March 2015 Newsletter

NEW COLLABORATION We're pleased to announce a new product collaboration between the Sam Francis Foundation and Wrapped to benefit Creativity Matters: The Campaign for Creativity in Learning. We've kicked off this design collaboration with 2 different wrapping paper designs and a gift card setfeaturing 5 of Sam's works from the 1950s, now available on our online store and the Wrapped website. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these products will go to support the Creativity Matters campaign. TEFAF MAASTRICHT Running from March 13th - 22nd is The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) in Maastricht, Netherlands. Gallery Delaive, from Amsterdam, will be exhibiting works by Sam Francis at Booth 532 (shown here alongside works by Jeff Koons and Peter Anton). If you cannot make it to Europe for the show, you can catch highlights of the catalogue online here. FRANCIS ON VIEW This past week, the art fairs took over New York City, and the heavy-hitters were of course The Armory and The ADAA (Art Dealers of America Association) Art Show. Sam Francis was exhibited consistently in both of these, although nowhere placed as strong an emphasis on his work than Manny Silverman's booth at The Armory (you can view an online catalogue of this collection here). INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH In January, we went digging through the recently relocated National Archives in Paris, France, for information about the 1995-1996 Francis exhibition at the Jeu de Paume. A vintage exhibition poster featuring "In Lovely Blueness No.1" (1955-1957) is available on our online store, so you can take home a piece of this beautiful show.  ONLINE STORE We frequently update our online storewith new products, such as this rare exhibition catalog for the 1957 solo show at Galerie Klipstein und Kornfeld, in Bern, Switzerland. Many of these catalogues feature full-page color reproductions of the exhibited works, as well as interviews with Sam, collectors, curators or historians and essays printed by some of the most pre-eminent art critics of the 20th century. PAINT METHODS STUDY The Sam Francis paint study is the basis for scientific study and research with the Getty Conservation Institute(GCI), co-authored by Aneta Zebale and our own Debra Burchett-Lere, and prefaced by historian Peter Selz. It is scheduled to be released as part of the illustrious group of publications by the Getty. As part of the GCI's book series on modern paints: "The Artist's Materials" Francis's publication will join this series that includes Willem DeKooning, Lucio Fontana, and Jean Paul Riopelle in the near future. These publications are written for conservation scientists, conservators, specialists in modern art history, museums, galleries, research institutes, collectors, and the general public regarding the unique aspects of Francis's painting styles. You can learn more about the history of this project here. CATALOGUE RAISONNÉ Sam Francis Catalogue Raisonné project call for works: We are currently researching all unique works on paper to be included in the second volume of the Sam Francis Catalogue Raisonné. We are accepting submissions for unique works on canvas and paper (this will not include prints and other multiples). Each piece must be sent as a separate submission. Please see our website for all information.  ORAL HISTORY PROJECT In 2014, we launched a series of short taped interviews with individuals who were friends with Sam, collectors and supporters of his work, peers, colleagues and family members. In early 2015, Jeff Perkins set off on a tour of Switzerland, France, Japan, California and New York to further this project. Stay tuned for news about the final outcome... STAY UP TO DATE We regularly update our social media feeds (see the links below) with artworks, historical photos, anecdotes, quotations and exhibition information, so make sure you follow us for the latest news about the Sam Francis Foundation - and, as always, don't hesitate to reach out to us!

December 2014 Newsletter

#CreativityMatters An inspiring series of roundtable discussions tackling the topic of Creativity in Learning, the Sam Francis Foundation's signature community program, Creativity Matters, has generated all kinds of excitement and energy across the country. In honor of Sam's legacy, the foundation is committed to promoting creativity as a fundamental 21st century skill and leading the campaign to build creative capacity in K-12 students. To learn more and join the conversation, follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Come Visit Our Online Store On Dec 1st we are launching our new online store. It will feature rare books from Sam's publishing house, The Lapis Press, vintage exhibition posters, a variety of stationery items, apparel and much more. We are kicking off with a sale: 10% off all our products from Dec 1st–7th, including our specially-curated gift sets. It's the perfect way to share some of Sam's legacy with your family and friends for the holiday season!

