The Greatest Earth on Show

The Greatest Earth On Show

Beginning October 3rd and now extended through February 21, 2010, a spectacular event will happen on the fringes of Phoenix. The Greatest Earth on Show will feature a collection of the finest work from traditional and contemporary landscape artists, including John Henry Waddell and Clive Pates. Their art work captures the mystique and elegance of the American West. The pieces on display will come from the Phippen Permanent Collection as well as from the archives of private collectors.

Among the many works on exhibit, Phippens Museum is proud to feature the work of Waddell. Describing what went into creating his pastel drawing “River Runs West, Clouds Moving East,” a picture depicting the Grand Canyon, Waddell told the story of him taking two years to complete the piece as he carried canvases back and forth from his home in Cornville to the Grand Canyon. He explained that to capture the elegance of the Canyon he had to often move back 20 to 30 feet away just to gain the proper perspective. He would then apply his strokes in exaggerated motions that he says made him feel more like an acrobat than a painter.

Also featured is the work by Clive Pates, a Jerome artist, who has delivered two beautiful works for the show. The first is called “The Verde River at Dead Horse Ranch,” and the second is called “The Larger Conical Hill, Punta Cerotito, Baja, California Sur.” Both are oil-on-linen painting, the medium perhaps chosen in his attempt to make the painted landscape hold the fountain of meaning he dreamed of expressing. When describing the experience of painting the landscape, Jerome said, “I could walk within a new location for weeks, absorbing the color relationships and compositions peculiar to that place. “The picture started to become more of a journey for me, a part of my life … a way of representing myself as part of the world.”

Not only does the exhibit offer you a unique collection of art. Your ticket into this fabulous display also includes one free Docent Led Tour, which are conducted on the first Saturday of every month. Docents will show you all of the current exhibits and increase your appreciation of these fine works of art by sharing their extensive knowledge of each work’s history and meaning.

Prices are great for the family looking for an event that won’t hurt their wallets, charging $5 for adults and $4 for Senior, Students, and AAA Members.
In addition, the museum is also offering a treat for parents and children by hosting a Christmas Ornament and Holiday Card Workshop for kids. Don’t worry about what you will need to do to keep the kids entertained. This very special offering is a holiday workshop for young people between ages 8 and 14. The program is entitled, “Howdy Holidays.” A hands-on art workshop, craft projects will involve participants to use paper, glue, and found objects to create their own pieces of Western art inspired by Holiday Cards and Christmas Tree Ornaments. The workshop cost is $5 per child. All other workshop costs, included materials, are covered by the Museum, and if you are a Phippen Museum Family Member your entry in this exclusive workshop is free. Make sure to call the Phippen Museum in advance to preregister your child as space is limited.

All materials will be provided by the Museum. The Cost is $5.00 per Child. Phippen Museum Family Members are free. Space is limited so pre-registration is required. Please call the Phippen Museum to register your child.