"Rosy Morning," an 1894 oil on canvas by George Inness (1825-1894), will be the centerpiece for Art of Hope, a grief support session led by Hunter Museum staff and an Avalon Hospice bereavement counselor. Part of the Hunter's permanent collection, the painting was a gift of the Joseph H. Davenport Jr. family in memory of Laura Voight and Joseph Howard Davenport.The monthly freebie night kicks off a busy week at the Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. Find out more at www.huntermuseum.org.
* Throwback Thursday and Art + Issues: This month's free admission night, aka Throwback Thursday, coincides with an Art + Issues program on "Gateways in Life and Nature." Science writer/editor Dick Morel will take a look into the animated world of insects as seen in the Charles Burchfield painting "Gateway to September."
Free admission starts at 4 p.m. today, Nov. 3. The Art + Issues program starts at 6 p.m.
* Examinations: The Hunter Collection Through Artists' Eyes: For this program, 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, artists from the Association for Visual Arts' "Examinations" exhibit will serve as guides to discuss their favorite works in the collection.
Examinations is a collaborative program in which artists are filmed reflecting on their favorite work from the Hunter, then participate in a group exhibit at AVA of work they created in response to these pieces. During this tour, guests will have the opportunity to hear more in-depth explanations from the artists. Scheduled to participate are Myles Freeman, Aaron Cowan, Laura Little, Josiah Golson and Heath Montgomery.
The tour is free with regular admission: $15 for ages 18 and older.
* Art of Hope: This grief support session will give participants a chance to use art to share feelings.
Set for noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, the program is designed for those who have lost a loved one and are seeking support and community before the holiday season. Hunter staff and bereavement counselor Cathy Meyer of Avalon Hospice will guide participants through a painting by George Inness as a way to reflect on loss, memorial and hope.
Participation is free, but registration is requested at 423-892-3737 or causey@huntermuseum.org.
' Spectrum: You still have a week to prepare for at least half of the museum's largest fundraiser. The silent auction is scheduled 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, with a $75 ticket. Tickets for the live auction and black-tie gala on Saturday, Nov. 12, are sold out, but you can ask to be put on a waiting list. The museum will close early, at 3 p.m., both days. Call 423-752-2045 for information.