Welcome from the Director

From its position as the nation's premiere collection of American art and archival material, Gilcrease Museum is uniquely suited to present exhibitions and programming that is as rich and diverse as the stories that make up our nation's history and culture.

During the 2011-12 season, Gilcrease will feature exhibitions that draw heavily from its sweeping permanent American collection. Museum visitors will be able to immerse themselves into the American experience from the period before Columbus' arrival through the Dust Bowl days of the early 20th century. The upcoming Gilcrease Museum season promises to be sweeping in both chronology and scope.

As the museum prepares to tell these remarkable stories, we find ourselves with the opportunity to reexamine how we present the museum's masterworks in the American West gallery. These beloved works will be reinstalled in a new, provocative exhibition as we make way for the much-heralded arrival in June of Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon. The museum staff is excited for the dual opportunity to re-imagine our permanent exhibits while presenting a national traveling exhibition that will provide a closer examination of our first president.

In conjunction with these exhibits, our education staff also is preparing programming designed to engage museum attendees of all ranges.

Whatever the reason or season, we hope you will visit us and discover the many treasures that Gilcrease has to offer.

Duane H. King