News Release: June 3, 2009

NEWS RELEASE Media contact:

Colleen Schafroth, Executive Director

(509) 773-3733, colleen@maryhillmuseum.org

Basket Making and King Lear at Stonehenge on Tap

During Maryhill's June 20 Family Fun Day

(GOLDENDALE, Wash., June 3, 2009) – An activity-packed day at Maryhill Museum of Art awaits the whole family on Saturday, June 20. Young visitors and their companions can take part in a basketry activity, there will be a full-day basket making workshop and an evening performance of King Lear set against the backdrop of Maryhill’s Stonehenge Memorial.

Family Fun: Fun With Art, 1 to 4 p.m.
Maryhill founder Sam Hill was passionate about Native American baskets and Maryhill’s collection includes nearly every basketmaking tradition and style in North America, from prehistoric through contemporary. This Family Fun Day program gives families an opportunity to explore basketry at the museum and then create their own paper basket with a design based on those forms. Children under 17 are admitted free to the museum with one paid adult admission for all Family Fun activities.

Weave an Egg Basket, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hand-woven ribbed baskets made from willow were known by many names, from melon baskets or egg baskets, to buttocks baskets, fanny baskets, peanut baskets, gizzard baskets, and bow baskets. The British brought this style of basketry to the American colonies in the 19th century and a willow basketry industry flourished in New York and Pennsylvania, where weavers began to experiment with native materials such as sea grasses, vines and native woods. In this workshop, basket maker and teacher Laurie Cross will lead participants in creating one of these traditional baskets, using seagrass and reeds. Cost is $85 and includes lunch and all materials. Register early – space is limited to 10 participants.

King Lear at Maryhill’s Stonehenge, 7:30 p.m.

The Portland Actor’s Ensemble presents the tragedy of King Lear, one of Shakespeare’s greatest works, set against the incomparable backdrop of Maryhill’s full-sized replica of England’s Stonehenge. King Lear is tale of greed, deceit, love and revenge that centers around the proud King Lear, who declares his intention to divide his kingdom between his three daughters based on which one loves him most. This production is part of The Portland Actors Ensemble’s Shakespeare-in-the-Parks program, which makes classical theater accessible to audiences in non-traditional environments. The performance of King Lear is free; donations will be accepted.

CURRENT EXHIBITS:

Maryhill's permanent exhibits feature a large collection of works by Rodin, European and American paintings, objects d'art from the palaces of the Queen of Romania, Orthodox icons, unique chess sets, the renowned Théâtre de la Mode and an extensive Native American collection. The following temporary exhibits are currently on view: Hudson River School Sojourn: Paintings From the Collection of Dr. Michel Hersen and Victoria Hersen (through July 8) and the annual Outdoor Sculpture Invitational (through October 4).

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ABOUT MARYHILL MUSEUM OF ART:

Housed in a glorious Beaux Arts mansion on 5,300 acres high above the Columbia River, Maryhill Museum of Art is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most enchanting cultural destinations. Founded by Northwest entrepreneur and visionary Sam Hill, Maryhill opened to the public in 1940; today the museum boasts a world-class permanent collection, rotating exhibitions of the highest caliber, and dynamic educational programs that provide opportunities for further exploration by visitors of all ages.

The museum’s collection includes more than 80 works by Auguste Rodin, European and American paintings, objects d'art from the palaces of the Queen of Romania, Orthodox icons, unique chess sets, and the renowned Théâtre de la Mode, featuring small-scale mannequins attired in designer fashions of post-World War II France. Baskets of the indigenous people of North America were a collecting interest of Sam Hill; today the museum’s Native American collection represents nearly every tradition and style in North America, with works of art from prehistoric through contemporary.

Maryhill’s Outdoor Sculpture Garden features work from the permanent collection by Tom Herrera, Mel Katz, Heath Krieger, Alisa Looney, Jill Torberson, Julian Voss-Andreae, Jeff Weitzel and Leon White. Each year the museum also hosts an Outdoor Sculpture Invitational showcasing artists of the Northwest. The Maryhill Overlook is a site-specific sculpture by noted Portland architect Brad Cloepfil; nearby are Lewis and Clark interpretive panels. Four miles east of Maryhill is a life-sized replica of Stonehenge, Stonehenge Memorial, which Sam Hill built to memorialize local men who perished in World War I. Nearby, the Klickitat County War Memorial honors those who have died in service of their country since World War I.

The museum was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. In 2001 the museum was listed as an official site of the National Historic Lewis and Clark Trail and in 2002 was accredited by the American Association of Museums.

VISITOR INFORMATION:

Maryhill Museum of Art is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 15 to November 15. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $2 for children age 6-16. Admission to the Stonehenge Memorial is free; it is open from 7:00 a.m. to dusk daily.

Sandwiches, salads, espresso drinks, cold beverages, and freshly baked desserts and pastries are available at Café Maryhill; the Museum Store features art and history books, jewelry, Native American crafts and other mementos.

Maryhill is located off Highway 97, 12 miles south of Goldendale, Washington. Drive times to the museum are 2 hours from Portland/Vancouver, 3.5 hours from Bend, 4 hours from Seattle, and 1.5 hours from Yakima. For further information, visit maryhillmuseum.org.

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