Monday, March 31, 2014

ANIMATED ART

Norton, RFC team up to offer ‘Night at the Museum’

In the 2006 movie “Night at the Museum,” Ben Stiller portrayed a guy who takes a job as a night watchman and finds out there is more to a museum than inanimate artwork decorating the walls and corridors.

The R.W. Norton Art Gallery in Shreveport believes that concept, as well, and April 4, it’s going to prove it by staging its own evening of animated art and a movie. The museum is teaming up with two other nonprofits – the Shreveport Little Theatre and the Robinson Film Center – to present its own version of “Night at the Museum.”

Emily Feazel, a member of the Norton’s Tour and Education staff, said the project has been in the planning stages for a couple of years, and the time is finally right to make it a reality. Borrowing on the talents of almost 20 local actors, the public will be able to see and talk to characters from the museum’s collection who will come to life for one evening.

Local actress and director Mary Joris is working with the actors who will portray such figures as Marie Antoinette, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Marilyn Monroe, Robert E. Lee, Little Bo Peep, Joan of Arc, Martha Washington and Little Red Riding Hood and others.

SLT Managing and artistic director, Robert Darrow said, the theater’s costumer, Peggy San Pedro, is constructing replicas of the costumes the characters wear in the gallery’s collection.

Alexander Kent, executive director of the Robinson Film Center, said, “Arts organizations talk a lot about collaborating. It’s hard to collaborate because everybody’s schedules are different. I think it’s wonderful that the Norton’s using this occasion to bring people together.”

RFC has been touring its “Movies and Moonbeams” program around city parks and the like for several years, according to Kent. When the Norton began planning the evening’s events, the RFC found a perfect connection. Beginning at 8 p.m., the center will present the feature film on the grounds of the museum.

“It’s very fitting that we would show this title on this night at this museum outside on the lawn,” Kent said. “Art and film are not dead and just hanging on the wall.”

For its part, the Norton staff sees this as an opportunity to reintroduce the museum to the local community. Feazel said the event would be an opportunity for children, parents, grandparents and grandchildren to share.

“It’s going to be for all kinds of family members. With the older ones, you’re going to get the history of the characters; you’re going to get to talk to them. For the kids,you’re going to get this painting or sculpture and then talk to this person who was on the wall. So it’s going to be a really cool experience for every age.”

The museum opened in 1966 in honor of R.W. Norton Sr., who was one of the original founders of the Rodessa Oil Field. R.W. Norton Jr., who built the museum and started the foundation, wrote a letter about the progressive museum, Feazel said. In it, he talked about how he wanted the museum to be a family place where children ran through hallways echoing with their laughter. Darrow commented that in recent years, Norton’s dream has started to become a reality.

“Everything has been focused on education the past couple of years and it’s bringing a whole new sense to the museum,” Feazel said. “There is such an educational tool in this museum; it makes it fun for children to learn. It’s a whole new way to teach a child without looking at a textbook all the time.”

The museum will open the doors for the event at 6 p.m., and the public will be able to come and go to see the artwork and the living actors until 8 p.m. Immediately following, the RFC will present the movie on the grounds. Admission to both the museum and the film is free.

Feazel said small groups will be admitted at regular intervals into the museum so it doesn’t get too crowded, but there will be plenty to do if lines form, as well as plenty to eat.

There will be hot dogs and hamburgers, ice cream, desserts and beverages available for purchase that evening.

Feazel said Night at the Museum will present an opportunity for a new generation to experience the Norton. “For the kids to see these characters come to life right in front of them and get to speak to them and ask them questions, it’s going to be awesome.”

ON STANDS NOW!

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