Closeup of "Baseball Player
Show Figure," Samuel Anderson Robb, promised gift of Millie and
Bill Gladstone.
Story and photos by R. Scudder Smith
NEW YORK CITY -- "Take Me Out To The Preview" was a better lyric
fit on Thursday night, June 5, when close to 400 people turned
out for a benefit and early peek at the new exhibition at the
American Folk Art Museum. "The Perfect Game, America Looks at
Baseball," will open to the public on June 17 and will be a real
treat, combining our popular American pastime with the
ever-growing interest in American folk art.
Yogi Berra (left) and Phil Rizzuto were among the honored
guests at the exhibit's preview party.
Exhibition curator Elizabeth V. Warren has pulled together items
from both museums and private collections, putting on view
wonderful pieces of sculpture, paintings, baseball games, signs,
ballpark seats, quilts, baseball cards and even croquet wickets
painted as baseball players. More than 100 works of art chronicle
the history of baseball and demonstrate the impact the sport has
had on American life.
Assisting in this exhibition were Margaret S. Smeal, assistant
exhibition curator; Michael Morris and Yoshiko Sato, exhibition
designers; and Linda Doherty, exhibition graphic designer.
Following a look at the early setup of the show and cocktails at
the museum, guests made a two-block walk to the Hilton where the
evening's program continued. Both a live and a silent auction
took place, raising more funds for the museum, and a special
presentation was made to Millie and Bill Gladstone who have been
longstanding friends and supporters of the American Folk Art
Museum. The dinner tables were dressed to meet the occasion, with
banners, baseball cards, balls and bat. Entertainment was by
MOMIX.
The exhibition will be on view until February 1, 2004, at 45
West 53rd Street. For more information, 212-265-1040.
