2010 WINE EXPERIENCE: DAY 1

The 2010 Philbrook Wine Experience is officially underway. We have vintners and guests from all over the country, here to teach us about the world of wine. Tonight we will host an auction to raise funds for our vital Education Dept.

Tomorrow will host the Fleming's Grand Wine Tasting, a packed event that is a must for any wine lover. You will taste amazing wines, sample delicious food, and help the museum in the process. That is a win, win, win!

MEET THE VINTNERS: ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS

Today's featured vintner is Alexander Valley Vineyards.
Here's a bit about this from their website...

"Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley was mostly prune orchards and pastures when, in 1962, Maggie and Harry Wetzel purchased a large portion of a homestead built by Cyrus Alexander, the valley’s nineteenth century namesake. Here, in a rural community of family farms and ranches, the Wetzel family settled. They raised livestock, cultivated bountiful gardens and restored Alexander’s original home, making it the center of family life. With an eye to their neighbors in nearby Napa Valley, the Wetzels boldly planted premium grape varieties, among the first in the area. Then the family built a small winery." For more click HERE.

40 DAYS

As of today, we are just 40 days away from the opening of our next great exhibition, "TO LIVE FOREVER: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum". Get ready, Tulsa! This is the event of the summer.

Our fantastic graphic designers put together this amazing press kit, full of Egyptian goodies and information about the show.

MEET THE VINTNERS: BURGESS CELLARS

Our next featured vintner is Burgess Cellars. Located on the slopes of Howell Mountain in Napa Valley, Burgess Cellars focuses on creating exceptional, hand-crafted estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Syrah.

Burgess traces its origins to an original winery on the property in the 1880's. Since 1972, Napa Valley pioneer Tom Burgess and his family have followed the belief that it is vital to grow only those varietals ideally suited to a particular vineyard's soil composition, sun and wind exposure, and overall micro-climate. The French refer to this as "terroir," and it certainly explains the consistent aromas and flavors found in the hillside Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon.

MEET THE VINTNERS: CALISTOGA CELLARS

In July 1996, Roger Louer (pictured) and several of his best friends bought 11 acres of vineyards in Napa Valley, near Calistoga, along with the Blossom Creek Cottage. Originally, there was no plan to create a winery. But after a few years of selling grapes to some of Napa's top wineries, they decided to take the plunge into the winemaking world.

Roger writes: "Friends from around the Country would come visit my wife and me, stay in the Blossom Creek cottage, and begin to become emotionally invested in what we were doing. So I thought, why not invite our friends to become part of the winemaking process, and make them partial owners? Sharing that process with our friends has been the key to our success. With partners all over the country, we have ambassadors in many major US markets. They help gain recognition for the brand by introducing it to their favorite retailers, restaurants, and distributors in their own backyards. This grass roots approach has been crucial to our growth, since national marketing on this level is often too exhausting or expensive for young wineries."

CULINARY ARTS

Our upcoming Garden Brunch event featuring award-winning cookbook author and food writer, Deborah Madison, is a must for anyone interested in great food, sustainability or just a good time. How about all three?

The chair for the event is local chef and artist, Mark Lackey. The food for this event will be prepared with locally grown ingredients. What a perfect tie-in to our very own Grow To Give project we are doing here at the museum to benefit the local food bank.

Have a look at some of the amazing culinary creations that will be served at the brunch.
Get your tickets today. Click HERE for more.


First course: Swiss Chard and Leek Tart w/ Goat Cheese

Second Course:Deconstructed chicken pot pie

Third Course: Champagne Gelatin w/ fresh fruit

MEET THE VINTNERS: NICKEL & NICKEL

One of the vintners we are really excited about this year is Nickel & Nickel. Here's a little bit about them from their website.


"The wineries dotted along the flat, tidy expanse of the Napa Valley appellation of Oakville are celebrated for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and other varietal wines. In fact, the region’s vineyards are some of the most coveted in the valley. The Nickel & Nickel winery, founded in 1997 but born from a tradition of exceptional winemaking, is devoted to creating wines that articulate the singular expressions of the vineyards in Oakville and beyond.

Established by the partners of Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel is based on a philosophy of producing 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard. The winery’s current releases include Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah, as well as Russian River Valley Chardonnay, Syrah and Zinfandel. "

MEET THE VINTNERS: BAKER LANE VINEYARDS

We are little more than a week away from the 2010 Philbrook Wine Experience. We have an amazing lineup of vintners for this year's event. Over the next few days we are going to tell you a little about some of these participants.

First up...Baker Lane Vineyards


Baker Lane Vineyards is a winery about place. The wines are produced from vineyards situated on opposing slopes of a small north/south valley that is part of the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed just outside of Sebastopol, California.

In 2002, pursuing a lifelong dream, Stephen Singer bought a beautiful hillside property in Sebastopol for the purposes of creating a vineyard, olive orchard and homestead. RoadsEnd Farm, which he operates with his wife, Michel, represents the culmination of all of his interests–aesthetic, viticultural, gustatory and environmental. The wines are produced under the watchful eye of winemaker Steven Canter. Mr. Singer, a native Tulsan, even has his own brand of olive oil, called "Stephen Singer, Olio".

