July Issue 2000
Asheville Art Museum in Asheville, NC, Offers Exhibit of Works by Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald
The Asheville Art Museum in Asheville, NC, will host an exhibition of paintings by Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald through July 30 coinciding with the centennial of the artist's birth. The art on exhibit encompasses a wide range of subject matter from landscapes of Western North Carolina to paper dolls, from floral paintings to fantastic scenes inspired by literary sources that range from "Alice In Wonderland to the Bible".
Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald was born in Montgomery, AL, on July 24, 1900, the youngest of six children. At age 18, she was the belle of Montgomery; at age 20 she married F. Scott Fitzgerald shortly after the publication of his first novel, This Side of Paradise. Scott and Zelda were the poster couple of the jazz age, spending much of their time in Europe and New York. In 1921 Scottie, the Fitzgerald's only child, was born.
Throughout her life, Zelda pursued a variety of artistic endeavors including writing, dance and painting. She began studying art in 1925 while living on the Mediterranean. Although she pursued dance passionately for several years, Zelda remained committed to painting for the rest of her life.
Zelda Fitzgerald's colorful, fanciful artwork has a distinct, idiosyncratic, modernist approach. She was exposed to late 19th and early 20th century modernists including Cezanne, Picasso, Gaughin and Matisse in Europe. In New York, she saw the paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe. Fitzgerald was an artist with a keen eye, well versed in the various currents and trends of modern art. While her style may have been influenced by turn of the century painters, much of Zelda's inspiration came from everyday life. She made paper dolls for her daughter Scottie and she decorated a wooden platter to sell for cash. Her landscapes reflect places she lived, from the Mediterranean to the mountains around Asheville.
Zelda Fitzgerald had a history of mental illness. In 1931, Zelda began work on Save me the Waltz. Published by Scribner's in 1932, the novel is a self-portrait of her troubled life. In 1934, after her third breakdown, Zelda was hospitalized at Craig House clinic in Beacon, New York. After stays at several different clinics, Zelda moved to Highland Hospital in Asheville in April 1936, the first of her many visits to the hospital during the remainder of her life. Zelda died in Asheville on Mar. 10, 1948. The artist was one of eight women who perished in a mysterious fire that broke out in the central building of Highland Hospital.
This exhibition is part of a coordinated program of events developed in partnership with the Thomas Wolfe Memorial and other local groups and individuals including theatrical, dance and writing groups. Many of these events will occur on the weekend of July 21-23 to coincide with the 100th birthday of Zelda Fitzgerald. On July 21, at 6:30pm, Eleanor Lanahan, granddaughter of Scott and Zelda, will speak on the art and life of Zelda Fitzgerald followed by a short dance performance inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald. At 10am, July 22, there will be selected readings from Zelda's work at the Lord Auditorium at Pack Library. At 11:30 am a walking tour of Scott and Zelda's Asheville will begin at the Asheville Art Museum. These multidisciplinary programs will enable us to explore the range of elements that helped make Zelda Fitzgerald such a fascinating personality.
The Asheville Art Museum Shop will feature books and other items related to the exhibition as well as current books on American art of the twentieth century. Museum members receive a 10% discount on all purchases. Proceeds from the Museum Shop support the Museum's public programs.
For further information check our NC Institutional
Gallery listings or call the museum at 828/253-3227.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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