The Museum of Art – DeLand is presenting an exhibit of 48 works by 26 outsider artists, now through May 8. The exhibit, titled “The Outsiders,” features pieces from the museum’s permanent collection and from the private collection of Greg and Beth Milliken.
The permanent collection of the Museum of Art – DeLand includes a significant selection of works by self-taught artists, many of them now recognized and collected throughout the world.
Greg and Beth Milliken, longtime museum members, museum volunteers and avid art collectors, graciously lent prime examples of outsider work for this exhibition, including pieces by Harold Finster, Jimmy Lee Sudduth and Florida Highwayman Harold Newton.
ARTWORK
COURTESY MUSEUM OF ART – DELAND
“We have always enjoyed art, but discovered a passion for outsider art not long after we moved to Florida in 1997. We were drawn to the vibrancy and spontaneity of the art and its frequent themes of spirituality and life in the American South. The artist’s backstories can be fascinating, and good pieces were, and still are, pretty affordable,” said Greg Milliken. “Our collection is purely a reflection of our own tastes. We have pieces in the exhibition by some of the acknowledged masters, as well as works by relatively unknown artists.”
“We always say, after buying a new piece, that this will be our last one. That is … until we find the next one! We both have to agree on a piece before it is added to the collection and luckily we both tend to know it when we see it,” Beth Milliken added.
A gallery talk and tour will be presented by the Millikens 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at the museum’s main location, 600 N. Woodland Blvd. Light refreshments will be served 5:30-6 p.m., with the gallery talk 6-7 p.m.
Admission is free to museum members and costs $10 for nonmembers. Seating is limited, and RSVPs are required. Call 386-734-4371.
