CONTINUING EXHIBITIONS
“Rain Forest Visions: Amazonian Ceramics from Ecuador, The Melza and Ted Barr Collection”
September 19, 2015 through February 14, 2016
The Canelos Quichua-speaking people of eastern Ecuador make the finest traditional ceramics to be found in Amazonian South America, a practice deeply embedded in their history, culture, and contemporary lives. This exhibition, featuring 100 works from the Melza and Ted Barr Collection, is one of the first of its kind in an art museum. The bowls, vessels, and sculpture that make up this collection represent a geographic area ranging from the canopied Andean foothills through the Upper Amazonian regions. The Barrs acquired many of them while living in Quito, Ecuador, in the late 1980s, adding additional pieces on subsequent trips to the region in the early 1990s. Selected for their craftsmanship, subject matter, and creativity of design, the pieces elucidate a variety of Amazonian pottery making and practices and offer insight into cultural mythologies, suggesting the potters’ long-held – and rapidly changing – views of the world around them.
“Divine Ammunition: The Sculpture of Al Farrow”
October 10, 2015 through January 3, 2016
Using guns and ammunition, Al Farrow creates sculptures of reliquaries, cathedrals, synagogues, mosques, mausoleums, and other devotional objects. The surprising inventiveness and the technical tour-de-force of his craftsmanship are highlighted in this exhibition of works drawn from private and public collections. In these the artist denigrates no one belief, being mindful, discriminating, and probing of all. His fanciful combinations of the elements of religious architecture are exactingly realized and perfectly scaled. Each work gives new meaning to its materials. Gun barrel towers and domes built of bullets not only compel the viewerto consider the present but also the history of conflict. The artist’s material choices may be jarring, but they also provoke awe and inspire meditation.
“Back to Life: Bay Area Figurative Drawings”
October 10, 2015 through May 1, 2016
In 1953, the young painters David Park, Elmer Bischoff and Richard Diebenkorn began meeting weekly in a Berkeley studio to draw from live models. In works on paper, they imbued the human form with the charged-emotion newly derived from the bold and swift marks of gestural Abstract Expressionism that emerged in their paintings of figures, still lifes, and landscapes. This return to humanist tradition was revolutionary in an era that celebrated subjective emotional experience, especially in contemporary abstraction. The expressive rendering of subject matter forged in Northern California became known as Bay Area Figuration, and for the first time, the vanguard of American painting was here, rather than New York.
The drawing sessions begun by this circle of intimates continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s, widening to include artists such as James Weeks, William Theophilius Brown, Paul Wonner, and later, Frank Lobdell, Nathan Oliveira, and Manuel Neri. The primacy each placed on the study of the human figure is evident in this selection of more than 30 drawings, including major gifts from the estate of John S. Knudsen. Additional works by Joan Brown and Wayne Thiebaud highlight the growing influence of Californian artists in these decades. In plays of light and dark, succinct line work, and attention to the emotional states of sitters, the qualities that make Bay Area Figuration so enduringly compelling are examined.
“The Age of Albrecht Dürer: German Drawings from the École des Beaux Arts, Paris”
November 1, 2015 through February 14, 2016
This exhibition of German drawings is centered on Albrecht Dürer and his world, seen in a selection from the best drawings collection in France outside the Louvre. A central figure of Renaissance humanism, Dürer revolutionized the arts of drawing, painting, and printmaking in Germany and throughout Europe. The exhibition explores Dürer and his legacy, including Dürer and the German Renaissance; German Mannerism and the princely courts; and artists of the Imperial court under Rudolf II. The exhibition presents new research and new discoveries to create a better understanding of an iconic artist, his world, and his legacy.
