Artwork by Rock ‘n’ Roll Legend on Display in LRMA
SPC Programs & Events June 13, 2019Artwork by Rock ‘n’ Roll Legend on Display in LRMA exhibition Comin’ Back to Me: The Music and Spirit of ’69 –
A Tribute to Marty Balin
Summer exhibition pays tribute to the art and life of the founder of 1960s band Jefferson Airplane
Tarpon Springs, Fla., June 6, 2019— The year 1969 saw a momentous intersection of politics, pop-culture, art and music. Comin’ Back to Me: The Music and Spirit of ’69 invites guests to take a trip back in time through the eyes of legendary musician Marty Balin. Comin’ Back to Me: The Music and Spirit of ’69 will be on view at Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art (LRMA), St. Petersburg College, Tarpon Springs, from Sunday, June 23, through Sunday, September 22. This exhibition features artwork by Balin, known for his paintings of the rock legends and friends who inspired him, such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jerry Garcia. Presenting sponsors of this exhibition are Jeff and Lynn Pierson.
Of this exhibition, LRMA Curator Christine Renc-Carter states, “Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of 1969, this exhibition looks back on a pivotal time in American history through the eyes of one of the influential singer-songwriters of a generation. Named after one of Balin’s most popular hit songs, Comin’ Back to Me dives deep into his personal archives to reveal the artist behind the music.”
To complement Balin’s paintings, the exhibition includes artifacts from his personal collection such as instruments, photographs, awards and original psychedelic concert posters. Adding context to Balin’s experiences are a video compilation and photographs by Mel Finkelstein of events in 1969. Friends of Balin have contributed items to the exhibition including iconic photographs by Herb Greene, catalog cover artwork designed by legendary poster artist, Dennis Loren, and a catalog essay by rock music critic and author, Joel Selvin.
Additionally, guests are invited to “chill” in the black-light “chill lounge” and share memories of the ‘60s on a glow-in-the-dark graffiti wall, view vintage psychedelic posters from the LRMA collection, and experience a liquid light show created by Bob Pullum of Universoulightforms. Pullum co-founded the Brotherhood of Light in the 1960s and produced light shows for numerous acts such as Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin and The Who.
This exhibition was organized by the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in collaboration with Susan Joy Balin.
Marty Balin (American, 1942-2018) was the founder, lead singer and songwriter of the groundbreaking San Francisco psychedelic band Jefferson Airplane and a key member of its successor Jefferson Starship. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Balin wrote numerous chart-topping hits as a key member of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship in the 1960s and 1970s that earned both Gold and Platinum status. He continued to have a successful music career until his death in 2018.
Related Programs and Events
Saturday, June 22, 2019: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
LRMA Members’ Preview Reception: The public are welcome to attend the Members’ Preview Reception, RSVP by June 14 to (727) 712-5762. The reception is free to members and $10 for non-members.
Sunday, June 23, 2019: 3:00 p.m.
Gallery Talk Featuring Susan Joy Balin and Jennifer Edwards: Susan Joy Balin, wife of the late Marty Balin, and his daughter Jennifer Edwards, will enrich visitors with memories and insights about Balin’s life as an artist and his paintings in the exhibition Comin’ Back to Me. Special Exhibition Galleries. Included with admission.
Saturday, July 13, 2019: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Chill-Out Festival at LRMA Featuring Peace of Woodstock: All-ages indoor event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the renowned Woodstock music and art festival. Event includes hands-on art activities, gallery tours, food trucks, and a performance by the tribute band Peace of Woodstock at 6:30 p.m. For ticket information visit leeparattner.org/chillout
Also on View: David McKirdy: From the Collection; Rattner and Surrealism; Elemental: Fine Crafts from the Collection; and Made in Florida: The Art of Giving.
About the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art
Opened to the public in 2002, LRMA is a modern and contemporary art museum with a collection of more than 6,000 works of 20th and 21st century art. The nucleus of the museum’s permanent collection includes works by Abraham Rattner, a renowned figurative expressionist; Esther Gentle, Rattner’s second wife and a printmaker, sculptor and painter; and Allen Leepa, Rattner’s step-son and an abstract expressionist artist; and an extensive collection of works by notable 20th century artists such as Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Fernand Léger and Henry Moore. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, a distinction held by only 6 percent of all U.S. museums.
LRMA is located just west of U.S. Highway 19 at 600 E. Klosterman Road, on the Tarpon Springs Campus of St. Petersburg College. Museum hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, and 1 – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and free to children, students and active military with ID. On Sundays, docent tours are offered at 2 p.m. (included with admission fee). The museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Isabelle’s Museum Store is open during regular business hours. Additional information available at leeparattner.org
header photo by foxnews.
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