The Hunter Museum Presents "Thrill After Thrill: 30 Years Of Wayne White"

  • Tuesday, May 30, 2017

The Hunter Museum will present a solo exhibit by Chattanooga native Wayne White. The exhibition, opening Friday, June 30 through Oct. 1, will delve into White’s “Word” paintings, cardboard, wood, and bronze sculptures, larger than life puppets, and sketches created throughout his career. 

"Wayne White built his impressive career on both coasts, working first as an illustrator for print publications in New York, then as a set designer for television shows and music videos in Hollywood.

After creating illustrations for the East Village Eye, The New York Times, Raw Magazine, and The Village Voice, White joined the team working on Pee Wee’s Playhouse.  As the program shifted to California, so did White, and the move led to further work in broadcast television, as well as three Emmy awards for his work on Pee Wee’s Playhouse.  He also created the sets for Beakman’s World, and was art director for music videos of hit pop songs including The Smashing Pumpkins'  Tonight, Tonight and Peter Gabriel's Big Time," officials said.

The Hunter’s exhibition is the culmination of a yearlong focus on Wayne White in Chattanooga, which began with Wayne-O-Rama, a large scale, immersive art installation and experience in Chattanooga’s Southside. "This ambitious project brought together White’s clever wit with his impressive design and building skills and is on view through September. Maquettes related to Wayne-O-Rama will be part of the Hunter exhibition," officials said.

Mr. White has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from MTSU, and has had numerous solo exhibitions around the country. His work is included in such collections as The Detroit Institute of the Arts, the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, Los Angeles, and the New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York.  In 2012, Beauty is Embarrassing, a documentary on Mr. White’s life, premiered in Austin. It has aired nationwide on PBS and is available from Netflix. 

General admission to the Hunter Museum, including this special exhibition, is $15 for adults and free for youth 17 and under. As always, members are admitted free.

Thrill After Thrill Exhibit Related Events:

Saturday, July 1; Saturday, Sept. 23
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Beauty is Embarrassing Screening
All are invited to see Beauty is Embarrassing, a film about the artist Wayne White whose work is featured in the Hunter’s special exhibit Thrill After Thrill: Thirty Years of Wayne White. 

Saturday, July 1, 8 and 15
2-3:30 p.m.
Weekend Wayne Docent Training
Sign up to be a Weekend Wayne Docent, attend three training sessions, and  give tours of Thrill After Thrill to museum guests on Saturdays during the run of the exhibit.

Thursday, July 6 
6-8 p.m.
Bands on the Bluff: Nick Lutsko and Friends
Celebrate the art of Wayne White with a kaleidoscope of music through a performance by Nick Lutsko. This is the third in a series of six monthly concerts, all taking place on first Thursdays. Bands on the Bluff is presented in partnership with SoundCorps and generously sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED.

Thursday, July 13
6-7 p.m.
Thrill after Thrill with Creeping Critters
Explore Wayne White’s work through a demonstration by Matthew Dutton, another Chattanooga artist whose work was inspired by Wayne White’s visions. Matthew will share Wayne’s work with us and then invite us into the creation process for his own creeping critters.

Thursday, Aug. 17 
6-8 p.m.
Cocktails in Color: Funhouse
With technicolor gallery experiences and a surprise specialty cocktail curated by Flying Squirrel mixologists, guests are in for a funhouse of a night. This series is co-presented by The Flying Squirrel. 

Thursday, Aug. 24 
6-7:30 p.m.
Art Wise: Distinguished Speakers at the Hunter Presents Wayne White
We are proud to welcome artist Wayne White as he discusses his work and his Chattanooga roots. The Art Wise series is generously sponsored by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Community Trust. 

Sunday, Sept. 17
2-4 p.m.
Family Fun Day: Wayne’s World
Take a trip to Wayne’s World as we explore the thrilling world of the current special exhibit. This fun filled afternoon for kids of all ages will include puppetry, dance, music, games, crafts and all kinds of color.

Thursday, Sept. 21
6-7 p.m.
Faculty Dialogues: The South of Wayne White
Explore the South of Wayne White during an in-gallery walking dialogue with Dr. Jennifer Beech of UTC’s Department of English. 

Thursday, Sept. 28
6-7:30 p.m.
Teen Thrills 
Teens only are invited to this special night of creating art and an over-the-top play inspired by Thrill after Thrill: Thirty Years of Wayne White. 

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