STUDENT & COMMUNITY EXHIBITIONS
“Camellia Waldorf School: The Art of Learning”
July 2 through December 6, 2015
At Camellia Waldorf School, the arts are infused into all subjects at every grade level, from preschool through eighth grade. Camellia Waldorf students work throughout their education with color and form; with clay, wood, fiber, metal, charcoal, and ink; with tone, drama, and speech; and with eurhythmy as an art of bodily movement. For 25 years, Camellia Waldorf School’s academically rigorous and developmentally appropriate approach has nurtured creativity and resilience, strengthening students’ ability to think critically, collaborate, and communicate. Students graduate as independent thinkers, becoming leaders who impact the community and the world in positive ways. Located in south Sacramento, Camellia Waldorf School has been uniquely distinguished as the most diverse Waldorf school in North America. The objects on view represent work by students from age 6 to 14. The exhibition reception will take place on Sunday, December 6, at 1 PM.
“Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program”
December 10, 2015 through February 28, 2016
This exhibition will showcase original student artwork from the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program. Since 1989, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accepts over 27,000 entries annually from this dynamic art- and science-based program which is designed to encourage students to explore their natural world and biology and wildlife management principals, while challenging them to express and share what they have learned.
CONCERTS, FILMS, & SPECIAL EVENTS
Film Series: Art on Film: “The Last Laugh”, F.W. Murnau, Director – Selected by Kristen Anderson Wagner
Thursday, December 3, 6 p.m.
(1928, 91 minutes, NR, Silent Film)
The Crocker begins a new series showcasing the best of film selected and introduced by diverse voices in the world of film appreciation. Celebrating movies as an art form unto itself, three film lovers have each chosen a movie they believe represents some of the best of art on film. Screenings take place the first Thursday of December, January, and February at 6 PM, and are enhanced by a lively and informative introduction before the film, and an engaging Q&A after the film, both conducted by the expert who selected the film. December’s film, a German Expressionist masterpiece called, “The Last Laugh,” showcases some of the most stunning lighting and cinematography of all time. A superb example of the freedom of movement that filmmakers had before the introduction of sound, “The Last Laugh” is also notable for its minimal use of intertitles, representing film as a nearly wholly visual medium. The story of a demoted hotel doorman who finds redemption, “The Last Laugh” went on to influence filmmaking as an art form and is today considered one of the world’s great films. “The Last Laugh” will be introduced by Kristen Anderson Wagner, film historian and professor of film studies at Menlo College. $10 members, $13 students/youth, $15 nonmembers. Tickets may be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, at the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling . January’s film is “Trust,” directed by Hal Hartley, and February’s film is “La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast),” directed by Jean Cocteau.
Art Mix | Revolution
Thursday, December 10, 5 – 9 p.m.
Overthrow 2015 with a bash, a bang, and a blast! Set things off with the live music of Lonely Bulls and the Crocker’s DJ-in-Residence Larry Rodriguez. Gears get turning with robots, steam punk, machination madness, and comedians Keith Lowell Jensen and Johnny Taylor. Rage against the machine with performance art from Bobby Edwards. View “Divine Ammunition: The Sculpture of Al Farrow” – the revolution will not be televised. Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Enjoy food and drink discounts during happy hour from 5 – 6 PM and $5 drink specials all night. Tickets may be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, at the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling . Art Mix takes place every second Thursday of the month.
Classical Concert: Camellia City Flute Choir
Sunday, December 13, 3 p.m.
Celebrate the holidays at the Crocker with this family-friendly, not-to-be-missed concert event with Sacramento’s own Camellia City Flute Choir. Comprised of 18 to 20 members performing on six different types of flutes, the Camellia City Flute Choir is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the ears. Bring the whole family, and enjoy music from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods. After the performance, stay for an interactive exchange with the performers – see the instruments up close, ask questions, and learn more about how they create beautiful tones. $6 Museum members, $10 student/youth/Capital Public Radio members, $12 nonmembers. Tickets may be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, at the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling . This concert is part of the Crocker’s monthly Classical Concert series with Prelude Tours preceding the concert at 1 & 2 p.m.
Holiday Crafts and Cocktails
Thursday, December 17, 6 – 9 p.m.
