Exhibition Provides Extensive Look into Tsar Nicholas II’s Life

Portrait of Nicholas II

When asked to describe the Georgia Museum of Art’s newest exhibition, “The Reluctant Autocrat: Tsar Nicholas II,” head preparator Todd Rivers said that it stands out to him in two distinct ways. First, the show consists of “artifacts from all walks of Nicholas II’s life: birth, childhood, coronation and legacy,” he said. Rivers also noted the show is comprehensive in that it “encompasses almost every form of art including ceramics, lithographs, photographs, icons, medals, uniforms, paintings, jewelry, coins and more.”

The exhibition, which focuses on Alexander III and the final Russian emperor, Nicholas II, opens this Saturday, December 22. It is arranged in a logical, easy-to-follow design across five galleries for all visitors to enjoy, regardless of their level of background knowledge. “I love this show because it tells such a clear story,” preparator Elizabeth Howe said, “You get to see the same people, the same clothing and the same imagery across all of the different works, and you can easily recognize the narrative.”

For visitors who wish to gain a deeper understand of the show, however, Howe strongly recommends attending one of Asen Kirin’s tours. The Parker Curator of Russian Art has a detailed familiarity with not only the works of art, but also the subjects and events surrounding them.

Visitors can come to Kirin’s “Tour at Two” on January 23 at 2 p.m. should they want to witness this extensive knowledge firsthand. Other programs related to this exhibition include Elegant Salute XVI, 90 Carlton: Winter, Toddler Tuesday: Treasure Hunt and Family Day: Russian Embroidery.

The holiday season is in full swing, and this free exhibition is the perfect experience for both friends and families who are in Athens for a few days and locals who are looking for fun destinations this winter. The museum will be closed on December 25 and January 1, but will otherwise hold normal hours. “The Reluctant Autocrat: Tsar Nicholas II” will be on view December 22, 2018, through March 17, 2019.

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Taylor Lear

Department of Communications

Georgia Museum of Art Provides Entertainment for Community During Holiday Season

The holidays are upon us, and many relatives are in town from all over the country to be with family and friends. For those looking to entertain out-of-town guests, the Georgia Museum of Art is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. With several events, tours and exhibitions on display, the museum has offerings for all ages and interests. Because both Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Mondays this year, those two holidays will not affect the museum’s normal schedule. We will be open to the public Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sundays 1 – 5 p.m., with the museum closed on Mondays as usual.

In addition to our normal hours, there are several public events coming up, which are convenient and fun ways to spend some time with loved ones. Tonight, visitors can enjoy coffee, dessert and a gallery tour at the museum prior to the performance in Hodgson Hall by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, performing selections from Handel’s Messiah. You can purchase tickets for the concert at pac.uga.edu, but they are not required to attend the event at the museum. This event will run 6 – 8 p.m., with the tour beginning at 6:15.

Make It an Evening

Third Thursday also takes place tonight. This monthly event takes place at seven of Athens’ established venues for visual art. Full schedules are posted at 3Thurs.org, with this month featuring galleries open and events at the Georgia Museum of Art, Lyndon House Arts Center, Ciné, Hotel Indigo and the Classic Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission to all venues is free of charge, and this event is a great opportunity to visit a few Athens venues in one evening.

On Wednesday, December 27, our weekly Tour at Two begins at 2 p.m., featuring highlights from the permanent collection. Docents lead this tour every Wednesday, and it is free of charge. Come back in the future for a chance to go on tours of different exhibitions and selections from the permanent collection.

Finally, come celebrate the fact that you survived the holidays with our early January events. On January 3 at 2 p.m., assistant curator of education Sage Kincaid will lead a special slow-looking program and dialogue focused on Joan Mitchell’s painting “Close.” And January 4 brings the first session of our three-part studio workshop on abstraction with Athens-based artist and educator Brian Hitselberger. Read more about this great opportunity on our website.

Studio Workshop

We wish all of you very happy holidays, and we look forward to seeing you at an event or tour soon.