FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Images available upon request.
Audubon: Drawn to Nature opens at the IMA April 1
Exhibition will showcase 75 detailed prints by John James Audubon
INDIANAPOLIS, March 14, 2017—This spring, experience nature indoors and out with Audubon: Drawn
to Nature at the Indianapolis Museum of Art from April 1 through July 30.
The exhibition will feature the stunning works of John James Audubon, a key figure in ornithology,
American art and conservation. Audubon: Drawn to Nature will showcase 75 of the masterful handcolored etchings of birds that Audubon observed and hunted while living on the American frontier in the
early 1800s. All the prints in the exhibition are on loan from a private collection.
From owls to herons, to pelicans and flamingos, all of these amazing birds were part of Audubon’s
masterpiece, The Birds of America. To capture the country’s greatest birds Audubon sat patiently in the
wild, carefully noting the characteristics, habits and habitats of nearly 500 distinct American species. For
the first time in history in a publication people could see the incredible nature of America’s birds through
images of lifelike poses within their natural habitat. The drawings were accompanied by text from
Audubon’s field notes which are quoted throughout the exhibition.
The exhibition offers an appreciation of the abundance and diversity of American wild-life in pre-industrial
America including many species that are now rare or extinct .The exhibition weaves a path through
several galleries that are designed to follow Audubon’s footsteps around the country between 1820 and
1836 in his quest to capture the breadth of our young nation’s avian life. Guests can also experience an
immersive gallery that will transport them to the woods and swamps of Audubon’s time.
Bring the whole family to explore and learn more about birds from different regional areas. Inside the
museum, guests can expand their Audubon experience with Observation Guide Books and compare their
wingspan to that of popular species. The adventure continues outdoors with selfie stations of replica birds
perched on benches, a life size eagle’s nest in Alice’s Garden and bird viewing stations.
Continue your exploration into the world of birds at the IMA with two other complementing exhibitions:
The Bird of Celéste Boursier-Mougenot: A Film by Ariane Michel, features a video of the installation from
here to ear (1999-ongoing) by French artist Celéste Boursier-Mougenot. The video depicts a gallery
transformation into an aviary furnished with Gibson guitars and amplifiers. Throughout, zebra finches
perch and pluck on various musical instruments to create a living and improvisational soundscape.
Paula McCartney: Bird Watching will feature photographs by McCartney of a variety of natural settings
with carefully placed craft store songbirds to create enhanced landscapes. McCartney brought her own
craft birds on trips to the woods to create the idealized scenes of her fantasies, where songbirds perched
patiently on trees as she photographed them.
On the first weekend in April celebrate art and nature with the opening of our special exhibitions and our
Spring Blooms: Celebration of Color garden experience featuring 250,000 blooming bulbs. Take a
breathtaking stroll around the campus with each twist and turn unveiling a new splash of color from
crimson tulips to golden daffodils and much, much more.
Bring the whole gang on April 1 to a day filled with activities for all ages. Start the morning off with Cereal
Cinema: Follow that Bird and Family Day: Flowers & Feathers. At Family Day view beautiful flowers, listen
to music and create your own felt birdhouse. Paula McCartney, the artist behind Paula McCartney: Bird
Watching will also be creating an interactive still life display station.
Audubon: Drawn to Nature is presented by the Eli Lilly and Co. Foundation and The Alliance of the IMA.
Lead support is provided by Wild Birds Unlimited with contributing support from Gary and Hannah
Hirschberg, Goldman Sachs & Co. Support for related education programs is provided by Christel
DeHaan Family Foundation in honor of the children and families of Christel House.
For more information about upcoming spring events, visit www.imamuseum.org.
About the Indianapolis Museum of Art
The Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) is located on a 152-acre campus of lush gardens, historic homes,
outdoor sculptures, inspiring performance and gallery spaces. Founded in 1883, the IMA is among the 10
oldest and 10 largest encyclopedic art museums in the United States and features significant collections
of African, American, Asian, European, contemporary art and design arts that span 5,000 years of history.
With innovative programming to engage guests of all ages, the IMA offers a variety of interactive
experiences inside the galleries, throughout the campus and within the local community. From gardening
demos in the Madeline F. Elder Greenhouse to outdoor film screenings in the IMA Amphitheater to
community celebrations in The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, guests are invited to
interact with art and nature in exciting new ways at the IMA. Along with the Indianapolis campus, the IMA
also owns the Miller House and Garden in Columbus, Ind., one of the nation’s most highly regarded
examples of mid-century Modernist residences. For more information visit www.imamuseum.org.
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Media Contacts:
Mattie Lindner
Communications Coordinator
317-923-1331 ext. 265
[email protected]
Stephanie Perry
Assistant Director of Communications
317-923-1331 ext. 231
[email protected]