Storrs, CT, May 27, 2010 -- While the exhibition galleries are closed for interior renovation work, the University of Connecticut's William Benton Museum of Art is hosting an extensive summer schedule of free events for art lovers of all ages, beginning June 3rd with a "Treasures from the Vault" talk about a mixed media work by outsider artist Howard Finster and a June 4th film showing of Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision.

June 3, 12:15 pm, The Benton Atrium
TREASURES FROM THE VAULT art talk: "Inside an Outsider: A Mixed Media Work by Self-taught Artist Howard Finster"

June 4, 12:15 pm, The Atrium
FRIDAY FILM: Maya Lin:  A Strong Clear Vision (1995).  This 1995 Academy Award-winning documentary film profiles the architect of the Vietnam War Memorial and discusses the emotional human responses her architectural designs elicit. [83 min.]

June 9, 12:15 pm
CAMPUS ART WALK, leaving from the Benton

June 10, 12:15 pm
COURTYARD CONCERT:  The Sophisticats perform jazz, swing, blues and original compositions

June 11, 12:15 pm, The Atrium
FRIDAY FILM: The Mystery of Picasso. Renowned French filmmaker Henri-Georges Clouzot follows his dear friend Pablo Picasso through the creation of twenty pieces that the artist made specifically for this film and that no longer exist except here. [75 min.]

June 17, 12:15 pm, The Atrium
TREASURES FROM THE VAULT art talk: All Alone, All Together: Etchings of the Urban Scene by Martin Lewis.

June 18, 12:15 pm
FRIDAY FILM: Roy Lichtenstein. In a laid-back interview format, the renowned American pop artist talks openly about his process, his life work and the influences of advertising and comic book art. [53 min.]

June 24, 12:15 pm
COURTYARD CONCERT: An Irish Jam Session to which visitors are invited to bring their fiddles and flutes and join in the fun.

June 25 12:15 pm
FRIDAY FILM: I.M. Pei – First Person Singular / The Museum on the Mountain (2003). These two films give us a peek into the mind, life and artistic philosophy of architect I.M. Pei. First Person Singular reveals his fascination with structural geometry while The Museum on the Mountain tells the story of the conception, design, and building of Japan’s majestic Miho Museum. First Person Singular [85 min.] The Museum on the Mountain [45 min.]
  
The entire Summer Events Schedule appears below.

The Store at the Benton and The Beanery coffee shop are open Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 am–3 pm through August 6. The Benton will be closed July 2–6 for Independence Day weekend.

The William Benton Museum is located at the University of Connecticut, 245 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT 06269. Ph 860.486.4530. http://www.thebenton.org.

SUMMER 2010 EVENTS AT THE BENTON

CAMPUS ART WALKS, 12:15 pm
Forty-five minute docent-led walks and talks about distinctive art on display around the Storrs campus. Weather permitting.
Wednesdays, June 9 and 23, July 7 and 21 

COURTYARD CONCERTS, 12:15 pm, The Benton Garden
Free courtyard concerts are a summertime tradition at the Benton. Visitors are invited to bring their lunch and their friends for a welcome respite from the heat.  
June 10: The Sophisticats will play a program of jazz, swing, blues and original compositions.
June 24: Dora Hast will led an Irish Jam Session, with visitors encouraged to bring their fiddles and flutes and join the fun.
July 8: Seldom Heard will perform eclectic folk favorites.
The Benton Courtyard Concert Series is co-sponsored by the Department of Student Activities / Programs Office.

TREASURES FROM THE VAULT: Thursday Art Talks, 12:15 pm
A special work from the Benton's collection will be displayed in the Atrium outside the Evelyn Simon Gilman Gallery and will be the subject of a lunchtime talk by a member of the museum's Docent Program. Talks begin at 12:15 pm
June 3: Inside an Outsider: A Mixed Media Work by Self-taught Artist Howard Finster
June 17: All Alone, All Together: Etching of the Urban Scene by Martin Lewis
July 15: Confronting Race, Memory and Identity: Works by Contemporary Artists Carrie Mae Weems and Deborah Willis
July 29: Off the Boardwalk: Lesser Known Locals by Reginald Marsh

FRIDAY FILMS / Showtime: 12:15 pm. 
June 4: Maya Lin:  A Strong Clear Vision (1995)  This 1995 Academy Award-winning documentary film profiles the architect of the Vietnam War Memorial and discusses the emotional human responses her architectural designs elicit. [83 min.]
June 11: The Mystery of Picasso (1956)  Renowned French filmmaker Henri-Georges Clouzot follows his dear friend Pablo Picasso through the creation of twenty pieces the artist made specifically for this film and no longer exist except here.  [75 min.]
June 18: Roy Lichtenstein (1991)  In a laid-back interview format, the renowned American pop artist talks openly about his process, his life work and the influences of advertising and comic book art. [53 min.]
June 25: I.M. Pei – First Person Singular/The Museum on the Mountain (2003)  These two films give us a peek into the mind, life and artistic philosophy of architect I.M. Pei. His childhood, education, and experiences reveal his fascination with structural geometry in First Person Singular, while The Museum on the Mountain tells the story of the conception, design, and building of Japan’s majestic Miho Museum.  First Person Singular [85 min.] / The Museum on the Mountain [45 min.] 
July 9: How to Draw a Bunny (2002)  Friends and contemporaries shed light on the reclusive life of Ray Johnson, underground pop artist and founding father of mail art.  The New York Post called this Sundance Film Festival winner “Enticing and funny!” [90 min.] 
July 16: Annie Leibovitz:  Life Through a Lens (2007) This look at the acclaimed photographer's life unfolds through interviews with her and some of her most famous subjects, mentors and colleagues. [83 min.]
July 23: Helvetica (2007)  Typography, graphic design and global visual culture are the subjects of this witty, intelligent and captivating documentary that looks at one typeface as part of a larger conversation type as it affects our lives. [80 min.] 
July 30: Andy Goldsworthy’s Rivers and Tides (2001) This portrait of the revered Scottish sculptor known for his rock walls, icicle assemblages and other intricate, druidic masterpieces is a study of the fragile relationship between man, art and nature. [90 min.]
DRAWING WORKSHOPS, July 14 and 28, 1–4 pm: Benton Education Coordinator Tracy Lawlor will lead drawings sessions around the Storrs campus where participants can sketch the gardens, stone walls, farm animals, and scenes that pique their interest.
TANGLEWOOD TRIP, Friday, August 20: Each year the Benton arranges a trip to Tanglewood and this year is no exception. Soprano Dawn Upshaw is the featured soloist wit the Boston Symphony Orchestra. For details, call Lynn Eriksson at 860.486.1709 or email her at lynn.eriksson@uconn.edu.
Please check our website [www.thebenton.org] and Facebook for the most up-to-date information.

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