Meet the Dixon staff - Linley!

Name: Linley Schmidt

Position: Adult Program Coordinator

College/University: University of Memphis

How long have you worked at the Dixon? 3 weeks!

 

The best thing about living in Memphis is……

Everyone is connected somehow! Its fun to find out this person knows that person and that person knows this person…

What famous artist (deceased or living) would you want to be for one day and why?

I would want to be Annie Leibovitz for a day because I could photograph just about anyone (who would say no to her?) and create an image of them that beautifully reveals the essence of who they are while being aesthetically beautiful.

How old were you on your first visit to a museum (art, science history)? How did it shape your interest in museums?

My mother is an artist and my father is a Memphis historian at heart so as a child the world was an art and history museum. Everything beautiful was pointed out and the story of everything historically significant was told. That passed on knowledge made me want to know more, and a concentration of “more” tends to be in museums so I love them!

Do you have any pets? If so, what are they and what are their names?

A dog named Zara, a cat named Selene; two birds, Moninoke and Keoko and a hamster named Halle. Oh, a big spider currently in the front yard named Steve.

What is your favorite piece in Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne?

Dancer in a Colored Tutu. I love the way she seems to glow out of the darkness.

 What do you like most about working at the Dixon?

Everyone is very nice and willing to help.

 

Meet the Dixon Staff - Eric!

Name: Eric Bork  

Position: Assistant Preparator / Weekend Manager

College/University:  

BA Lyon College, Batesville, AR

MFA - Painting, Graduate Certificate Program – Museum Studies, University of Memphis

How long have you worked at the Dixon?  

3 Years

The best thing about living in Memphis is……  

The International Bar-B-Que Festival, hands down!

What famous artist (deceased or living) would you want to be for one day and why?

If being them means I would know what they did, then John Singer Sargent. His instinctive use of light is something that could lifetimes to learn. It would be nice to just already know it.

How old were you on your first visit to a museum (art, science history)? How did it shape your interest in museums?

I remember going to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago when I was very small and thinking it was pretty fantastic. But my first visit to the Met in New York sealed the deal. After that, I knew I wanted museums to be a  part of my life after that.

Do you have any pets? If so, what are they and what are their names?

Um, my son has an aquarium full of fish. There are about 15 of them. I think some of their names are Jeff, Plo, John, and Jericho. I don’t know all the others.

What is your favorite piece in Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne?

It’s a tie between two very different pieces: Jeanette in a white collar and The Racetrack

What do you like most about working at the Dixon?

Talking with guests, my co-workers, handling artwork, traveling, the gardens, the parties, my goodness what isn’t there to love about the Dixon?

 

 

A Very Impressionistic Summer

Although it seems Jean-Louis Forain: La Comédie parisienne has just opened, all departments have been buzzing with the F word for the past few months. In fact, before the grand Gala and opening night celebrations Forain had already made his debut in the summer camps, libraries and schools of Memphis. 

How you ask? Through Art to Grow! Art to Grow is the Dixon’s outreach program that brings the Dixon to learning spaces within a 60 mile radius of the museum, providing art lessons to students in the area.

I have only recently joined the Dixon and the Forain Summer Program has been my first solo challenge. A simple but fun craft: pastel self portraits seemed the obvious choice from looking at the array of beautiful portraiture in the Forain collection.

It has been a delight teaching the children about this well known impressionist. We have been exploring the sights of Paris, listening to French music, learning a little of the language along the way and even eaten the occasional croissant… What else has been a delight has been listening to librarians, camp staff and teachers squeal when they hear that Art to Grow is COMPLETELY FREE!!  Yes, we are very fortunate to be able to provide this service to our community. For that we thank our generous sponsors!

Forain is not an obvious choice for the younger crowd but his work has successfully sparked conversations about color, media, style and most importantly an opportunity for children to offer their insights and very truthful opinions. Children ‘oooh’ and ‘aahh’ at portrait d’homme- a stand out favorite among the elementary set, many convinced that it is President Lincoln!  

Jean-Louis Forain(French 1852 - 1931)

Portrait d’homme, ca. 1880-1883 

Oil on cardboard

22.24 x 14.45 inches

Private Collection, Belgium

As a newcomer to the Dixon I have been overwhelmed by the help and support offered by my colleagues; whether it be a lesson idea, technical support or just help finding an obscure item, someone has always been on hand and happy to oblige answer even some of the most unusual of questions.

I would also like to mention the AMAZING job done by the Dixon’s interns and volunteers this summer. Allison Hopper, Alice Valdes and Bennett LeMasters have all joined me on the Art to Grow van to help out. They have each brought their unique qualities to the program and have not been afraid to get stuck in and pretty messy!

Art to Grow will be off the road for the month of August and will be undergoing a serious makeover! I am getting very excited about the brand new curriculum and in particular designing some very special sessions on the work of Brain Selznick. ‘From Hugo to Houdini: the Art of Brian Selznick’ will be opening October 23^rd. This seems a way off right now but as a very wise Dixon employee said preparation is key!

Bryony Petch, Art to Grow Outreach Instructor