July 13 from 6:00-800pm and run through the summer until September 17.

Lett-Haines was an English painter and sculptor who, along with his lifelong partner, Cedric Morris, co-founded the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing (also known as Benton End), whose students included Lucian Freud, David Carr, and Maggi Hambling. Lett-Haines was known as the "father and facilitator" of the school, and along with numerous tasks between critiquing student works and administrating, he prepared two meals a day. In the early 1960s, he started creating small personal sculptures ("humbles"), which he assembled from food waste like animal bones, fruit skins, and plant matter. Then he combined these with other found materials like tobacco tins and aluminum flashing to create odd, quirky, fantastic creatures and objet.

As we have Lett-Hanes for the picnic "meal," George E. Ohr sets the "table." Ohr, widely known as the "Mad Potter of Biloxi," was a remarkable artist whose innovative pottery approach challenged his time's conventions. His journey as an artist eventually led him to become the most influential figure in American ceramics. Ohr's artistic legacy extends far beyond his pottery—his daring and unorthodox approach to art continues to inspire contemporary artists. Among George Ohr's works are a couple of his desirable snake mugs, a bisque-fired pot with reference to the New Orleans newspaper, The Times-Democrat, and a rare and unusual match holder featuring the figure of a Brownie.

In addition to the core of the exhibition centered around Lett-Haines and Ohr, the theme of 'picnic' is complemented with additional works by Jack Youngerman, Nellie Mae Rowe, Ralph Albert Blakelock, Sanford Wurmfeld, R. E. Treubel, and a large selection of related paintings and sculpture by artists known and unknown.