By Bechtler Staff

Open less than a year, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, in Charlotte, North Carolina has garnered national and international attention. Though a small museum, the Bechtler possess a stellar collection of modern art created by major figures of 20^th-century modernism.

Making a private art collection public involves myriad projects. An arts initiative grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is funding the digitization of the Bechtler collection and has enabled the museum to create a special component of its website featuring all the artwork in the Bechtler’s first changing exhibition: School of Paris: European Abstraction Post World War II. The special site was designed for the user to engage as much or as little as desired. One can read special website-only features on selected artists or merely click through the images at warp speed. In addition to art images, the site provides audio commentary (the same commentary provided to museum visitors for free).  The visual and audio elements fuse together to create a personalized and dynamic viewing experience.

The Bechtler developed a slate of French-themed programming to complement the museum’s School ofParis exhibition, which runs through March. It was standing-room only for the October 15 and November 5 Jazz at the Bechtler concerts during which the Charlotte-based Ziad Jazz Quartet performed Parisian jazz and cabaret songs from the 1940s and ‘50s. In September and November, the Bechtler’s Music and Museum series (an innovative concert/lecture/art experience) featured French composers along with works from the School of Paris exhibition.  A special two-night Tribute to Edith Piaf in October was an early sell out and garnered rave reviews from attendees.  In December, the museum kicks off its Monday Movie series with two French-themed classics: An American in Paris and Breathless.