Guest Blogger: Holly Green

At the Museum

With the arrival of the holidays, you may find yourself looking for a place to take respite from the hustle and bustle of activity that accompanies this very busy time of year. You may also be looking for ways to entertain your out-of-town guests. The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, in historic downtown Laurel, is perfect for both.

Whether you or your guests enjoy American, European or Asian art, Native American basketry, English silver, or have more modern tastes, there is something for everyone at LRMA.

In the Lower Level Galleries beginning December 15, there will be an exhibition pulled from our very own vaults. Recent Acquisitions: 2004 - 2009 celebrates the additions to the LRMA collection made possible by the generous support of the community. Included in the exhibition are important works by Mississippi artists William Dunlap and Ethel Wright Mohamed; two baskets by Native American weaver Pat Courtney Gold, and the first addition to the Japanese Ukiyo-e print collection in many decades, The Dragon King’s Palace (1858), a triptych by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

As it is the Christmas season, make sure you step into the Reading Room to view the beautifully decorated Christmas tree and the exquisite crèche at its base. These sixteen figures are made of dense cedar and were carved by an elderly Mayan Indian living in the hills of south central Guatemala. They were commissioned and purchased, piece by piece, from 1980 - 1981 by LRMA patron Jean Chisholm Lindsey, who then donated them to the Museum.

In the LRMA Library, you can find books on most any artist or art form imaginable. Take a moment to browse the shelves for something that peaks your artistic interest, find a quiet place, and spend an afternoon reading.

The staff at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art appreciates your patronage and participation over the past year and welcomes you to visit your Museum and take part in the exciting events and educational arts programs in 2010. We wish you and yours a beautiful holiday season and a healthy, happy New Year!

The Museum is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Seventh Street in historic downtown Laurel and is open 10:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, call LRMA at 601.649.6374 or visit the Museum’s website, www.LRMA.org.


- Holly Green is the Director of Marketing at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art.