Springfield Art Museum

Happy Friday Pride-Day from the Springfield Art Museum!

This week we're celebrating Missouri LGBTQ+ artist Nick Cave and how he uses drag, club culture and costume in his work.

"His early creative expression took form in the drag outfits he concocted for jaunts to nightclubs, where he danced, he says, mostly alone late into the night. Knowing these things about Cave gives you a way into his work. His sound suits are an outrageous sort of drag — of course they are, mysterious, anonymous, hard-to categorize. 'I am not putting the fact that I am a black, gay artist in your face but this is who I am,' said Cave. He’s not sure how much of that actually comes through. His work is about identity, but audiences rarely bring up sexuality or gender politics when he gives public lectures. 'I think people are afraid to talk about that,' he said." - The Denver Post

The "legs" section of Cave's "Exquisite Co**se" has been on view in our "Creating an American Identity" exhibition and part of an 18-piece set of lithographs, in 2022. This suite of work was purchased with funds from Art In Bloom, and in recognition of Kate Baird’s tenure as Museum Educator.



Image credit: Nick Cave, "Untitled [Legs]," 2015, Lithograph on paper. Museum Acquisition Fund, with funds provided by Art In Bloom, and in recognition of Museum Educator Kate Baird's tenure, 2013-2021. Collection of the Springfield Art Museum. Photo credits: "Exquisite Co**se" installation view.

In observance of Juneteenth, the Springfield Art Museum reflects on the long and ongoing journey toward freedom and justice in the United States, and celebrates work that honors that.

We invite you to visit "Ernest and Ruth" (2015) by conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas, located on the Museum's Hatch Lawn. This sculpture, shaped like a speech bubble and named after the artist’s grandparents, offers more than a place to rest; as Thomas notes, “When viewers occupy the piece, they are encouraged to contemplate what it means to inhabit their own speech and beliefs.”

The Museum offices are closed today in observance of the holiday.



Image credit: Hank Willis Thomas, "Ernest and Ruth," 2015. Cor-ten steel. Permanent collection of the Springfield Art Museum.

A well-deserved honor to Tyra Knox, who has been an integral part of the Springfield Art Museum for the past 28 years! Congratulations Tyra Knox!

2026 NAACP BLACK EXCELLENCE HONOREE

Congratulations, Tyra Knox 🦋

Tyra K. Knox, Executive Assistant to the Director, Springfield Art Museum. After 28 years of dedicated service, Tyra K. Knox leaves a lasting legacy at the Springfield Art Museum, where her leadership, financial expertise, and commitment to service helped guide the institution through decades of growth and change.

Since joining the Museum in 1996, Tyra has worked alongside two Museum Directors,
four City Managers, and numerous board members, providing stability and continuity
through leadership transitions, major renovations, and expansion projects. She served as the primary financial lead for significant building projects, including the Museum's expansions, and for nearly ten months helped oversee operations during a director transition, ensuring the Museum continued to thrive without interruption.

Widely respected for her mastery of city contracts, financial management, and
administrative operations, Tyra also supervised Security and Visitor Services,
coordinated United Way Day of Caring initiatives, and organized countless receptions, artist dinners, staff celebrations, and community events.

The values that shaped Tyra's career were instilled by her parents, who taught her the
importance of hard work, honesty, fairness, and helping those in need. Those
principles became the foundation of her professional and personal life.

Beyond the Museum, Tyra devoted herself to family, faith, and community service. While building a distinguished career, she raised her son, helped grow Deliverance Temple Church, supported the growth of Unite News, co founded the Springfield Multicultural Festival, and cared for loved ones with compassion and grace.

Tyra has been married to her husband Samuel for 44 years. Their son Brad, daughter-in-law Amy and grandson Griffin are the highlights of her life. As she retires, Tyra reflects most fondly on the friendships she built along the way. Her colleagues became a second family, and her legacy of service, integrity, and kindness will continue to inspire the Museum and community for years to come.

Congratulations Tyra!

Thank you for doing all that do, and for being all that you are!

Join us in celebrating Tyra, June 20th at the 2026 NAACP Black Excellence portion of the Juneteenth.

Erin from Guaranty Bank and Kate from Friends of the Springfield Art Museum give you all the info about Guaranty Bank's Pops in the Park on Unscripted AM! Watch below if you missed it live!

Pops in The Park Hosted By The Springfield Art Museum Pops in The Park Hosted By The Springfield Art MuseumSubscribe to...

We had such a great time bringing Unscripted AMto the Museum to check out the construction progress.

Check Out What's Coming To The Springfield Art Museum Check Out What's Coming To The Springfield Art Museum

Everything you need to know about Guaranty Bank's Pops in the Park on June 20th! Other questions? Drop them below and we'll do our best to answer them! Our big question for you: Are you ready for an amazing night!?

Bank presents: Pops in the Park, benefiting the Springfield Art Museum Guaranty Bank

Springfield Symphony Orchestra MO of Springfield, MO

🌈 Happy Friday Pride Day from Your Art Museum!

Today, we recognize David Hockney (1937–2026), one of the most influential artists of the last century and an important figure in q***r art history. Hockney passed away peacefully this week at his home in London at age 88.

In the early 1960s, while homosexuality was still criminalized in the UK, Hockney began exploring q***r themes through subtle symbolism and layered imagery. As a student at the Royal College of Art, he created works like We Two Boys Together Clinging, embedding representations of gay desire into his art at a time when it was considered illegal and taboo.

Throughout his long career, he continued to explore new places and new tools—working in London, California, Yorkshire, and Normandy, and experimenting with everything from painting and printmaking to photography, stage design, and even iPad drawing.

The Springfield Art Museum is proud to include "Blue Hang Cliff" by David Hockney in its permanent collection.

Image credit: David Hockney, "Blue Hang Cliff," 1993, ink on paper lithograph. Permanent collection of the Springfield Art Museum

Artist photo: Aurélien Meunier/Getty Images

https://www.artnews.com/feature/david-hockney-dead-at-88-1234789018/