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Gallery Hours: Monday - Thursday 12 noon - 9:30pm
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The 20th century has seen a plethora of art movements in the United States. The century began with American artists travelling abroad to seek advanced training in Europe in the styles of the post-Impressionists and other European artists. As America entered the world stage in areas of politics, economics, and culture, American artists also emerged to take a place in the world community with new ideas and inspirations.
Twentieth century American art has moved from a tradition of art for and of the elite toward a greater understanding of the entire American community. As an increased diversity of subject matter and artists has become commonplace, new art movements have also developed. Twentieth century art is marked by a dialogue between realism and abstraction, beginning with the Impressionists of the 19th century and continuing through Photorealism and Abstract Expressionism. All of these developments, however, took place within the larger context of American society. American politics, economics, and values all had an effect on the development of 20th century art, including the ability of women and minority artists to gain recognition in a traditionally male sphere. American artists have provided more than an illustration to history in the past century. Often artists have served as a catalyst for change, highlighting portions of American society that are in need of reform as the "Ashcan School" did in the 1910s and artists like Faith Ringgold and Carrie Mae Weems have done for African Americans and women in the last decades of the 20th century. Other artists, including the regionalists of the 1920s and 30s, captured parts of American society that were in danger of being forgotten. Studying the art and artists of America's past can also provide an understanding of where our country has been. Artists reflect the radical and revolutionary segments of society, such as Miriam Schapiro - a pioneer in the women's movement- as well as more mainstream values and ideals, for example Elizabeth O' Neill Verner who as a product of her time and place reflected ideas of racism and discrimination.
The study of American history along with the history of American art provides a greater understanding of the timing and significance of certain events and movements. Art is intimately linked to American society both by what it takes from society and what it offers to our culture. The developments of American art in the 20th century, therefore, are presented here within the context of the social, cultural, and political events that were occurring in the United States.
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