The decorative arts have been an important part of the Museum collection from the very beginning. FODA programs are entertaining and informative and provide opportunities to make new friends. Annual dues are $20, in addition to Museum membership. To join, please contact Membership Services Manager Teresa Wilkins: TWilkins@fine-arts.org or 727.896.2667, ext. 248. Non-FODA members can attend programs for $5, plus MFA admission. Carolyn Nygren is the volunteer coordinator. These programs will be held on the second Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m.

Upcoming Lectures:

April 8: Jeffrey Burchard, owner of Burchard Galleries in St. Petersburg, will help participants select and prepare for auctions, including where to conduct research and find key databases. Burchard Galleries specializes in art, antiques, and complete estates and holds many world records for objects at auction. Mr. Burchard has conducted the bidding for The Stuart Society’s highly successful Wine Auctions.

May 13: Katherine Pill, Assistant Curator of Art after 1950, will explore contemporary approaches to porcelain in the works of Ai Weiwei, Cheryl Pope, and Shary Boyle. Her talk will encompass the reuse and transformation of utilitarian porcelain, modern experimentation with traditional Chinese forms and decoration, and appropriation of the porcelain figurine.

2013 – 2014 Schedule:

October 8 – Alex Klahm on various metal working techniques

November 12 – Victoria Boyko of Viktoria Richards chocolates

December 10 – Sally Nisenson on Walter Gropius

January 14 – Jim Sweeny on Art Deco New York

February 11 – Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse

March 11 – Dr. John Schloder on Asian Art

April 8 – Jeffrey Burchard on preparing for auctions

May 13 – Assistant Curator of Art after 1950, Katherine Pill on contemporary approaches to porcelain