EXTREMELY GRAND OPENING AUGUST 2-5, 2007

One of the most prestigious minds in the art world, Dr. Hoving is a celebrated author, former head of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and passionate connoisseur of the arts.  As the “inventor” of the blockbuster exhibition King Tut, he has years of experience and insight into the modern museum and will lend his profound knowledge of art to a variety of events celebrating the Fine Arts Center's new museum.

Don't miss Thomas Hoving at the Fine Arts Center Thursday, August 2!
Schedule of Events | Tickets: call 719.634.5583

On Thursday August 2, Dr. Hoving will share his expertise and appreciation of art through tales of his escapades in the world of international art. “The Artful Tommy: Thomas Hoving, America’s Culture Scamp, Reveals How He Zig-Zagged His Way Through the Art World" promises to be both entertaining and enlightening. Lecture ticket-holders will be able to explore the new museum before the lecture begins, starting at 5 pm.

Thomas Hoving joined the Met in 1959, working in the medieval department at The Cloisters until 1965, when he became curator of the department. He left the museum in 1966 to become New York Mayor John V. Lindsay's parks commissioner, but in 1967 returned to the Met as director after the incumbent, James J. Rorimer, died suddenly. Hoving assumed the directorship on March 17, 1967 and presided over a massive expansion and renovation of the museum, successfully adding many important collections to its holdings. Hoving is the author of books on a number of art-related subjects, as well as his memoirs of his time at the Met. His titles include Making the Mummies Dance: Inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Master Pieces: The Curator's Game, False Impressions, Greatest Works of Art of Western Civilization, and Art For Dummies in the "...For Dummies" series.  His newest book, The Artful Tommy, will be available during the FAC opening events.

"As director of Manhattan's Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1967 to 1977, brash, energetic Hoving transformed a stodgy, elitist institution into a bottom-line-oriented business enterprise, a modernized, expansive museum that actively engages the public."
— Publishers Weekly

John Waters is a filmmaker, author and photographer based in Baltimore and New York. His films, photos and writings make the transition from underground to mainstream without losing their aesthetic integrity. Among his best known films: Hairspray, Cry Baby, Pecker, Pink Flamingoes, and Cecil B. Demented.

Mr. Waters is also a talented photographer and artist, exhibiting his work in New York, London, Paris, Milan, Vienna, Los Angeles and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

Don't miss John Waters at the Fine Arts Center Friday, August 3!
Schedule of Events | Buy Tickets Now

On Friday, August 3 at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, John Waters will screen his film Cecil B. Demented. 

After the screening, John Waters will answer questions about his film and speak of his wide knowledge of contemporary art. Film ticket-holders will be able to explore the new museum before the screening begins—doors open at noon.

Joel Grey is a legendary American stage and screen actor who won both a Tony and an Academy Award for his performance in Cabaret and was part of the original cast of the hit Broadway musical Wicked. He is also an acclaimed photographer.

Don't miss Joel Grey at the Fine Arts Center Saturday, August 4!
Schedule of Events | Buy Tickets Now

On Saturday, August 4, Mr. Grey will join us for "A Conversation with Joel Grey," in which he will speak with Dr. Michael De Marsche about his theatre career and his photographic work highlighted in his books "Pictures I Had To Take" and "Looking Hard at Unexamined Things." Ticket-holders will be able to explore the new museum before the talk begins—doors open at 5 pm.

After the lecture, take part in a dessert reception and Joel Grey book signing in the FAC Deco and Theatre Lounges.

When Dr. Michael De Marsche arrived in Colorado Springs as the new President and CEO of the Fine Arts Center in August of 2003, he decided to focus on two things: improving the quality of the visitor experience and restoring the FAC to its past grandeur. Changes were made to the facility’s interior to make it more welcoming. He wanted patrons to feel a sense of anticipation when they walked in the door. He took a dwindling membership and watched it soar by introducing mini-blockbuster exhibitions like Linda McCartney, Andy Warhol, Peter Max and, in 2005, Dale Chihuly.

The Chihuly exhibition took the city by storm; 80,000 patrons visited the FAC – the largest turnout in FAC history – and membership tripled. The exhibition provided a much-needed boost to the renovation and expansion project, which culminated in the FAC’s $28.4 million, 48,000-square foot expansion.

The expansion allows the FAC tremendous flexibility in displaying its own permanent collection and provides the space to present many of the world’s finest traveling exhibitions. During the past four years a large number of works were added to the FAC’s permanent collection, including an important collection of Dale Chihuly glass.

Don't miss Dr. De Marsche's lecture, History and Future of the Fine Arts Center, Sunday, August 5!
Schedule of Events | Admission is free, but tickets are required: call 719.634.5583

Dr. De Marsche came to the FAC from the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University, where he was founding director, involved in every step of the new museum’s design and construction. He holds a Bachelor’s and Masters’ degree in Art History from Arizona State and Stanford University and a Ph.D. in Art History from Stanford; while working on his dissertation he received a fellowship to work at the Muéee du Louvre in Paris.