Tag Archives: Ross Mitchell

“What to think about when looking at art” – Slow Art Day at Glen Foerd in PA

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For its fifth year celebrating Slow Art Day, Glen Foerd in Philadelphia, PA selected four works from the museum’s permanent collection:

  • “Flowers in a Gold Vase” by Mary Elizabeth Price (1987-1960)
  • “Lady Trimelston” by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830)
  • “Manifestation with Wings” by Benton Murdoch Spruance (1904-1967)
  • “An Archive of Desire” (2020) by Jennifer Johnson

 “Flowers in Gold Vase,” Oil on Panel. Mary Elizabeth Price (American, 1875-1960).
“Lady Trimelston,” Oil on Canvas. Sir Thomas Lawrence (British 1769 – 1830).
“Manifestation with Wings,” Oil on canvas. Benton Murdoch Spruance (1904-1967).
“An Archive of Desire,” 2020. Mixed Media, Porcelain. Jenifer Johnson (American).

Visitors were encouraged to spend 10 minutes with each piece before joining a group discussion. The museum provided a set of prompts (see the p.s.).

Executive Director Ross Mitchell started the group discussion with an anecdote about his son, who, while visiting a museum, asked his father a simple yet profound question: “What are you supposed to think about when you’re looking at art?”

Visitors were invited to share their experiences. The group discussed the three paintings, displayed side by side in the Glen Foerd mansion’s art gallery. Initial impressions gave way to deeper appreciation of technique, composition, color, and space. After nearly an hour of dialogue, the group had come up with their own answers to the question Mitchell’s son had posed.

The momentum of the morning continued to the final piece, a sculptural installation display by Jennifer Johnson titled “An Archive of Desire”. Visitors were again asked to share their impressions and observations of the work, taking note of the ways that paintings and sculpture are experienced differently.

The morning ended with final remarks and an invitation to return for next year’s event, which we at Slow Art Day HQ look forward to seeing. We thank Ross Mitchell and the Glen Foerd team for continuing to cultivate a community of slow looking in Philadelphia.

– Ashley, Johanna, Jessica Jane, and Phyl

P.S. Stay connected with Glen Foerd on Facebook and Instagram.

P.P.S. Here were the prompts used:

  • Look not only at what is pictured, but how it is pictured.
  • What kind of colors has the artist used? Are they bright, muted, or somewhere in between?
  • Can you see how the color has been applied or is the color smooth and blended?
  • Is there a sense of deep, moderate, shallow, or indeterminate space? Is that space consistent throughout the picture?
  • Is space clear and well defined or atmospheric? What about how the picture was painted gives it that quality?
  • Is there the suggestion of a directional light source, of light coming from one side or the other?
  • Can you see lines anywhere, whether painted lines or strong edges created by color-to-color areas? Where are lines used and how?
  • What other observations can you make?
  • How is the installation piece different from the paintings?
  • What is the unifying theme of the installation? 

Glen Foerd Hosts 4th Slow Art Day

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For Slow Art Day 2024, Glen Foerd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania invited participants to look slowly at four selected works of art, led by Executive Director Ross Mitchell.

Glen Foerd itself is a beautiful mansion and grounds on the banks of the Delaware River (learn more about the venue and its history on their website).

Their collection is an eclectic mix of works from the Renaissance to the twentieth century, where Italian masterpieces sit next to works by local Philadelphia artists. The beauty of slow-looking is that it brings deep observation and appreciation to all works of art no matter the provenance.

Exterior of Glen Foerd. Photo by Ashley Moran.

For the event, participants were invited to spend at least 10 minutes with each
of the following selected pieces:

  • Luigi Setanni (American, 1908–1984). Village and Calvary, c. mid-1930s. Oil on canvas
  • Thomas Sully (Attributed) (American, 1783 – 1872). Head of a Young woman in a Black Feathered Hat. Oil on Panel
  • Edith Emerson (American, 1888–1981). A Florentine Garden. Oil on canvas
  • Talia Eve Greene (American, 1976). Threadbare and Tarnished: Tales from a Gilded Age, 2017. Mixed Media
Luigi Setanni (American, 1908–1984). Village and Calvary, c. mid-1930s. Oil on canvas
Thomas Sully (Attributed) (American, 1783 – 1872). Head of a Young woman in a Black Feathered Hat. Oil on Panel
Edith Emerson (American, 1888–1981). A Florentine Garden. Oil on canvas
Talia Eve Greene (American, 1976). Threadbare and Tarnished: Tales from a Gilded Age, 2017. Mixed Media

Afterwards, Ross led the group through a discussion about each work.

