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Front Cover
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Gari Melchers' painting, In Old Virginia, is featured on the cover of the "U.S. Embassy Bern ART in Embassies" exhibition catalog. Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Donald Beyer, Jr. is the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. He selected In Old Virginia from Belmont's collection to hang in his official residence in Bern. |
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Cross Timbers Roofing from Richmond, a sub-contractor of Norman Company Inc., General Contractors, is putting a cedar shingle roof on the Smoke House as the restoration of the Belmont outbuildings is nearing completion. |
| What is Gari Holding? | |
Gari Melchers painted Self-Portrait (left) in 1896 when he was 36 years old. He is holding a statuette of Eve, which is in the Belmont collection and currently on display in the Studio Room.
Eve is a replica of the original, owned by the Schloss Friedenstein museum in Gotha, Germany, by the 16th century German sculptor Conrad Meit. The sculptor also produced a curly-haired Adam, which is owned by the same museum.
Eve on display at Belmont. |
It is likely that Gari's father, Julius Melchers, kept this plaster cast in his studio for students to copy. Thanks to Marcel Rotter, University of Mary Washington associate professor of German, for his help identifying this statue. |
| Wish List | | 
Our groundskeeper, Dave Ludeker, does the lion's share of snow shoveling here at Belmont when wintry weather hits.
Although the epic winter of '09 is behind us, Dave's back is still recovering from shoveling the sidewalk again and again and again.
Please consider donating a new or gently-used snow blower to Belmont - just one of the many items on our Wish List.
Dave will thank you! |
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At Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, see the richly furnished country house and working studio of American Impressionist painter Gari Melchers (1860-1932) as they appeared in the 1920s. Explore the colorful formal gardens and wooded hiking trails of the artist's 27-acre retreat. Enjoy special exhibitions of the art of Melchers and his contemporaries. |
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Exhibitions
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Julia and Ivan by Gari Melchers, ca. 1921, pastel and crayon on paper
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"Gari Melchers' Works on Paper: Highlights from the Collection"
On Display through Nov. 21
Curatorial Intern and University of Mary Washington senior Davida "Vida" Austin has selected nearly 20 works on paper for this temporary exhibition.
Vida's selections represent a survey of styles and subjects that show Melchers' development as an artist on paper and that span nearly his entire career.
The subject matter is wide-ranging and includes everything from portraits and landscapes to figurative interiors.
"The New Reality: The Frontier of Realism in the 21st Century"
Happiness (Gianna) by Lorena Kloosterboer, 2006, acrylic on masonite | Upcoming Dec. 1 through Feb. 27
This traveling exhibition, organized by the International Guild of Realism, looks at the state of Realism painting around the world and compares these artworks with their historical predecessors. What is Realism?
Read in-depth explanations regarding the technique, inspiration, and artistic message of featured artist Lorena Kloosterboer's whose artwork is pictured left.
Comparative historical image selected by Kloosterboer: Leon Bonnat's Roman Girl at a Fountain, 1875 | The 65 paintings included in this juried show comprise a wide variety of painting media, including oil paint, acrylic, egg tempura, graphite, and colored pencil. The exhibition gives viewers a snapshot of how Realist artists are approaching their art form today.
Each artist was asked to identify one historical painting (a small image of the comparative image will be included as part of the wall label) to compare and contrast to their modern-day work.
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Programs & Events
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"Map and Compass Skills Workshop"
Saturday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Would you know what to do if your GPS broke? Join Dave Ludeker, U.S. Army Special Forces, Ret. and Belmont's head of maintenance, to learn how to find your way using a map and compass.
A classroom presentation will be followed by a hands-on exercise in the Belmont woodlands. All materials are included. Bring a bag lunch and wear long sleeves, pants, and sturdy shoes. Ages 13 and up. Class limited to 20. Reservations required. Call 540/654-1307. Free.
Woodland Walk
Sunday, October 31, 2 p.m.
 This free tour, which begins outside the Visitor Center, will take place rain or shine. Reservations are not necessary. Thank you to members of the Central Rappahannock Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists who volunteer their time to lead these popular tours. Can't make the monthly tour? No problem, we have trail guides in the Visitor Center so guests may take self-guided tours anytime.
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| Secretariat Saturday | |
An Evening with Kate Chenery Tweedy
November 6, 5:30 p.m.
Photo by Bob Coglianese
 | Join the director and staff of Gari Melchers Home and Studio for a special evening with Kate Chenery Tweedy, the daughter of the first lady of racing, Penny Chenery, the owner of thoroughbred legend Secretariat. Inspired by her years living at The Meadow, her family home in Caroline County, Va., Ms. Tweedy has written an intimate history of Secretariat's birthplace and its legacy.
Secretariat's Meadow: The Land, The Family, The Legend is Kate Chenery Tweedy's third book, and as part of this event she will speak about the creative team effort that produced "America's Super Horse." Tweedy will be available to sign copies of Secretariat's Meadow (available for the discounted price of $21.95 for those attending the dinner), purchased exclusively from the Museum Shop.
Invitations will be mailed the first week of October. The cost of the event, which includes cocktails and dinner, is $100 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Melchers Advisory Council Exhibition Fund.
For more information contact Special Events Coordinator Betsy Labar at 540/654-1848. |
| Museum Shop | |
The Museum Shop is pleased to offer these featured items related to our upcoming events.
Silva 1-2-3 Starter Compass  |
The Horse in Virginia: An Illustrated History by Julie A. Campbell
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Secretariat's Meadow: The Land, The Family, The Legend by Kate Chenery Tweedy |
Remarkable Trees of Virginia by Nancy Ross Hugo and Jeffery Kirwan | |
| Symposium Participants to Visit Belmont | |
Stratford Hall Great House
 | Third Cultural Landscapes of the Northern Neck Symposium: The Designed Landscape
October 22-24
This public symposium, organized by Stratford Hall, will look closely at some of the important early formal gardens and pleasure grounds in this region through lectures and visits to historic gardens and landscapes.
On Sunday, October 24, symposium participants will tour important early designed landscapes and falling gardens in Falmouth and Fredericksburg. These will include Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, Chatham, and the Sentry Box. Belmont Buildings & Grounds Preservation Supervisor Beate Jensen will assist with the tour.
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