As small as Kirkland is, it carries a large amount of character and class. It’s known for housing works by artist and educator Vance Kirkland, Colorado and other regional art, and international works. Set inside half of Kirkland’s original studio (there’s a fascinating clip showing how it was moved), and half of a modern building.
I visited Kirkland for the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit; the focus was on his furniture and other decorative parts. The highlight was the art glass lamp gifted to the museum; it hasn’t been seen in exhibit in 100 years.
The story behind the lamp starts in 1964 when art collector Bertie Slutzky purchased two pieces of art glass by Wright. It was then made into a lamp and gifted to Slutzky’s son as a graduation gift. In 2018, her son gifted the lamp to Kirkland Museum.
Other pieces in the exhibit include a clerestory window, a dining table with a set of dining chairs, dinnerware from Midway Gardens in Chicago, and an SC Johnson office chair.
For an added perk, there is a short film with Wright being interviewed by Mike Wallace in 1957. It was interesting to see that during the interview Wallace was smoking away while posing questions.
What the Art?! Art History Simplified 