The gift of art

Gifts from Cornellians in this year’s Reunion classes (the 4s and 9s) are featured in a two-part exhibit that opened May 25 at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art.

Credit: Johnson Museum of Art

Artworks across a wide range of artists and media are on display on Museum Level 2L, in the Wing Gallery through June 16 and in the Opatrny Gallery through July 28.

Works on paper, a crucial teaching tool at the museum, include gifts of 17th century genre prints showing everyday Dutch life, from Barbara Loreto Peltz ’55 and Dr. Leon Peltz ’54; and German Expressionist prints by Max Beckmann and Käthe Kollwitz, from Ann E. Berman ’74 and Knight A. Kiplinger ’69.

Cornell veterinarian Douglas Cohn ’79, DVM ’85, who collects animal subjects in art, provided an iconic drawing by Garth Williams for “Charlotte’s Web” (the children’s classic by E.B. White, Class of 1921). Longtime supporters Roslyn Bakst Goldman ’59 and John L. Goldman, J.D. ’59, have given works by contemporary printmakers Christiane Baumgartner, Sean Scully, Zao Wou-Ki, Mauricio Lasansky and many others.

Gifts of African American art from Nelson T. Joyner, Jr. ’59 and Susanne Joyner include works by contemporary artists like Kara Walker, Alison Saar and Sam Gilliam.

Frank Canale ’69 and Mary Jane Canale are responsible for Cornell’s first acquisitions by Lisette Model, a critical figure in postwar American photography. Other photographic works on view include gifts from Diann G. Mann ’66 and Thomas A. Mann ’64; Andy Grundberg ’69 and Merry Foresta, M.A. ’81; Deborah Goodman Davis ’85 and Gerald R. Davis ’84; and Ronay Menschel ’64 and Richard Menschel, among others.

The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday, year-round; admission is free.

There’s a way

A last will and testament may be on your to-do list right now, but getting it done and not putting it off can be intimidating.

Learn more about specific steps to take in estate planning at a workshop session for Cornell staff, “You’ve Been Meaning to Write a Will - How to Get the Ball Rolling,” June 13, noon to 1 p.m. at 140 East Hill Office Building. The workshop is sponsored by the Division of Human Resources.

Local attorney Emilee Lawson Hatch will lead the session, and discuss privacy, finances and other concerns in making a will. Register online.

Commune with nature

Cornell Botanic Gardens welcomes visitors for free guided garden tours every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., from June 15 through Sept. 28.

Each tour is unique, as flora progress through the growing season. Highlights include the Robison Herb Garden, Young Flower Garden, Bowers Rhododendron Collection, shady groundcover collection and tropical container display. Meet at the Nevin Welcome Center; suggested donation is $5 to $10.

Also at Cornell Botanic Gardens:

Sunday Arboretum Tours, to locations including the F.R Newman Arboretum, Houston and Grossman Ponds and the Sculpture Garden. Tours are the third Sunday of each month through October from 2-3:30 p.m.; the next is June 16. Mindful Mondays Garden Walks, rain or shine, are the third Monday of each month; the next is June 17.

Special events: “Ancient Beauty: The Iris and the Peony,” an evening walk and talk with horticulturist Mitja Stragapede in the Martha Young Flower Garden, June 12, 7 p.m.; and Summer Solstice in the Herb Garden, June 21, noon to 1:30 p.m.; registration is required.

Ghanaian groove

Cornell’s Free Summer Events Series for 2019 begins Friday, June 28, with a concert at 7 p.m. on the Arts Quad, featuring Ghanaian drummer and composer Paa Kow.

Kow (pronounced “ko”) blends rhythm and artistry from his native country with jazz and African musical roots to create his own Afro-fusion sound. He has shared stages with African and American luminaries including Kojo Antwi, Amakye Dede and Victor Wooten.

Presented by the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, the summer series features local and international musicians, speakers and performing artists. Events are held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m. from June 28 through Aug. 3; all are free and open to the public.

Friday concerts on the Arts Quad are family-friendly; concertgoers can bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. Cornell Dairy will be selling ice cream, mango sorbet and bottled water during performances. If rain or thunderstorms are forecast, outdoor concerts will be moved to Klarman Hall and the change of venue announced on Facebook.