Bring your friends or come and meet new ones at this fun and relaxing evening of making! Enjoy holiday cocktails and good company as we get crafty on an entirely new level and create holiday ornaments and decorations. Make last-minute presents for friends and family, or gift yourself your newest creations. Limited supplies in a variety of media will be provided. Feel free to bring your own projects to work on and share ideas! One holiday cocktail or non-alcoholic drink is included in the price of admission, and a no-host cash bar will be available throughout the evening. $18 Museum members, $25 nonmembers. Tickets may be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, at the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling .
“The Sound of Music”Sing-along|
Saturday, December 26, 1:30 & 6 p.m. screenings
(1965, 174 Minutes, G)
A Sacramento tradition, the Crocker’s “The Sound of Music” sing-along returns for its fourth year, with costume contests, door prizes, yodeling and lots of laughs. Starring Julie Andrews with music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, this multi-Academy-Award-winning film tickles the heart and warms the soul. This year, in celebration of the film’s 50th Anniversary, the first 50 ticket-holders will get free interactive fun packs! $7 Museum members, $12 students/youth, $15 nonmembers.
TOURS & TALKS
Lunch & Learn
Tuesday, December 1, 12 p.m.
Join an in-depth examination of “Models II” by Elmer Bischoff. Before or after the 30-minute gallery conversation, take time to enjoy lunch at the Crocker Cafe by Supper Club. Free for Museum members, and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org.
New on View Tour
Thursday, December 3, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 12, 3 p.m.
Never the same tour twice, the New on View Tour dives into the Crocker’s latest special exhibitions and newest works of art. Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org.
Highlight Tour
Saturdays, December 5, 12, 19, 26; 11 a.m., 12, 1 & 2 p.m.
Sundays, December 6, 13, 20, 27; 11 a.m., 12, 1 & 2 p.m.
Discover the essence of the Crocker’s permanent collection in this introductory tour of the Museum. Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org.
L.I.F.E. (Learning in Five Elements) Hip-Hop Pedagogy
Saturday, December 12, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Gain exposure to the hip-hop movement through performances and artist discussions, then develop teaching strategies that encourage students to express themselves and impact social change. Presented in partnership with Low End Theory Collaborative. $25 Museum members, $30 nonmembers. Tickets may be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, at the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling .
Guest Curator Lecture: Emmanuelle Brugerolles from the École des Beaux-Arts, Paris
Saturday, December 12, 3 – 4 p.m.
In celebration of the exhibition “The Age of Albrecht Dürer: German Drawings from the École des Beaux-Arts, Paris,” join us for a special guest lecture with Emmanuelle Brugerolles, Chief Curator in charge of Master Drawings at France’s historic and prestigious art academy, the École des Beaux-Arts. The organizer of “The Age of Albrecht Dürer” and one of the world’s top experts in master drawings, Mme. Brugerolles has curated exhibitions on artists ranging from Rembrandt to David Smith, and is a leading authority on Dürer and German drawings. You will not want to miss this amazing opportunity to learn more about Dürer’s revolutionary art, his contemporaries, and his legacy! $10 Museum members, $13 student/youth, $15 nonmembers. Tickets may be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, at the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling .
Prelude Tour
Sunday, December 13, 1 & 2 p.m.
Before the Classical Concert at 3 p.m., enjoy a docent-led tour of winter and holiday-themed art in the Crocker’s collection that helps place the music in context of the art on view. Prelude Tours are open to all visitors and are free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org.
Meet Me at the Museum
Tuesday, December 15, 10:30 a.m.
Art observation and conversation serve as a gateway to memories and social interaction during this tour designed for visitors living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Free for everyone. Advance registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Tiffany Paige at or Paige@ArtzAlz.org. This tour takes place every third Tuesday of the month.
Gallery Bites
Tuesday, December 15, 12 p.m.
Take an in-depth look at the Crocker’s Central European Gallery during this 30-minute tour. Learn fascinating details about a different gallery each month. Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org. This tour takes place every third Tuesday of the month.
Crocker History Tour
Sunday, December 20, 12 – 1 p.m.
Learn about the Crocker family and the era during which they lived as you journey back in time on this history-infused gallery tour. Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org. The Crocker History Tour runs December through May.
