WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

The majestic Reynolda House Museum of American Art situated off Reynolda Road has long been a tourist attraction and destination for lovers of art and history. Although most locals are familiar with the namesake of the Reynolds family, many have not taken advantage of the exhibits and community events that are offered throughout the year.

The Reynolda House Museum of American Art is dedicated to preserving the historic estate that was the home of Katharine and R. J. Reynolds, as well as sharing its premier collection of American art. The estate and surrounding gardens sitting at the edge of Reynolda Village are part of Wake Forest University’s Reynolda campus. 

Reynolda House offers a variety of exhibits during the year, such as the current featured exhibit, Black is Beautiful, The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite. Allison Slaby, curator, said that this exhibit was secured about three or four years ago through a collaboration with Aperture, a not-for-profit foundation (aperture.org) that connects the photography community and its audiences with inspiring work. The exhibit will run through May 8. 

Admission to the exhibit ($18/adults, students are free) also includes a tour of the restored house, which showcases the life of the Reynolds family as it was when the Reynolds’ and later the Babcock families occupied the home. Face coverings are required while touring the house and exhibit space.

To make tours of the house and its exhibits available to people who receive SNAP benefits, anyone with an EBT card can receive free admission for up to four people. Through the Museums for All program with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, all local public library branches have comp ticket passes available for up to four guests. Similar to checking out a library book, passes are checked out at the library’s front desk and admit the visitors to the Reynolda House for free; afterward the passes are returned to the library for other visitors to use.

In addition to guest passes, Reynolda House will offer a free Community Day on April 9 with activities for adults and children. There are also a variety of upcoming gallery talks, musical concerts, activities for children, and educational classes for adults. Consult the calendar on their website for dates and information.

The next art exhibit will be Chrome Dreams and Infinite Reflections: 40 Years of Photo Realism, which will open the end of July and run through December. It will feature a type of painting or printmaking that is made to look as realistic as a photo. Some of the prints in this exhibit will be from the private collection of Richard Estes, as well as pieces borrowed from other institutions.

Reynolda House is always seeking to acquire exceptional art to display in their collection. Recently Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Baker of Winston-Salem have offered the museum a portrait of Mrs. Augustus Hemenway by acclaimed portrait artist John Singer Sargent. They have also acquired an untitled drawing by Minnie Evans, a self-taught African American artist from North Carolina. These works will be on view in the library of the historic house beginning Feb. 15.

For more information on the history of Reynolda House and upcoming events and exhibits, visit www.reynolda.org.