The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum is celebrating Georgia O’Keeffe Day this Saturday from 10 a.m. - Noon. We talked to Amy Mitchell, Programming Coordinator for PPHM, to find out more.
What: Georgia O’Keeffe Day
When: Saturday November 15, 10am to Noon
Where: Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Canyon, TX
Cost: Free with regular museum admission
Q: What does the PPHM have planned for Georgia O’Keeffe Day?
A: Georgia O’Keeffe Day is a celebration of the 127th birthday of famed Southwestern artist Georgia O’Keeffe. We will be hosting a family friendly event where parents/caregivers and their children can use a variety of art media to create an artwork inspired by O’Keeffe’s floral works. Once completing their artworks, guests will be able to enjoy a piece of birthday cake to celebrate her birthday (while supplies last).
Q: Are people surprised to learn that Georgia O’Keeffe spent time in the Texas Panhandle?
A: I believe so. I think most people typically are familiar with the works that she created while working and living in New Mexico, but she spent several years here in the Panhandle teaching and experimenting in her craft. You can see the influence of Palo Duro Canyon in a lot of her early works.
Q: What can people expect to do and learn at this event?
A: This is a come-and-go activity, so guests can arrive any time between 10am and 12pm and create an O’Keeffe inspired piece, enjoy some cake, and visit with museum staff who will be able to talk with them about O’Keeffe and her work, especially from the time she was here in Canyon. This is not a lecture, but more a chance for our young guests to experiment in creating art, and hopefully will inspire them to go home and research more about the art that moves them.
Q: Why do you think Georgia O’Keeffe is so revered?
A: Probably because she was a very modern and liberated woman whose artistic style is so easily recognizable by people.
Q: Are there any other artist related events coming up at the PPHM?
A: We hope to host similar events that focus on other regional artists, like H. D. Bugbee and Frank Reaugh, probably sometime in the spring of next year.