“Stephen Singer, Olio is an importing venture that I began over 14 years ago based on a couple of simple, but passionately held ideas. The first was rooted in the constantly deepening appreciation that I was experiencing for the pleasures of the Italian table. The second was an entrepreneurial impulse to seek out and provide to the restaurant associations that I then had the kinds of distinctive oils and vinegars that inspired my quest for flavor.”

-Stephen Singer

MASTERING THE ART OF YOUNG PHILANTHROPY

Philbrook is nearing its 75th anniversary. For nearly three quarters of a century we have been an important part of the community. If we intend to remain relevant for the next century or more, we need the time, support and vision of the young leaders in our community. If this sounds like you, we invite you to become a Young Master.

For $1000 a year, which can be broken into monthly installments, you will enjoy...

• Unlimited free admission for two adults
• Free or discounted admission to films, lectures and concerts
• Complimentary invitations for 2 to special exhibition previews
• 10% discount in the Museum Shop and la Villa Restaurant; 20% holiday discount
• Free subscription to quarterly magazine, Columns and e-news
• Advanced invitations to special events
• Special interest groups, travel and birthday opportunities
• Complimentary invitation for two to annual recognition event
• Reciprocal privileges at 300+ museums nationwide
• Recognition in Philbrook publications
• (6) Free one-time guest passes
• $5 la Villa Restaurant gift certificate
• $25 Museum Shop gift certificate
• One free exhibition catalogue
• Unlimited guests attending with member
• Use of la Villa Restaurant and Patio after hours (fees apply)

And for a limited time only, if you become a Young Master, you will recieve two (2) tickets to the Philbrook Wine Experience Fleming's Grand Wine Tasting on Saturday, May 1st ($250 value). If wine is not your thing, you can also choose one free session of our popular Summer Art Camp (age 5-12).

To become a Young Master today, click here to join online. Use promotional code 1037.
For questions contact Asst. Director of Development Frank J. Mulhern at 918-748-5332 or email FMulhern@philbrook.org.

MEET THE FOXES

Out in our South Formal Garden, two young foxes are captured on film getting into all sorts of mischief. What a life for these sly little guys.

Carolee Schneemann Is Coming!

Legendary painter and teacher Hans Hofmann's impact stretched to such diverse artists as Ray Eames, Frank Stella and Carolee Schneemann, a provocative performance artist dealing with sexuality and gender issues. In conversation with exhibition curator Catherine Morris, Schneemann shares how Hofmann influenced her to become one of the most significant performance artists of our time.

Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Times: 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Free with museum admission
Room: Patti Johnson Wilson Hall

The Adventures of Acer and Perilla

It's hard to walk the grounds at Philbrook without seeing our two garden cats, Acer and Perilla. These frisky felines have become an attraction in their own right. Take a look.

Highlights from Community Blogs

Every once and a while we like to share with you something that another blog has written about us. We have so many wonderful community ambassadors, there is always something worth sharing. This time we visited a local site called The Tulsa Project. The author of the piece, Thom Crowe, visited our new works on paper exhibition last Sunday. Here's what he had to say about "Bookworks II".

First things first: I’ve always been a bibliophile and lover of the arts. I love to read, and like every other writer on the planet, I’m “working on a novel”. It’s been in the works for at least 3 years, yet I’ve barely completed three chapters; at this rate, I’ll have it finished before I turn 93. On Sunday, Philbrook had an opening that really caught my eye entitled Bookworks. In this exhibit, the lines between book and art are so blurred that the book itself is a work of art. A few years ago I fell in love with printmaking, an interest that coincided conveniently enough with my wife delving into it as her chosen medium, and during this time was introduced to book-as-art. Philbrook has a great intro to book art for those unfamiliar, and has plenty to offer those with for a love of the medium.

Much of the collection comes from Tulsa’s own McFarlin Library Department of Special Collections at TU. Local printmaker and book artist Milissa Burkart will be on hand throughout the run of the collection to discuss book as art. I was unfamiliar with Milissa, but this weekend she opened her home to the OVAC Art Studio Tour and I was fortunate enough to see the space where she works and to visit with Milissa firsthand. I would definitely recommend making time to go to the discussion entitled “Bookworks II: Exploring Book as Art,” an opportunity to learn how books become three-dimensional works of art on Wednesday, May 12 from noon to 1 at Philbrook. Want to get a little more hands on? Philbrook will have an additional class on May 22nd with Burkart helping a class to make their own “book object.”

Going, Going, Hans

We've only got a few weeks left for our wonderful current exhibition, "Hans Hofmann: Circa 1950". If you haven't seen it, we encourage you to do so. If you have, we hope you come again before it's gone.

And after Hans is gone, we are taking a trip to Egypt. More to come.