Executive Director Ross Mitchell leading the discussion in front of three of the works.
Participants looking slowly at the selected works.
Participants looking slowly at the selected works.
Participant taking in the mixed media work in a separate room, by Talia Eve Greene – Threadbare and Tarnished: Tales from a Gilded Age.

Participants were also given a flyer with a series of prompts (download the flier).

Flyer of the eventDownload

Ashley Moran, volunteer at Slow Art Day HQ, visited Glen Foerd for their fourth Slow Art Day in 2024, and very much appreciated their selection of art and the lively discussion facilitated by Executive Director Ross Mitchell.

We are excited to see what they come up with for Slow Art Day 2025.

– Ashley, Jessica Jane, Johanna, and Phyl

P.S. Slow Art Day 2025 is coming up on April 5. If you have not done so, please register your museum, gallery, church, hospital, sculpture park or movie theater here: https://www.slowartday.com/be-a-host/

Philadephia’s Citywide Slow Art Day 2023

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Slow Art Day is but *2* days away and more than 185 museums have registered their events, including five in Philadelphia, making that city part of a growing number of cities hosting 5, 10 or more events.

[Remember to register your Slow Art Day with us so we can write-up a report about your work and feature you in our next Annual Report, which has become the Bible of the slow looking movement.]

Philadelphia Inquirer journalist Michelle Myers wrote a wonderful article about the citywide Slow Art Day – Everything You Need to Know About Slow Art Day in Philadelphia.

For the educators and curators reading our blog, here’s a quick summary of the design of the five events.

1. The Barnes Foundation
With a lot of support from Bill Perthes, the foundation’s Bernard C. Watson director of adult education, The Barnes Foundation has participated in Slow Art Day since 2017. This year visitors will have an hour to observe four works of art, including pieces by Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Honoré Daumier, and Pablo Picasso. Participants will then gather for a 30-minute conversation with Michael Williamson, a member of the Barnes faculty and former Germantown Friends School art history teacher.

2. Corridor Contemporary
Corridor Contemporary will showcase their exhibition, “Printed Perspectives,” which features printmaking techniques such as silk screening and lithography. Visitors can visit the gallery for free between 6 and 9 pm and observe each piece.

3. Glen Foerd
Glen Foerd, primarily known as a historic site and arboretum, will provide participants with a chance to observe four works of art: a portrait by Sir Peter Lely, Poppies in Vase by Hobson Pittman, The Virgin and Child with the Infant St. John the Baptist by Girolamo da Santacroce, and An Archive of Desire by Jennifer Johnson. Participants will then gather for a conversation with executive director Ross Mitchell, discussing aesthetics and themes of each artwork.

4. Philadelphia Magic Gardens
This year, the Magic Gardens will observe four pre-selected, untitled terracotta sculptures by the Garcia family of Oaxaca. The gardens anticipate 15 to 20 participants, and the conversation will be guided by educator Samantha Eusebio, focusing on folk art and the importance of passing down family traditions.

5. Philadelphia Museum of Art
The museum’s Slow Art Day event is a guided walk around the Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden, led by mindfulness instructor Grady Bates. Visitors will observe Bronze Bowl with Lace by Ursula von Rydingsvard and other works of art.

Wherever you are in the world – Philadephia, Prague (Czech Republic), Pamplona (Spain), Pecs (Hungary), Parkes (Australia), or Provo, UT (U.S.), we hope you have a GOOD and Slow Art Day 2023. 

Best,

Phyl and the volunteer Slow Art Day team

P.S. If you need the Slow Art Day logo for use in your print or digital efforts, or any of the tools and tips from our Annual Reports, then go to the host tools section of our Slow Art Day website.