Glenstone to Present Highlights of the Collection

Potomac, MD, February 22, 2023—Glenstone Museum today announced that it will present an expansive presentation of masterworks from its permanent collection of postwar and contemporary art. Opening in November 2023, the exhibition will include works by more than 50 artists who have made some of the most radical contributions to art of the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries.

Included in the selection will be important examples by artists who form the foundation of Glenstone’s collection, such as Alexander Calder, Lee Krasner, Agnes Martin, Joan Mitchell, Jackson Pollock, Martin Puryear, Bill Traylor, and Cy Twombly.

“I am pleased to celebrate the five-year anniversary of Glenstone’s expansion by affirming our mission of charting significant shifts in the perception and understanding of the art of our time,” said Emily Wei Rales, director and co-founder of Glenstone. “Every time we delve into the collection, we find new resonances and opportunities to illustrate the multiplicity of post-war art, the result of which is this dynamic exhibition. While the collection continues to grow and evolve, what hasn’t changed is our belief in the power of art to forge meaningful connections.”

Among the special offerings on view will be a dedicated gallery housing drawings by Willem de Kooning, emblematic of the artist’s energetic and expressive style, harkening back to the exhibition that first introduced Glenstone to the public in 2006. Other notable momentswill include three-dimensional sculptures and large drawings by Ruth Asawa, formative early works by photographer and multimedia artist Lorna Simpson, examples of Mildred Thompson’s masterful wood reliefs, and an early beveled painting by Sam Gilliam, a native of nearby Washington, D.C.

The presentation will also feature Tree of Knowledge, 1913–1915, a series of works on paper by Hilma af Klint. Acquired by Glenstone in 2022, the suite of eight drawings is the only work by the artist in an American museum collection. “While Glenstone focuses primarily on postwar art, the work of Hilma af Klint upended traditional art historical notions about the roots of pure abstraction,” said Nora Severson Cafritz, Senior Director of Collections. “This exhibition celebrates singular artists who have expanded our understanding of what art can achieve. At the top of that list is Hilma af Klint.”

The exhibition will remain on view in the Gallery building without a set closing date, allowing the public ample opportunity for repeat visits. The iterative nature of the presentation reflects Glenstone’s commitment to artists and to peer institutions, as objects on view will periodically be removed to go out on loan, extending their reach across the globe. Previous exhibitions at the Gallery have included thematic group exhibitions and monographic surveys featuring the works of Roni Horn, Louise Bourgeois, Peter Fischli David Weiss, Rirkrit Tiravanija, and R.H. Quaytman.

A full checklist will be made available closer to the opening. Works on view will be drawn entirely from Glenstone’s collection.

About Glenstone

Glenstone, a museum of modern and contemporary art, is integrated into nearly 300 acres of gently rolling pasture and unspoiled woodland in Montgomery County, Maryland, less than 15 miles from the heart of Washington, DC. Established by the not-for-profit Glenstone Foundation, the museum opened in 2006 and provides a contemplative, intimate setting for experiencing iconic works of art and architecture within a natural environment. The museum includes its original building, the Gallery, as well as additional structures opened in its 2018 expansion: the Arrival Hall (LEED platinum), the Pavilions, and the Café (both LEED gold).

Glenstone is open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are also invited to explore the grounds or participate in self-guided sculpture tours. Admission to Glenstone is free and visits can be scheduled online at: www.glenstone.org. Same-day visits can be scheduled online, when available.

Media Contacts
Erica Bogese, Senior Communications Manager, Glenstone Museum: erica.bogese@glenstone.org

Natalie Miller, Polskin Arts & Communications Counselors: natalie.miller@finnpartners.com