Sam Francis Around the World Untitled (1990) exhibited by Galerie Diane de Polignac was recently highlighted by W Magazine as a must-see piece in The Salon Art & Design Fair in New York City. This week, keep your eyes open for works of his on display during Art Basel Miami Beach (December 2–7), including Art Miami & Untitled.

Sam Francis Foundation Launches Campaign for Creativity in Learning

For Immediate Release

November 2014: Sam Francis Foundation launches signature community program, Creativity Matters, with four roundtables across America.

In collaboration with researchers from the Harvard School of Education’s, Project Zero, the Los Angeles based artist foundation will tackle the subject of, “Creativity in Learning” at the following four locations: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston on October 29th, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on October 31st, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 7th and finally, The Exploratorium in San Francisco on November 17th. 

After months of intensive research exploring work being done by organizations and individuals on this topic, we are bringing together a robust network of researchers, thinkers and practitioners, to discuss the complex issues related to learning in the 21st century. 

The roundtable conversations will focus on 3 questions: 

    - What does creativity look like, today and tomorrow? 

    - Under what conditions does creativity thrive?
    - How do we nurture and support it? 

From this series of discussions, the Sam Francis Foundation hopes to come away with a shared point of view about the challenges and opportunities inherent in the notion of bringing, “Creativity in Learning” to the forefront of our educational practice. Our goal is to understand where we can help and how we can make a difference. 

Join the conversation by following along on Twitter (@crtvtymttrs), Facebook (@Creativity Matters) and Instagram (@Creativitymatters14). The roundtables will be live-tweeted and followers are encouraged to participate by posting with the following hashtags: #SFF4Creativity 

As President Obama stated in his September, 2014 Presidential Proclamation, “To meet the challenges ahead, we must harness the skills and ingenuity of our children and grandchildren and instill in them the same passion and persistence that has driven centuries of progress and innovation. The arts and humanities provide important opportunities for our young people to unleash their creativity and reach for new heights.” 

Media Contact:

Carter Goffigon

carter@samfrancisfoundation.org

626.460.8551

Sam Francis Foundation 26 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 7 Pasadena, CA 91105

T: 626.460.8551    F: 818.246.6690
www.samfrancisfoundation.org    info@samfrancisfoundation.org

Thanks to UNIQLO, FreeArts NYC and MoMA, 40 NY Kids Made Sam Francis Inspired T-Shirts

On Saturday October 18, over 50 UNIQLO staff members joined FreeArts NYC to welcome 40 children from homeless shelters in Brooklyn and Queens, for a special event. The children made t-shirts based on the work of American abstract artist Sam Francis whose merchandise was launched in stores earlier this month. After going on a tour of the 5th Ave UNIQLO Store, the children learned about Sam Francis from Leah Wolff, a program educator from MoMA. The children were also encouraged to talk about their feelings about art in general.

The children, who were recommended by the NY Department of Homeless Services, were from 6 to 12 years old, and came from the Boulevard Family Center in Queens and Urban Transitional Center in Brooklyn. These children don’t have the opportunity or means in their everyday settings to be able to express themselves through art. Giving them the opportunity to do so, was extremely meaningful for the children, as many of the children described the event as, “the best day…” and told us that their dream was to be a fashion designer or artist. FreeArts NYC, made the event possible by providing all of the supplies and additional support for the event. 

Images courtesy of UNIQLO

 

 

Before the children made their t shirts, they drew and painted their ideas on sheets of paper that they were able to take home. In addition, Sam Francis postcards and journals were graciously donated from the Sam Francis Foundation and given to the children as a souvenir.

Leah Wolff, from the MoMA uses Sam Francis SPRZ shirts as examples 

of how to make their t-shirts and to discuss the use of color and shapes.