The Slow Food Pioneer

We are so excited that our guest for the 2010 Garden Brunch will be none other than Deborah Madison. This multiple James Beard Award-winning cook and food writer had been an icon in the food world for decades. From working with Alice Waters at Chez Panisse to opening the landmark restaurant, Greens, Madison is a pioneer in the areas of slow food and sustainability. She was doing this when it wasn't cool. And she still does it today.

For more info on the Garden Brunch on May 17th, click HERE.

GROW TO GIVE: SPRING 2010

In case you hadn't heard, we are partnering again this year with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma for our Grow To Give program. We are once again planting a fruits, herbs and vegetables in our South Formal Garden. It's a wonderful partnership and we couldn't be more proud or pleased to be doing it. Take a look at this short video highlighting the spring planting.

BOOKWORKS II IS HERE, ARE YOU?

Our new works on paper show, "Bookworks II" opens on Sunday, but come by and catch a sneak peek before everyone else.

GOOD WEAVES MEET GOOD DEEDS

We are just about one week away from our 3rd Thursday event, in partnership with SR Hughes. We will welcome internationally acclaimed designer Stephanie Odegard as she talks about her methods and design philosophy.

In a 2002 New York Times piece titled,"AT HOME WITH/STEPHANIE ODEGARD; Good Weaves Meet Good Deeds", Ms. Odegard talked about her life, her work and how they both came to be.
Below is an excerpt. To read the article in full, click HERE.

"In 1987, after a posting in Nepal, Ms. Odegard, who has no formal design training, went into business in New York, arranging to make high-end Tibetan carpets in Nepal, with the work overseen by Tibetan refugees. (Most Tibetan carpets, prized for their lanolin-rich wool from sheep that graze in the Himalayas, have been made in Nepal since 1959, when the Chinese annexed Tibet.)

Ms. Odegard started her company as a way to prove an economic theory. After years in the third world, she was convinced that the best way to raise the standard of living was to produce high-end crafts. That project would take more skilled, higher paid workers. The World Bank had tried to achieve the same end, but through grants. ''Stephanie really bucked that trend and she was incredibly dogged,'' said Nancy Barry, who was the World Bank program director when Ms. Odegard was there, and who is now the president of Women's World Banking, a New York-based organization that makes small loans to third world entrepreneurs.

Then Ms. Odegard set about reviving the market for Tibetan carpets, which typically had borne tribal motifs, making them too busy for elegant interiors. ''I had been teaching people in Nepal to make good carpets, but I couldn't find anyone to buy them,'' she said.

She decided to give her Tibetan carpets a new look by paring down the motifs and using antique Asian textiles as an inspiration, and she increased the knots for a square foot to a sleek 100 from the traditional 50 or 60. She also developed new dyes to add richer, more modern shades to the palette."

ART BY THE BOOK

Take a look at this great video showing how books are/were made. And don't forget to join us on Sunday, April 11 for the opening our new works on paper exhibition, "Bookworks II: Exploring the Book as Art".

THE ART OF MAKING A BOOK

This Sunday, April 11, we will open our new exhibition in our Works on Paper gallery, "Bookworks II: Exploring the Book as Art". This exhibition explores the broad spectrum of the book as art, beginning with the traditional book format as collaboration between the artist, craftsman and author. For an example of the artwork, craft and skill that can go into the making of a book, take a look at this video documenting the decade-long work to create the Pictorial Webster's dictionary.
And just so you know, we carry this book in our shop. Come check it out!

ART FOR LIFE: STEPHANIE ODEGARD

ART FOR LIFE
SR Hughes and Philbrook are proud to welcome internationally renowned rug designer Stephanie Odegard to Tulsa.

Meet and Greet
Meet Stephanie Odegard and view Odegard’s luxury carpet and furniture designs.

Wednesday, April 14th
4:00 - 6:00pm
SR Hughes Center 1, 3410 S. Peoria, Ste. 100
*There is limited space available so please RSVP to brian@srhughes.com or 742-5515.

Presentation
In observance of Earth Day, Stephanie Odegard will demonstrate her techniques and present a lecture entitled “Sustainable Design and Social Responsibility.”

Thursday, April 15th
5:30pm informal demonstration, 6:30pm presentation
Patti Johnson Wilson Auditorium
Philbrook Museum of Art 2727 S. Rockford Road
*Limited seating available. For ticket information call Philbrook at 749-7941 or visit philbrook.org.

For more information visit the SR Hughes blog http://srhughes08.wordpress.com/

The Art of the Steal: Part 2

The famous Barnes Collection, which is the focus of the documentary, The Art of the Steal, is one of the most impressive and most intriguing collections ever. Aside from the work itself, one of the more interesting things about it was the way the collection was hung and displayed in the home. Have a look at this video and see what we're talking about.

And join us on April 8th when we partner up with our friends at Circle Cinema for the Tulsa premiere of this fascinating documentary.
Date: Thursday, April 08, 2010
Times: 7:00pm to 8:45pm
$5/Circle & Philbrook Members, $8.50/not-yet
Room: Patti Johnson Wilson Hall