Get ready for an unforgettable artistic journey at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University. The museum is thrilled to announce the opening of two special exhibitions that promise to captivate and inspire visitors of all ages. “Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul” and “Color Play: The Art of Nanci LaBret Einstein” opens Friday, May 17 and will run through Saturday, August 31, 2024.
“Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul” takes audiences on a musical odyssey through the golden eras of rock, blues, and soul. The iconic photographs of Larry Hulst capture the freewheeling energy of live music and the enduring visual spectacle of rock’s greatest performers. From Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix to David Bowie and Lauryn Hill, “Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues and Soul” brings together around 70 images of legendary musicians and singers across three genres and generations. The exhibition charts Hulst’s extraordinary path through the pulsing heart of the most exciting live music of the last century, showcasing a unique visual anthology of rock, blues, and soul music from 1970–1999. These images, which have been featured on album art and in “Rolling Stone” magazine spreads, convey Hulst’s lifelong passion for the magnetism, immediacy, and unpredictability of live music. With photos that also document the unforgettable voices of funk, punk, and beyond, “Front Row Center” grants viewers an all-access pass to some of the most memorable performances in popular music history.
Simultaneously, the museum will present “Color Play: The Art of Nanci LaBret Einstein,” a vibrant exploration of color, form, and creativity. Experience the art of Nanci LaBret Einstein in this immersive exhibition that highlights the many milieus and talents of the artist. In her intricately detailed freestanding and wall sculptures, Einstein works with recycled objects like beads, popsicle sticks, and other found objects. The exhibition also includes Einstein’s gestural drawings and layered photo collages that evoke emotion while exploring form, weight, color, light, and texture.
“We’re thrilled to present these two extraordinary exhibitions side by side,” said Ashley Ross, Associate Director of Collections and Impact. Ross continued, “Visitors will be transported by the musical genius of the rock, blues, and soul icons, and then inspired by the vibrant color and energy of Nanci LaBret Einstein’s art. It’s a combination that promises to be both enlightening and exhilarating.”
The “Front Row Center” and “Color Play” exhibitions will run concurrently from Friday, May 17 through August 31, 2024. A list of programs and events in conjunction with the new exhibitions can be found here: https://marshallfredericks.org/calendar/.
Exhibition Credits: “Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul” and “Color Play: The Art of Nanci LaBret Einstein” are supported in part by the Michigan Arts & Culture Council.
“Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul” is organized and toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C. International Arts & Artists (IA&A) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts internationally. Since 1995, IA&A has fulfilled its mission by providing programs and services to artists, arts institutions, cultural organizations, and the public—reaching over 2 million people. Visit www.artsandartists.org for more information.
The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Road, University Center, Michigan. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (989) 964-7125 or visit the Museum’s website at www.marshallfredericks.org.
