Ohr-O'Keefe Museum Of Art
Encyclopedia
The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum Of Art is a non-profit art museum located in Biloxi, Mississippi
, dedicated to the ceramics of George E. Ohr
, the self-proclaimed "Mad Potter of Biloxi". The museum is named for ceramic artist George E. Ohr, as well as Annette O'Keefe, late wife of former Biloxi mayor Jeremiah O'Keefe, Sr., who was instrumental in donating money and raising funds for the completion of the museum campus.
The five-building museum campus was designed by architect Frank Gehry
to "dance" with the ancient live oak
trees on the 4-acre (1.6-hectare) site.
In August 2005, the museum was damaged during Hurricane Katrina
, but construction continued.
On November 8, 2010, three buildings on the east side of the campus opened with outstanding exhibitions, including George Ohr pottery from Gulf Coast collections. The Mississippi Sound Welcome Center, the IP Casino Resort & Spa Exhibitions Gallery, and the Gallery of African American Art are now open, in addition to the Pleasant Reed Interpretive Center. Completion of the Center for Ceramics building and the George E. Ohr Gallery is scheduled for 2012. When the Center for Ceramics is completed, the museum will provide classes in ceramics in its new studios. The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of art is continuing its community and school outreach programs, as well as, the summer "Mud Daubers" camp for ages 6–12.
In July 2011, less than a year after it opened, the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum was facing financial difficulties because revenues were not sufficient to cover operating costs. In October 2011, the Biloxi City Council
agreed to provide financial support for the museum, which is housed in city-owned buildings, with an expectation that the museum would grow into a center for cultural tourism.
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the population as 44,054. Along with Gulfport, Biloxi is a county seat of Harrison County....
, dedicated to the ceramics of George E. Ohr
George E. Ohr
George Edgar Ohr was an American ceramic artist and the self-proclaimed "Mad Potter of Biloxi." In recognition of his innovative experimentation with modern clay forms from 1880–1910, some...
, the self-proclaimed "Mad Potter of Biloxi". The museum is named for ceramic artist George E. Ohr, as well as Annette O'Keefe, late wife of former Biloxi mayor Jeremiah O'Keefe, Sr., who was instrumental in donating money and raising funds for the completion of the museum campus.
The five-building museum campus was designed by architect Frank Gehry
Frank Gehry
Frank Owen Gehry, is a Canadian American Pritzker Prize-winning architect based in Los Angeles, California.His buildings, including his private residence, have become tourist attractions...
to "dance" with the ancient live oak
Live oak
Live oak , also known as the southern live oak, is a normally evergreen oak tree native to the southeastern United States...
trees on the 4-acre (1.6-hectare) site.
In August 2005, the museum was damaged during Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, but construction continued.
On November 8, 2010, three buildings on the east side of the campus opened with outstanding exhibitions, including George Ohr pottery from Gulf Coast collections. The Mississippi Sound Welcome Center, the IP Casino Resort & Spa Exhibitions Gallery, and the Gallery of African American Art are now open, in addition to the Pleasant Reed Interpretive Center. Completion of the Center for Ceramics building and the George E. Ohr Gallery is scheduled for 2012. When the Center for Ceramics is completed, the museum will provide classes in ceramics in its new studios. The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of art is continuing its community and school outreach programs, as well as, the summer "Mud Daubers" camp for ages 6–12.
In July 2011, less than a year after it opened, the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum was facing financial difficulties because revenues were not sufficient to cover operating costs. In October 2011, the Biloxi City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
agreed to provide financial support for the museum, which is housed in city-owned buildings, with an expectation that the museum would grow into a center for cultural tourism.