See Cranbrook as you've never seen it before -- backstage and behind the scenes! Starting this September, Cranbrook launches
Behind the Scenes: Exploring Cranbrook's Collections, a new educational series that puts visitors face to face with rarely seen treasures from Cranbrook's historical and archival collections.
Event Schedule
The Conservation and Care of Antiques
Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007
9:30 AM to Noon
At Cranbrook House
Hosted by Cranbrook Archives and Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary
Want to know how museums keep all their valuable pieces looking so good? Want to learn the same techniques for your own heirlooms? Cranbrook curators and conservators will discuss the care, restoration and treatment of cultural properties ranging from architectural elements to period clothing to works of art. Using the collections of Cranbrook House, they will explore the techniques and practices for a variety of material types, including works made of wood, metal, ceramic, glass and textiles.
Rare William Morris Textiles: An Exclusive Look
Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007
1:30 to 3:30 PM
At Cranbrook Art Museum and Christ Church Cranbrook
Hosted by Cranbrook Art Museum, Christ Church Cranbrook and Cranbrook Archives
Ever seen an original William Morris textile up-close and in person? Now's your chance. In this exclusive program, participants will have the opportunity to delve into the Art Museum vaults and see extremely rare wallpaper designs and textiles made by the masterful Arts and Crafts artist. The afternoon ends at Christ Church Cranbrook with a viewing of a number of tapestries created by Morris and Company of Merton Abbey, England.
Genius In The Making: Early Designs by Eero Saarinen
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007 at 11:30 and 3 PM;
Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 at 1:30 PM;
Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 1:30 PM
At Kingswood School Campus
Hosted by Cranbrook Art Museum and Cranbrook Schools
In conjunction with the groundbreaking new exhibition, Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future, Cranbrook Art Museum and Cranbrook Schools are offering 90-minute behind-the-scenes tours of Kingswood School, the 1931 architectural gem designed collaboratively by the Saarinen family, all of whom were architects, weavers and designers. Barely 20 years old, legendary architect Eero Saarine was commissioned to design most of the school's furniture including beds, tables, chairs, lounge furniture and decorative benches for every area of the building from the dormitories to the dining hall to the stunning, Pewabic tile-filled Green Lobby. Guests will see dozens of works by Eero, all in their original architectural settings.
In the Architect's Own Hand: Eero Saarinen Drawings in Cranbrook's Collections
Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008
1:30 to 3:30 PM
At Cranbrook Art Museum and Cranbrook Archives
Hosted by Cranbrook Archives and Cranbrook Art Museum
See how an architect's ideas take shape as you look through the extensive collection of drawings by Eero Saarinen in the collections of Cranbrook Art Museum and Cranbrook Archives. These images, many of which have never been on display to the public, show the evolution of thought involved in a variety of design projects, from full-scale buildings to rooms to pieces of furniture. It's an exciting journey through the creative process. Event begins at Cranbrook Art Museum.
A Real Gem: The Past and Present of Cranbrook Institute of Science's Mineral Collection
Friday, Feb. 22, 2008
7 to 9 PM
At Cranbrook Institute of Science
Hosted by Cranbrook Archives and Cranbrook Institute of Science
One of the best show mineral collections in the United States, Cranbrook Institute of Science's display of crystals and other mineralogical specimens were at the heart of Cranbrook founder George Booth's creation of the museum. An avid collector, Booth amassed a significant cache of rare minerals in his lifetime, and ultimately built Cranbrook's natural history museum as a repository for his acquisitions. A lecture on the history of Cranbrook's mineral collection will be offered alongside a new exhibit showcasing rarities and historical pieces rarely seen beyond the vault doors. Guests are also invited to stay after the event and tour the museum until 10 PM. Capacity: 120 people.
A Blooming Good Time: Investigating Michigan's Native Spring Flora
Saturday, May 17, 2008
9:30 to Noon
At Cranbrook Institute of Science and Cranbrook House Workshop
Hosted by Cranbrook Institute of Science and Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary
Michigan's landscape is filled with colorful and rare flowers, trees and plants. Learn how to identify many of these species common to woodland and wetland environments. The program will begin at Cranbrook Institute of Science for a look at the museum's botany collection, then will move on to the bog and wildflower gardens of Cranbrook House for an up-close examination of several early blooming varieties. Event will be held rain or shine. Please note: participants will be walking approximately one mile over uneven terrain. Capacity: 50 people.
An Artist's Space: An In-Depth Look at the Influence of Cranbrook Artists on Craft In America
Sunday, June 29, 2008
1:30 to 3:30 PM
Hosted by Cranbrook Art Museum and Cranbrook Academy of Art
This summer, Cranbrook Art Museum will host the national traveling exhibition, Craft In America: Expanding Traditions, a groundbreaking visual exploration of the history and cultural significance of America's craft movement. A number of Cranbrook Academy of Art artists and faculty are featured in this exhibition. This program will offer an in-depth look at their contribution to the movement and will include a rare, behind-the-scenes tour of the original craft studios in which these artists worked and created. A guided tour of the exhibition itself is also included.
Natural Impressions: Finding Motifs of Nature in Cultural Relics
Friday, July 18, 2008
7 to 9 PM
At Cranbrook Institute of Science
Hosted by Cranbrook Institute of Science
Paintings, fabrics, pottery, architecture -- the arts are filled with representations of elements from the natural world. Institute of Science Director and Archaeologist Dr. Michael Stafford will present an engaging lecture exploring the natural world as it is expressed in the cultural materials and artifacts of the Great Lakes region. He will be joined by David Pepper of Okame Antiques who will explore a similar theme from an Eastern perspective including Japanese cultural items through the centuries. The talks will be highlighted by the presentation of special pieces from the Institute's collections. Capacity: 120 people.
COST PER EVENT: $35 PER PERSON OR $25 PER PERSON FOR MEMBERS OF CRANBROOK ART MUSEUM, CRANBROOK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE OR CRANBROOK HOUSE AND GARDENS
Please note: Each program is limited to 25 people per session unless otherwise indicated.
To make your reservation, please call 248 645.3142 or
to access an online registration form.
