Booth Debuts Rarely-Seen Artwork

The 's third installment of Western American Art South of the Sweet Tea Line opens Saturday and contains nearly 100 rarely seen works of art from various locations throughout the southeast.

In crafting the exhibition, the seeks works of art from private collectors and museum vaults in order to create an exhibition that features a wide gamut of well-known artists.

“Essentially, what we do with this exhibit is call upon other museums and private collectors to borrow their prized western art,” Executive Director Seth Hopkins said in a press release. “The exhibit is really a collaboration of the entire collection of the Booth, all packed into one room. Visitors see some early artwork similar to our Enduring Traditions Gallery, to some of the best and most recent contemporary work typically seen in our Modern West Gallery. Though many pieces may be reminiscent of our permanent collection, visitors will see rarely seen artwork by some of the leading Western artists, as well as work by many we have very little or nothing by in our collection.” 

Western American Art South of the Sweet Tea Line III, or "Sweet Tea III" as it is known among the Booth staff, allows visitors to experience art that will transport them to the most beautiful locations in the west and witness both the joys and hardships of life in the west. Works included in the exhibition span a 150-year period and include a cross-section of western art, both historical and contemporary, and represents a variety of Native American artists. Visitors will see many recognizable names, including Frederic Remington, Thomas Moran, George Caleb Bingham, Joseph Sharp, Maynard Dixon, W.R. Leigh and many more.

“Sweet Tea III” is the third installment of a triennial exhibition series, which was first debuted at the Booth in 2005. The upcoming exhibition is co-curated by Hopkins and Director of Curatorial Services Jeff Donaldson, working with a wide range of private collectors and museum staff members around the southeast.

The exhibition title, Western American Art South of the Sweet Tea Line III, loosely defines the geographic area which is home to these amazing works of art. The “Sweet Tea Line” is the line below which sweet tea is found in abundance while above it, sweet tea lovers are left trying to dissolve sweetener in cold tea.

Guests can view the exhibit in the Special Exhibition Gallery through Feb. 12.