The BIG NEWS is that a well known Phd in the Artworld has published an Article on Noel Rockmore as part of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities - KNOW LA Research Project. J. Richard Gruber Phd. is director emeritus of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and an independent curator, art historian, and writer of the article. When we first started this quest for Rockmore recognition post Katrina we were told that in order to get Artworld recognition you needed a well known Phd. to publish an article. It's hard because we found out that you can't approach these folks if you have a vested interest in the artist - you just have to hope that if you create enough attention one day it will happen on its own. We all but gave up on that concept and then just like that - IT HAS HAPPENNED!
On Friday October 5th, Rich & Tee & Shirley will be attending the LASM (Louisiana Arts & Science Museum) Golden Anniversary Gala for a fabulous evening of fun. What better way to start our return to Louisiana then with an event at the Museum that will celebrate Noel Rockmore and Shirley Marvin in the early Fall of 2013. Our GEFQ Non Profit Foundation has donated a signed Ali-Spinks Silkscreen by Rockmore in appreciation. Please let us know if we might see you there or if you know anyone involved that would be a "Great to meet" to support the cause. Interesting to note that Shirley Marvin's Best friend Original LASM Curator Adelaide Brent had Shirley involved at the very start including The Rockmore Show there in 1964.
On Thursday October 11th from 6-7PM, Rich & Tee & Shirley will be going to The Old US Mint (Louisiana State Museum) in New Orleans, to attend Rockmore supporter, Claudia Kheel's lecture on 'When Art & Music Met: The Legacy of Preservation Hall." Claudia will explore the complex interplay between music and the visual arts in the works of Noel Rockmore, Sister Gertrude Morgan, Lee Friedlander and other artists associated with Preservation Hall. Once again, Shirley Marvin was there at the beginning of Preservation Hall and part of the inner circle of characters that Claudia will be discussing. Read more about it on Facebook here and again, let us know if we might see you there. This Preservation Hall Film -just released produced by Brad Paul- is a GREAT FILM!
Speaking of Facebook, Bon jour to all of our new Facebook fans especially the very large contingent from France. We are at over 1800 Facebook fans on The Noel Rockmore Facebook Page and hope to pass 2000 in the very near future. To put it in perspective George Rodrigue is at 3500, LASM 2300, LaGrange Art Museum 1000, Ogden Museum 1800, HNOC 6200, NOMA 10,000, Pres Hall 11,000. Why so many Rockmore fans from France? Qui sait, mais ils aiment Rockmore et nous les aimons!Viva la France!
We were inspired by the following George Bernard Shaw quote that our Rabbi used in his High Holiday Sermon. " I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no "brief candle" for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which we have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."
That feels like it applies to all of us YOU ORIGINAL Rockmore fans! Our little candle that Shirley Marvin kept in her storage keeps burning brighter as the world discovers Noel Rockmore. We are all carrying this candle as we work as hard as we can to make it a splendid torch. Imagine being in your 90th year and seeing this happen with all your family and friends after 52 years of carrying that candle! Thanks Shirley - BEST LIFE ADVENTURE EVER!
Here we go Team Rockmore, much more work to do!
Rich & Tee & Shirley Marvin
The Noel Rockmore Project Team
www.Rockmore.org
This coming Sunday September 30th at 9PM ET on eBay, the 10 works below from the Shirley Marvin Collection will be auctioned.
