January 16, 2019
Marigolds, 1909, Winifred Brady Adams, American (1871-1955), oil on canvas, David Owsley Museum of Art; Gift of the Muncie Art Association, 1975.500.001; © artist’s estate
The David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) presents a special opportunity to view more than 90 works of art by Muncie’s most important Impressionist painters. “Impressions of Love: J. Ottis and Winifred Brady Adams, a Ball State University Centennial Exhibition” is on view from January 24 through May 19, 2019.
Commemorating Ball State’s Centennial with this unique exhibition, “Impressions of Love” celebrates the art and marriage of the noted painters, whose art was fostered and collected by the Ball family. Curated by Shaun Dingwerth, executive director of the Richmond Art Museum, the exhibition is the largest showcase of either artist’s work in more than 90 years. A catalogue published by the museum this Spring will accompany the exhibition.
While J. Ottis Adams (1851-1927) has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, “Impressions of Love” is the first to emphasize Winifred Brady Adams’ (1871-1955) career and talent as an academically-trained still-life painter. It features the greatest quantity of her works ever displayed — many of which have been seldom seen by the public. A large number of paintings and drawings by both artists has been assembled from significant regional institutions and private collections, including the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, the Indiana State Museum, the Swope Museum, the Fort Wayne Art Museum, the Haan Museum, the Dailey Family Memorial Collection at Indiana University, Minnetrista, and more.
“This genial pair of artists encouraged the foundation of an art museum in Muncie about a century ago,” said Robert La France, director of DOMA. “They were also related to the Ball family, making them an ideal choice for celebrating Ball State University’s 100th anniversary. We are proud to reacquaint regional visitors with these foundational figures and their radiant Impressionist paintings, and hope that the accompanying exhibition catalogue will introduce a wider audience to the artists’ accomplishments.”
The exhibition at DOMA is free and open to the public, and the museum serves as the sole venue offering this rare glimpse into the artistic lives of the Hoosier couple.
This special exhibition is made possible by major support from the George and Frances Ball Foundation.