YOUTH & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Artful Tot
Tuesday, December 1, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Every month, toddlers explore art-making with different materials in new ways, from printmaking and color mixing to clay and fabric. Adults learn how to encourage experimentation and self-expression while nurturing their child’s creativity. Families are welcome to arrive anytime during this drop-in program. Please dress for mess. This program is for children from 19 to 36 months old and their caregivers. $7 Museum member tot, $10 nonmember tot. Fees include Museum admission. Tickets may be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling . This program takes place every first Tuesday of the month.
Wee Wednesday
Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 10:30 & 11 a.m.
Bring your little one and yourself to this gallery-based art experience for children ages 3 to 5. The adventure begins in Tot Land with groups leaving at 10:30 and 11 a.m. Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org. This program takes place every Wednesday of the month.
Kids & Company Gallery Adventure
Saturday, December 5, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m
Sunday, December 20, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Amusing and educational, this tour is the perfect way to introduce art to children ages 5 and older (and the adults who tag along with them). Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org. This program takes place every first Saturday and third Sunday of the month.
Art Blast
Saturday, December 12, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Each month a different work of art provides the inspiration for a memorable art-making activity for families with children ages 7 to 12. Families are welcome to drop in any time during the program. Free Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org. This program takes place every second Saturday of the month.
Classical Concert: Camellia City Flute Choir
Sunday, December 13, 3 p.m.
Celebrate the holidays at the Crocker with this family-friendly, not-to-be-missed concert event with Sacramento’s own Camellia City Flute Choir. Comprised of 18 to 20 members performing on six different types of flutes, the Camellia City Flute Choir is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the ears. Bring the whole family, and enjoy music from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods. After the performance, stay for an interactive exchange with the performers – see the instruments up close, ask questions, and learn more about how they create beautiful tones. $6 Museum members, $10 student/youth/Capital Public Radio members, $12 nonmembers. Tickets may be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, at the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling . This concert is part of the Crocker’s monthly Classical Concert series with Prelude Tours preceding the concert at 1 & 2 p.m.
Baby Loves Art
Tuesday, December 15, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Baby Loves Art engages babies (up to 18 months old) in a visually stimulating gallery walk and gives parents and caregivers a fun opportunity to connect with their babies and each other. All baby noises are expected and welcome. For the best art view, front carriers are recommended. Strollers are allowed, but please no backpacks. Meet at the Admission Desk; no advance registration required. Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org. This program takes place every third Tuesday of the month.
Crocker Art Carts
Tuesday, December 23, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 29, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
A fun way to bring artwork to life, the Crocker Art Museum’s Art Carts provide hands-on learning opportunities for everyone. These carts, located in the galleries, are loaded with activities and gallery games that allow visitors to interpret and experience the art on view in an interactive and physical way. Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org.
Story Trail
Wednesday, December 23, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 30, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Story Trail provides an engaging way for families with young children to talk about art while visiting the Museum. Pick up our special storybook at the Admission Desk and take it on a gallery adventure. Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org.
Sketch It
Sunday, December 27, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Visitors ages 5 and older can sketch at their own pace while receiving drawing instruction. This drop-in program meets in a different gallery each month. No experience necessary, and all supplies are provided. Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers. Admission prices are located at crockerartmuseum.org. This program takes place every fourth Sunday of the month.
Noon Year’s Eve: A Free Family Festival
Thursday, December 31, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Free for Everyone
This year, the Crocker Art Museum is kicking its high energy New Year’s party for families up a notch. It wouldn’t be any fun if we spill the beans now, but let’s just say this amazing annual event just got even better. Now one of Sacramento’s major traditions, families can count down to the New Year at noon at this fun and free celebration of global cultural experiences. With live music, dance performances, and festive art activities happening throughout the Museum, this is one New Year’s celebration everyone can stay awake for. Sponsored by Raley’s Family of Fine Stores.
The Crocker Art Museum was the first public art museum in the Western U.S. and is one of the leading art museums in California today. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events, and programs to augment its collections of Californian, European, Asian, African and Oceanic artworks, and international ceramics. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. Every third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Western Health Advantage. For more information, call or visit crockerartmuseum.org.
