Potter College News

Contact:  Brent Bjorkman, Brent.Bjorkman@wku.edu, 270-745- 6261

Kentucky Museum to Feature Iconic Kentucky Trees as Part of its Fall Programming Series.

Bowling Green, KY:  The Kentucky Museum is pleased to host Salient Features: Trees of Old Forests and Woodland Pastures from August 21-December 1, 2018. This special exhibit celebrates the work of Kentucky-based artist Charles Brindley and is a time-honored tribute to the living world around us.

 “Charles Brindley’s work remains primarily focused on his home area, the natural karstland between the Nashville Basin and Kentucky’s Bluegrass. Already well-known for his environmental and architectural renderings, this exhibit is the first to highlight his love of and fascination with the woodland pasture tree, an iconic symbol of the Upland South” shares Kentucky Museum Director Brent Bjorkman, “Charles’ focus on the region’s pasture trees is a testament to his evolving grand work, his dedication to detail, and the pride he feels--that many of us feel--being connected to the distinctive landscape of South-Central Kentucky.”

“I have always been drawn to the karst landscape” says Charles Brindley, “Those areas that are defined by rich top soil underlain by limestone that yield beautiful and dramatic characteristic land forms that include alluvial plains and fertile fields along rivers and streams, gentle declivities, fissures, caves, sinkholes and copses.” Brindley’s interest in woodland pasture trees began in earnest in the mid-1980s, when he started working directly on site, creating large scale drawings of these majestic wonders. Since then, the artist has produced over 500 tree drawings and paintings, many of which are featured in the exhibit which runs through December 1^st. Charles Brindley is well-known for his artistic interpretations of such wonders as the Great Bur Oak of Pembroke, the Ancient Osage Orange of Harrodsburg, and one of the largest Sassafras trees in the world, located in Owensboro.  Tying in local campus culture the exhibit will also feature a “work-in-progress” by Brindley of a prized oak tree adjacent to Cherry Hall.

Since 1939, the Kentucky Museum has worked to celebrate and share with its visitors all aspects of the art, history, and culture emblematic of the South-Central region of the Commonwealth, including expressions related to the local environment. “Kentuckians need to know Kentucky” was the museum’s earliest conceptual framework, which took shape in the eyes of WKU’s founding president Henry Hardin Cherry. Nearly 80 years later the Kentucky Museum remains a steadfast educational campus partner helping to inspire innovation, elevate community, and transform the lives of our students and the community.

There will be a public opening for the Salient Features exhibit on Friday September 7^th from 5-7 pm.  Please join us at the Kentucky Museum.

Connect with us:

Kentucky Museum@WKU   https://www.wku.edu/kentuckymuseum/

Facebook   Kentucky Museum

Twitter    @TheKYMuseum

Instagram   TheKYMuseum