Decades: 90 Years of Collecting

Exhibit Details

September 15, 2018 - February 17, 2019
Opening Reception: September 14, 5:30 PM
Weisel and Kelly Galleries

This exhibition will trace the history and growth of the Museum’s permanent collection beginning with the initial acquisition, in 1928, of a landscape painting by Philadelphia artist Mary Butler. The exhibit will be divided into decades, presenting 10 objects per decade, and will examine the shifting trends, priorities, and diversity of the Museum’s permanent collection. This exhibition celebrates the Museum's 90th Anniversary and will consequently, present a history of the Museum's first 90 years through the lens of the permanent collection.  A wide range of objects will be exhibited including paintings, prints, ceramics, textiles, furniture, and historical objects, among many others.

Exhibit Resources

Tour the Virtual Exhibition

View the Exhibition Preview Video

Program Details

Curator's Tour: Thursday, November 1, 5:30 PM
Weisel and Kelly Galleries

Guided Decades Tours: 
Saturday, December 8, 11 AM
Wednesday, January 9, 11 AM
Thursday, January 31, 5 PM
Saturday, February 9, 1 PM
Weisel and Kelly Galleries

FREE Family Day: Friday, February 2, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

Join a scheduled guided group tour and explore highlights from the past 90 years of the collection. You can request your own guided group tour through February 17, 2019, free of charge, by contacting Museum Assistant Shauna Smith at (417) 837-5700 or slsmith@springfieldmo.gov. There is no minimum group number required to schedule a tour. Weekday and Weekend tours are available. Tours generally last one hour.

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featured works

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Thank you to our generous Decades Sponsors!