I had the pleasure of attending the ASID Annual Membership Mixer at the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts on Thursday evening and was astounded to find a hidden gem!  Hugh Grant, the creator, curator and guiding light of the Kirkland Museum has done a masterful job of putting together a wealth of pieces from the past 100 years, including a collection that showcases the depth and quality of art in Colorado.  Hugh speaks of the collections with passion paired with a wonderful sense of humor.  His eyes sparkle as he talks about the history of the museum,  his experiences with Vance Kirkland and the collections he has created…and his enthusiasm is contagious.

Hugh Grant - Founder, Director and Curator of the Kirkland Museum for Fine and Decorative Arts

The museum houses three primary collections, an international decorative arts collection, a regional collection with a focus on Colorado art, and a retrospective of the work of Vance Kirkland.

The three collections make Kirkland Museum different than other museums and the “salon style” pairing of furniture, art and decorative accessories in which they are displayed gives the visitor a museum experience that is more like walking into one’s home.  In one of the rooms there were “Piranha” chairs from  Pierre Sala, dinnerware from Frank Lloyd Wright,colorful paintings from Vance Kirkland and art pieces from various Colorado artists.  What could be a horrific mish-mash if not put together just right, was curated so beautifully as to draw your eye from one piece to the next without the sense of anything being out of sync. It was the perfect venue for a gathering of interior designers!

ASID Annual Members Mixer at the Kirkland Museum

Historic Original Studio

Below are some images from both the Kirkland Museum website and Wikipedia showing the explosive colors and the eclectic mix you will find throughout the Museum.  Be sure to explore every floor as well as the sculpture garden – you wouldn’t want to miss anything!

"Invasions of Mysteries near Scorpio" by Vance Kirkland

"Farewell Summer" by Edward Marecak

Studio exhibition room including Chair, early 1960s, by Charles Deaton (1921-1996), from his Sculptured House, Genesee, Colorado; 2 – Door Cabinet, 1968, by Paul Evans (1931-1987); “JESTER” Modular Sofa/ Chairs, 1991, by GAETANO PESCE, (Italian, b. 1939); and Heart Chair, 1958, designed by Verner Panton (Danish, 1926-1998) mfr: Fritz Hansen, Allerod, Denmark (1872-1998).

The below vignette illustrates the

Interior of the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art; featuring a Frank Lloyd Wright dinette and Vance Kirkland Paintings

The Denver Post  mentions “Indians on the Platte River” by Charles Steward Stobie in the article by Ray Mark Rinaldi   on how Hugh Grant is working to build the reputation of Colorado Art through his collection.

Indians on the Platte River, 1888, by Charles Stewart Stobie (1845-1931), Oil on canvas, Collection of Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.

I purchased a membership for myself and a guest because I can’t wait to go back and spend more time immersed in the world of the Kirkland Museum.  To find out more,  subscribe to “The Dot” their wonderful blog where you can keep up with their exhibits, collections and newsworthy events.

Photo Images 1,2  Lynne Bier – Home on the Range  Photo Images3-6,8  the Kirkland Museum of Fine Art and Photo Image 7  Wikipedia