Art in the Newman Center Robert and Judi Newman Center for Performing Arts

1 art in newman center

1.1 exterior works

1.1.1 bas relief sculptures
1.1.2 bowlen family sundial
1.1.3 saunders family rose window


1.2 interior works

1.2.1 harlequin
1.2.2 trio , tone shapes
1.2.3 flemish tapestry
1.2.4 chenrezig (sanskrit: avalokiteshvara)
1.2.5 illuminated manuscript page
1.2.6 allegro
1.2.7 play again, philippe

art in newman center
exterior works
bas relief sculptures

the exterior of newman center includes 3 sculptures created denver artists madeleine weiner , kathy caricof. 2 m allan , margot gilbert frank bas relief carvings on north facade of newman center designed act bookends on north wall of trevorrow hall, home of lamont school of music. artists wished depict , celebrate music, jazz (trumpet, bass, drum , saxophone) , classical (opera, horn , violin). figures , instruments carved in energetic style, constant reminder of music being created behind walls. each relief 24 feet tall 12 inches deep, , carved indiana limestone. sculpture on west patio of newman center, against exterior wall of department of theatre s byron theatre, designed , carved denver artists madeline wiener , kathy caricof. sculpture depicts 3 characters commedia dell’arte, italian quasi-improvisational theater popular during renaissance. colombina (columbine), hides behind arlecchino (harlequin), demure , gentle, while arlecchino gestures throne on passers-by can sit join audience. smaller figure represents pantalone, miserly, scheming masked character in tattered clothing. clutches purse, out of coins falling. note hat on ground filled coins, if players collecting money performance. sculpture 12 feet tall , carved indiana limestone. don’t miss cute bunnies under feet of characters on left, each of has on own theatrical mask.

bowlen family sundial

the bowlen family sundial placed vertically on south face of gates concert hall stage house , inspired similar sundials in italy. has 2 sets of hour markers. larger, outer set used tell time in summer months when sun high in sky , shadows cast gnomon long. smaller, inner set used in winter months when sun low in sky , shadows shorter.

saunders family rose window

the saunders family rose window located in student lounge on fifth floor of trevorrow hall. cab childress, university architect emeritus, wanted newman center have own rose window, not ecclesiastical one, rather real rose. mark rodgers, current university architect, picked rose university’s rose garden , used create plans carving. hand carved in indiana limestone. rose logo of newman center, roses being traditional gifts performers @ end of concerts.

interior works
harlequin

inside west entrance of newman center free-standing sculpture entitled harlequin (c. 1957) marion buchan (1895-1971). harlequin 1 of several near life-size treatments of subject buchan, assistant professor of drawing , painting @ university s school of art 1944 1958. version commissioned campton bell, theatre department chairman, around 1957. in 1993, removed lobby of lamont school of music, located in denver’s park hill neighborhood. harlequin professionally restored in 2002 , prepared long-term installation @ robert , judi newman center performing arts. restoration generously supported save outdoor sculpture! foundation , holly buchan. sculpture installed courtesy of bruce , martha clinton in honor of robert , judi newman.

trio , tone shapes

the west lobby of newman center includes bronze cast entitled trio , tone shapes arnold rönnebeck (1885-1947). rönnebeck instructor in sculpture @ university s school of art 1929 1935. trio , tone shapes unrealized 1939 commission denver public schools auditorium. 1968 account vance kirkland, director of university s school of art, indicates piece rejected dps “too modern.” relief retrieved hosek manufacturing company kirkland in 1968 , incorporated university’s art collections. 2007 casts taken painted plaster original; remaining bronze resides in collection of denver’s kirkland museum of fine , decorative art. relief cast @ fedde bronze works, denver. university gratefully acknowledges cooperation of family , estate of arnold rönnebeck, , support of jfm foundation.

flemish tapestry

at mid-point of grand staircase in joy burns plaza flemish tapestry, gift of robert , judi newman. created in late 16th or 17th century. studios in town of audenarde. scene “the story of moses,” or “exodus.” moses bearded figure left of center @ tapestry; holds staff in right hand. brother aaron farther left , wears miter. sister miriam largest, , central, figure in piece. , other ladies musicians , leading people in celebration after having escaped bondage of pharaoh. approximately 10’ x 14’.

chenrezig (sanskrit: avalokiteshvara)

the stage level elevator lobby on west side of newman center includes thangka painting on fabric, completed in 2007. painting made lobsang choegyal , sarika singh, founders & master painters of thangde gatsal school , gift newman center of university professors roscoe hill , sheila wright honor lobsang , sarika , university s students participated in project dharamsala. thangka depicts mandala of chenrezig, bodhisattva of compassion. in september 2004, tibetan monks drepung loseling monastery created sand mandala in joy burns plaza in newman center devoted chenrezig. when finished, sand painting swept , put river, acknowledgment of impermanence of things. commemorate event, newman center performing arts commissioned painting thangde gatsal studio in dharamsala, india. thangka painting uniquely tibetan tradition evolved between 7th , 12th centuries. thangkas works of art, objects of devotion, , aids spiritual practice. dalai lama considered reincarnation of chenrezig. artwork installed courtesy of bruce , martha clinton in honor of robert , judi newman.

illuminated manuscript page

the stage level elevator lobby on west side of newman center includes illuminated manuscript page of tempera colors , gold leaf on vellum parchment northern italy or france (c. 1380-1420). manuscript page once belonged antiphonary (a book of liturgical music) , gift of carol margolin family newman center. in catholic liturgy, passages appearing on page associated week leading celebration of pentecost. however, scene portrayed inside large illuminated letter “c” on side shown feast of last supper. initial “c” begins phrase cibavit eos… (“he fed them...”). cibavit eos frumenti, alleluia; et de petra, melle saturavit eos, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. exsultate deo adjutori nostro; jubilate deo jacob. (“he fed them fat of wheat, alleluia; , filled them honey out of rock, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. rejoice god our helper; sing aloud god of jacob.”)

allegro

inside hamilton family recital hall, on gallery level, allegro, sculpted anne cunningham. modeled after pet parrot owned joe docksey, director of lamont school of music when newman center opened, sculpture gift lamont students, faculty , lamont music associates.

play again, philippe

the marvin , judi wolf conference room includes work of mixed-media , plaster life casts entitled play again, philippe (1988) lee milmon (1940-2005). milmon received bfa university of denver in 1962 , mfa in 1971. after completion of degrees continued work in various media, including drawing, printmaking, sculpture, , weaving. taught @ colorado institute of art, metro state college, colorado women’s college, , @ university of denver s school of art , art history.