Crowd detail Band detail Balloon detail

Worlds of Wonder in Wood:
The Kirk Brothers Circus
September 29-November 30, 2007

Preview Party
Friday, September 28
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Members $15
Non-members $20

Saturday, September 29
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Free Opening Reception

Saturday, October 6
3:15 p.m.
Talk by Kory Rogers
Curator of Exhibits at the Shelburn Museum

The Kirk Brothers Circus is a staggeringly complex masterpiece of American folk art. Consisting of thousands of figures of people and animals as well as all the props and hardware of a great traveling circus, this tour-de-force of woodcarving was made by Edgar Kirk of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Beginning in 1910, Kirk spent some fifty years carving and painting the Circus, which today belongs to the permanent collection of the Shelburne Museum. The special building in which the Circus is housed is scheduled for renovations in 2007-2008, and during this time, the Arts Center will have the rare opportunity of displaying the Circus for the benefit of its own audiences.

Edgar Kirk was the grandfather of Arts Center member artist Patti Zeigler. This family connection will provide new insights on the making and meaning of the Circus as a major work of American folk art. As folk art, the Circus itself will provide an enlightening counterpoint to the fine art represented in Yester House Gallery and the Arts Center’s permanent collection. Deep meaning aside, the Circus will instantly appeal to the child in all of us. Accompanying it will be a selection of colorful vintage circus posters from the Shelburne’s unparalleled collection of circus memorabilia.

This show sponsored in part by: Patti and Jim Zeigler, Libby Stugers, Charlotte and George McLaughlin, Jennifer and Doug Poling, Sally and Robert Arthur, Jean Riddell, and Susan and Charles Moritz

Francis Park Kirk and Edgar Decker Kirk on the wedding day of their daughter, Gladys Kirk Corns, 1933