MAG Brings O'Keeffe to Rochester

The Georgia O'Keeffe exhibition at the Memorial Art Gallery attracted 50,000 visitors and was one of the most popular shows in gallery history.

Last fall, a collection of American art icon Georgia O'Keeffe graced the walls at the Memorial Art Gallery. The exhibition, Georgia O'Keeffe: Color and Conservation, which was on display from October to December, featured 25 rarely seen oil paintings and two pastels from all periods of her life.

The landscapes, flower paintings, still lifes, and abstractions were displayed in only three national venues. The exhibition- which focused on the artist's color choice, her studio methods, and her devotion to conservation-also included photographs of O'Keeffe on loan from George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film.

New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and New York State Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle secured $125,000 for the gallery between 2004 and 2006, and some of the funds were used in support of the O'Keeffe exhibition. Another portion was used to improve lighting in the Grand Gallery.