October 2014 Newsletter

The Latest As the first installment of Creativity Matters, the Foundation is gearing up to host 4 roundtables exploring the topic of Creativity in Learning, in collaboration with Project Zero, the research arm of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Held at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Exploratorium in San Francisco and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles, the events will convene thought leaders in the field of creativity, coming from a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds. Stay tuned for highlights of the conversations by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram! The fast-growing Japanese retailer Uniqlo recently set up a partnership with MoMA, featuring works by key artists in their apparel collection. Amidst the ranks of Warhol, Basquiat, Holzer, Pollock and more, comes the limited edition Sam Francis Collection! The t-shirts are available online and in stores worldwide.   THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 17TH, is Family Art Night at the Norton Simon Museum: Find new ways to look at and explore the Museum’s monumental Sam Francis painting. Discuss Basel Mural I with an educator, taking time to look and describe before forming your own creative interpretation of this inspiring piece. On top of a fresh new look, our new website will also feature an online store. Clothing, journals, postcards, limited edition posters, catalogs and out-of-print books from Lapis Press, Sam's former publishing house, will all be available. Unique and personal gifts to share with your loved ones for the holidays and proceeds will support the Foundation's signature program, Creativity Matters. On View In a recently opened show, Leslie Sacks Fine Art (Brentwood, CA) is showing key pieces from abstract artists of the past century. Sam Francis is featured alongside peers and friends such as Diebenkorn & Johns. On view until mid-November.   Opening on November 4th, Bernard Jacobson's New York gallery will be showing "Impressions: The Fine Art of Original Prints," featuring works by Sam Francis, Sol LeWitt, Robert Motherwell and Ed Ruscha. On display until December 20th.   COMING SOON! Galerie Jörg Schuhmacher will be hosting a tribute solo show of Sam's works in the Galerie Schwind space in historic Frankfurt, Germany. The exhibition opens on November 15th, 2014, and will feature a catalogue published specifically for the occasion.   Sam Francis' work was recently featured in "International Exchanges: Modern Art & St. Ives 1915-1965," held at Tate St. Ives from May 17 - September 28, 2014. Now, the show is heading to Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA). Catch Grey Space(1950-51), Lovely Blueness No.2 (1955-1956) and Around the Blues(1957/1962) amongst the works of Barbara Hepworth, Wassily Kandinsky & Mark Rothko from October 24, 2014 - January 25, 2015. Until February 2016, In Lovely Blueness No.1 (1955-1957) will be on view at the Centre Pompidou Metz, 3 hours east of Paris. Visitors can re-discover it amongst other astounding works in the exhibition entitled "Phares," featuring monumental works from the Pompidou and French National Museum of Modern Art collections. The Huntington recently published their latest catalog, titled "American Made," and features Sam's Free Floating Clouds (1980), which is also up on display at the venue. Sam's Red in Red (1955) and The Beaubourg (1977) are on display at the newly inaugurated Anderson Collection at Stanford University. Get a glimpse of the expansive set-up here. News & Press

Around Us Day and Night (1989) was recently featured in the exhibition held at the Princeton University Art Museum, displaying work from the collection of Preston H. Haskell, from the class of 1960. Catalogue coming soon. Are you subscribed to ArtNews? Keep an eye out for news about the Sam Francis Foundation in the November issue. Coming up in the next edition of "Philadelphia Museum of Art: Handbook of Collections," art aficionados will have a chance to see Sam's Red(1955-56). From Disappearance (1957) and Untitled (1965) were recently shown in Sotheby's S|2 show "Born in a Minute: Color Field Painting from the 50s-70s," in New York City. View the full digital catalog here.

Uniqlo images copyright © Uniqlo, Japan. Norton Simon painting copyright © 2014 Norton Simon Museum Leslie Sacks Fine Art image copyright © Leslie Sacks Fine Art Galleries. Bernard Jacobson image copyright © Bernard Jacobson Galleries. Galerie Jörg Schuhmacher image copyright © Galerie Jörg Schuhmacher. Huntington image copyright © Tim Street Porter. Images for Pompidou Metz and Princeton from Google Images. All Sam Francis images copyright © 2014 Sam Francis Foundation, California / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.