Ball State’s David Owsley Museum of Art Brings Elizabeth Catlett Scholar Dr. Melanie Anne Herzog to Muncie, Oct. 10

Topics: Arts and Culture, College of Fine Arts, Muncie, Speakers

October 7, 2024

The David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) at Ball State University will host a public lecture by Melanie Anne Herzog on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. Dr. Herzog is a noted scholar on Elizabeth Catlett, the artist and activist featured in DOMA's current special exhibition.

The Art of Elizabeth Catlett from the Collection of Samella Lewis is on view at DOMA now through Dec. 20, 2024, and showcases sculptures, paintings, and prints by one of the most significant African American artists of the 20^th century. The exhibition features works from the collection of Dr. Samella Lewis (1923-2022), a renowned artist, educator, and author who was a student of Ms. Catlett's in the 1940s and became a lifelong friend.

Dr. Herzog's public talk entitled "From a Necessity Within My People: The Art of Elizabeth Catlett" will provide Ball State's diverse community and residents across East Central Indiana with an opportunity to learn more about this influential artist.

"I invite everyone to join us and learn more about Elizabeth Catlett's life and art," said Robert G. La France, director of the David Owsley Museum of Art. "Dr. Herzog is the pre-eminent scholar on the subject. We are proud to host her and the type of exhibition you can see in larger cities like Brooklyn, Washington, and Chicago."

A 5 p.m. public reception at DOMA will allow visitors to view the exhibitionprior to the 6 p.m. talk in Recital Hall. This event is part of Ball State's Arts Alive series, presented by the University's College of Fine Arts. The exhibition is organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, and brought to Ball State by the Friends of the David Owsley Museum of Art.

Visit DOMA's website for more information on the exhibition and details on other upcoming programs, including a free screening of "Standing Strong: Elizabeth Catlett" at Pruis Hall at 6 p.m. on Nov. 12, 2024.

Unless noted otherwise for breaks and special events, DOMA is open to the public 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. There is no admission fee.