A weekend of Morris Graves programming in conjunction with the publication of “Morris Graves: Selected Letters” takes place April 5 – 6, 2013. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA), the University of Oregon Libraries’ Knight Library and the White Lotus Gallery in downtown Eugene are hosting related exhibitions and events.

“Morris Graves: Selected Letters” is a collection of letters to and from Morris Graves, a Pacific Northwest painter well known for paintings influenced by Japanese aesthetics and Asian philosophy. Published by University of Washington Press, it is edited by Vicki Halper and Lawrence Fong.

Halper is a noted curator of American crafts and co-editor of “Choosing Craft: The Artist’s Viewpoint.” She is former associate curator of modern art at the Seattle Art Museum and curatorial fellow of the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Fong was the associate director and curator of American and regional art at the JSMA. His work focuses on modern and contemporary art and design, and he has served on art committees and panels for the Archives of American Art; Design for Excellence, GSA; and the Oregon Arts Commission.

Events include a book signing at White Lotus Gallery during Lane Arts Council’s First Friday ArtWalk; a talk at Knight Library by Robert Yarber, executive director of the Morris Graves Foundation; and presentation by Lawrence Fong and Vicki Halper at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. All three institutions will also have selected works by Graves on view.

“Morris Graves Paintings and Drawings, 1931-1996” will be on view at the White Lotus Gallery, 767 Willamette St., Eugene, Ore., April 5 - May 25, 2013. The exhibition features artwork from the Morris Graves Foundation, including works from the artist’s early career.
“Art and Nature: An Exhibit of the Life of Morris Graves”will be on view April 3-8 and May 3-31 on the UO campus in Knight Library in Special Collections and University Archives, which permanently houses the Morris Graves Papers. The papers comprise more than 120 boxes of materials given to the UO Libraries by the Morris Graves Foundation. They date from the 1920s to 2008 and include personal, family and business correspondence; drawings and notes; photographs; gallery and exhibition materials; financial records; and documents related to Graves’ houses and properties.

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, which is home to the largest collection of Graves’ works on paper, features “Effort to Bloom,” a small selection of works on view in the Gilkey Center from March 23 to June 2, 2013. These paintings, drawings and sculpture created between 1938 and 1962, many of which were discussed in detail in Graves’ correspondence, provide an intimate look into the artist’s exploration of art and self.

Full schedule of programs:

First Friday Art Walk
Friday, April 5, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Location: White Lotus Gallery, 767 Willamette St., Eugene, Ore.

White Lotus Gallery celebrates the publication of “Morris Graves: Selected Letters” with a book signing by the editors and an exhibition entitled “Morris Graves Paintings and Drawings, 1931-1996.”

“Morris Graves: The Man, the Myth, the Mystery”
Talk by Robert Yarber, executive director of the Morris Graves Foundation
Saturday, April 6, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Knight Library Browsing Room

With a life spanning nearly the entire 20th century, Mr. Graves’ originality is revealed in all aspects of his life. Mr. Yarber, his estate manager and friend of 28 years, will present a biographical slide presentation of Morris Graves, including highlights and insight into his family and friends; education and travels; and gardens and architecture, as well as his creative and life philosophies.

Raised in southern California, Robert Yarber followed a deep calling to seek the heart of nature, choosing to attend Humboldt State University, in the redwoods of northern California, and focused on forestry studies. However, disillusionment set in, brought on by the Vietnam War and the sudden death of his father. At age 22, Robert lost the desire to focus academically, left school to hitchhike south and was picked up by Morris Graves, who hired Robert to steward his 200-acre estate deep in the heart of a forest. Robert attended to the physical maintenance of the property and managed business dealings until Mr. Graves’ death in 2001. Having bequeathed his estate to Robert, Mr. Graves placed no mandates on the future Robert would choose to live. With his wife Desiree, Robert has chosen to continue his life of nurturing the creative spirit by arranging a private foundation at his home at “the Lake,” whose mission it is to nurture the creative spirit, one artist at a time. After 10 years, Robert and Desiree have invited and cared for over 100 artists at the Morris Graves Foundation, each, like Mr. Graves, fulfilling an impelling passion to create.

Morris Graves: Selected Letters
Editors’ Presentation, Reception and Book Signing
Saturday, April 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (presentation); 4:30-5:30 p.m. (reception)
Location: JSMA Ford Lecture Hall & Lobby

Lawrence Fong and Vicki Halper, co-editors of “Morris Graves: Selected Letter,” discuss Northwest artist Morris Graves’ life; what they learned about his family, friends, lovers and art from his personal papers; and the process of editing and preparing the book. The presentation will include readings from selected letters. A reception and book signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Literary Duck.

EXHIBITIONS

“Art and Nature: An Exhibit of the Life of Morris Graves”
April 3-8 and May 3-31
Special Collections and University Archives, Knight Library, University of Oregon

This exhibit features selected items from the Morris Graves Papers housed at University of Oregon Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives in Knight Library. Included in this exhibit are original drawings, manuscripts, exhibition materials, photographs, sketchbooks, blueprints, personal documents, correspondence and more. Topics addressed include home, travel, early life and art.

“Morris Graves Paintings and Drawings, 1931-1996”
April 5-May 25
White Lotus Gallery, 767 Willamette St., Eugene , Ore.

This exhibition includes paintings and drawings that span the career of the artist and features artwork from the Morris Graves Foundation.

“Effort to Bloom”
March 23-June 2
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

To celebrate the publication of “Morris Graves: Selected Letters,” a small selection of works by this major American painter and key member of the Northwest School will be on view in the Gilkey Center. These paintings, drawings and sculpture created between 1938 and 1962, many of which are discussed in detail in Graves’ correspondence, provide an intimate look into the artist’s exploration of art and self.