As the Speed Art Museum construction and expansion project takes shape on Third Street, the Museum’s satellite space, Local Speed, will host its seventh exhibition entitled, Teatime Chic.

From bold and colorful to white and austere, this exhibition’s tea and coffee services illustrate changing definitions of “modern” over the course of sixty years. In each case, the set’s designer treated ceramic as both a sculptural medium with which to create distinctive shapes and as an empty canvas to either decorate or leave stripped bare.
By purchasing a tea or coffee set like one of these, the buyer made a bold personal choice; during the first half of the twentieth century, most consumers preferred traditional, floral-decorated ceramics. One’s choice was also a public statement of style: from the time tea and coffee first arrived in Europe and America in the 1600s, ceramic pots, cups and accessories served and presented these drinks to friends, family, and guests. The pieces shown in the exhibition proclaim their owners’ modern sensibilities to those who joined them at the table. Visitors to Teatime Chic can imagine these pieces arranged among a table-top landscape of cakes and jam, sandwiches and scones, crisp linens and conversation.

Teatime Chic opens to the public during the Republic Bank First Friday Trolley Hop on Friday, March 6 starting at 5pm. Enjoy live music, coffee by Red Hot Roasters, a cash bar by Hill Billy Tea, and giveaways. Speed Members receive a complimentary drink ticket and discounts to participating Nulu restaurants and businesses by showing their membership card. The exhibition runs at Local Speed through July 25, 2015.

 The Speed Art Museum is Kentucky’s largest art museum with a collection that spans 6,000 years of human creativity. An independent museum located on the campus of the University of Louisville, the Speed continues to play an important role in outreach initiatives, workshops, tours and art-related school programs. The Museum is situated at a crossroads between the city and the University of Louisville, adjacent to the busiest pedestrian thoroughfare on the University’s campus. The Speed is currently closed and undergoing a multi-phase expansion and renovation that includes a new North and South Building, 150 seat theater, Art Park and a public Piazza. To view a virtual tour or for more information visit www.speedmuseum.org.

Although the Museum is closed for the renovation and expansion until the spring of 2016, “Local Speed” – the Museum’s temporary home–was established in downtown Louisville’s trendy Nulu district at 822 East Market Street. The Nulu space has 6,000 sq. ft. of special exhibit and programming areas as well as administrative offices for museum staff. Local Speed is free and open to the public Friday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For more information on upcoming programs and events, visit www.speedmuseum.org, friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter: @speedartmuseum.

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