The Shands Collection: New Directions
Al Shands talks about becoming a serious collector in the early 1980s when his late wife Mary helped found and lead the Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation鈥� what is now KMAC Museum. Beginning with works by regionally based artists, the couple subsequently began to focus on nationally and internationally known figures. As the collection developed, their interests gravitated toward sculpture and in 1986 they decided to build a new home, Great Meadows, whose architecture and grounds would provide a harmonious environment where they could enjoy and share their love of art. Since that time the collection has grown to fill the house and grounds, a place where Al regularly welcomes tours by groups of artists, museum patrons and art lovers.
He continues to collect and over the last few years his art interests have been affected by the activities of Great Meadows Foundation, his friendships with younger museum curators, and the growth of Louisville鈥檚 contemporary art scene. For him, the foundation became a rich resource to learn more about contemporary art in the state while art dealers and curators have helped him explore and appreciate new art nationally. This has resulted in an outgrowth from the collection that now goes beyond what can be seen at his home. Al has always been committed to his collection being visible and, while this new collection cannot be shown in the space of his home, he has decided the works can be shared in other ways. For this purpose he envisages presenting them from time to time in curated 鈥減op-up鈥� exhibitions.
The first of these, The Shands Collection: New Directions offers an opportunity to view works from this new collection, contextualized with works that normally reside at Al鈥檚 home. In the exhibition, recent acquisitions by Megan Bickel, Tiffany Calvert, Kiah Celeste, Rafael Domenech, Denise Furnish, Heather Jones, Letitia Quesenberry, Vian Sora, Mark Williams and Peter Williams are shown alongside works by Francesca DiMattio, Howard Hodgkin, Alyson Shotz, Sara VanDerBeek, and Mark Wallinger. It鈥檚 an exhibition that shares how this collector鈥檚 vision and mature taste continues to grow and develop as he encounters new artists. Equally, Al hopes, while giving pleasure to visitors, that the exhibition will encourage audiences to think about how collecting art can enrich their lives while supporting those creatives that make our community so culturally vibrant.
Recommended for you
Al Shands talks about becoming a serious collector in the early 1980s when his late wife Mary helped found and lead the Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation鈥� what is now KMAC Museum. Beginning with works by regionally based artists, the couple subsequently began to focus on nationally and internationally known figures. As the collection developed, their interests gravitated toward sculpture and in 1986 they decided to build a new home, Great Meadows, whose architecture and grounds would provide a harmonious environment where they could enjoy and share their love of art. Since that time the collection has grown to fill the house and grounds, a place where Al regularly welcomes tours by groups of artists, museum patrons and art lovers.
He continues to collect and over the last few years his art interests have been affected by the activities of Great Meadows Foundation, his friendships with younger museum curators, and the growth of Louisville鈥檚 contemporary art scene. For him, the foundation became a rich resource to learn more about contemporary art in the state while art dealers and curators have helped him explore and appreciate new art nationally. This has resulted in an outgrowth from the collection that now goes beyond what can be seen at his home. Al has always been committed to his collection being visible and, while this new collection cannot be shown in the space of his home, he has decided the works can be shared in other ways. For this purpose he envisages presenting them from time to time in curated 鈥減op-up鈥� exhibitions.
The first of these, The Shands Collection: New Directions offers an opportunity to view works from this new collection, contextualized with works that normally reside at Al鈥檚 home. In the exhibition, recent acquisitions by Megan Bickel, Tiffany Calvert, Kiah Celeste, Rafael Domenech, Denise Furnish, Heather Jones, Letitia Quesenberry, Vian Sora, Mark Williams and Peter Williams are shown alongside works by Francesca DiMattio, Howard Hodgkin, Alyson Shotz, Sara VanDerBeek, and Mark Wallinger. It鈥檚 an exhibition that shares how this collector鈥檚 vision and mature taste continues to grow and develop as he encounters new artists. Equally, Al hopes, while giving pleasure to visitors, that the exhibition will encourage audiences to think about how collecting art can enrich their lives while supporting those creatives that make our community so culturally vibrant.
What's on nearby
