2026 Loveland Museum Marquetry Exhibit
MARQUETRY: An Evolution of Art in Wood
Loveland Museum Foote Auditorium July 10 – September 26, 2026
TheLovelandMuseum.org
Click HERE for Images of Loveland Museum Art Gallery
Jennifer Cousino – Curator of History
Jenni Dobson Curator of Education
Days/Hours Schedule Closed Sunday and Monday. Tuesday – Wednesday 11:00 – 5:00
Thursday – Friday Noon – 7:00. Saturday 10:00 – 4:00.
2nd Friday or the month from May – September, Loveland Night on the Town. Free Admission at the museum from 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Adult cost of admission is $7 for residents and $10 for non-residents of Loveland.
Foote Auditorium (In the lower level of the museum)
Typically can accommodate 30 – 40 wall hung pieces. Currently there are close to 80 pieces on the walls, but that is not the norm. (See photos) Pieces should not exceed 30 x 36 inches..
3-D pieces would be placed on pedestals against the wall in the rear corner across from the entrance. Several different sizes of pedestals are available from just over one foot square to a three foot square.
The video display for the “process” slideshow would be mounted over the window in the back of the room. The slides would show the steps in how a marquetry piece is created and be approximately 3 – 5 minutes in length. The museum staff can put the slide show together from the photos that are submitted by the artist.
The room is occasionally used for meetings or presentations, primarily by the museum and other city departments. The chairs are removed after those meetings, leaving the middle of the room totally open except for a bench or two for people to sit on.
If someone is planning to attend from a great distance, they can contact the museum to coordinate their visit to avoid times when the gallery is in use for other activities.
There would be an introductory panel explaining marquetry and its evolution near the entrance to the gallery. Jennifer Cousino has created a first draft of this document.
RMMG table with information on our guild and how to reach us through the website, Facebook, or by email will be located just outside or inside the entrance to the room.
July 10th 2026 Opening Reception
This is on the second Friday of the month, which is a Loveland Night on the Town event. It generates considerable activity in the area with numerous galleries, shops and restaurants. Admission to the Museum will be free on that night from 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Light food selections will be available, such as cheese, crackers, fruit, vegetables and possibly a charcuterie board. The museum will cover the cost and provide the service. Beer and wine will be available for $4.00 per glass. The room will be set up with high top cocktail tables.
We have discussed the possibility of one of our members doing a demonstration at the reception.
Artwork Submittals
RMMG sponsored but some artwork may come from members of the American Marquetry Society.
Artists will need to submit photos and descriptions of their pieces in early 2026 in order to plan the gallery exhibit. Final submittals of high resolution photos (300 DPI, or better, in TIFF or JPG format) before April 25th.
Artists will be responsible for the packing and shipping costs to the museum, which has a dedicated receiving and storage area. The museum will cover the cost of packaging and shipping artworks back to the artist.
Artists will need to submit information for the labels for their artwork. Besides the basics of name, title of pieces, location, price or NFS, you may also create a QR Code to provide visitors with more information. The museum takes a 35% commission on all sales.
If more artwork is submitted than the room capacity, we discussed the use of a committee including the museum curator and possibly 2 – 3 local artists to make the selections.
We also discussed establishing some awards to be presented. One suggestion was to have a “viewers” choice award based on attendees voting throughout the 10 week show. We also need to discuss if and how artworks could be critiqued.
TIMELINE
January ??, 2026 Any planned classes or workshops need to be submitted to be included in the Beet Education Center’s calendar.
February 27, 2026 Layout and gallery design plan with Eric Franklin
April 25, 2026 Each artist to submit 2 – 3 Hi Res photos of their artwork(s)
April 25, 2026 Dates of events/tours finalized for inclusion on gallery rack card
May 23, 2026 Final inventory list (artist, title, medium, date, sales/price, ins. value)
June 26, 2026 Final date for delivery of art.
July 10, 2026 6 – 8 PM. Opening reception on monthly Night on the Town event (free admission from 5 – 8 PM).
The Loveland Museum is providing us a first class space and a professional staff for this gallery exhibit. They cover all costs, except for half of the shipping. They create the graphics, advertising (print, web site, Facebook, their extensive mailing list), and receiving and hanging the artwork, a secure facility, insurance coverage on the items on display and the Beet Education Center for classes and workshops.
Marquetry: An Evolution of Art in Wood (By Jennifer Cousino)
Marquetry is the intricate craft of creating patterns or pictures by inlaying thin pieces of wood, often in various species with different colors and textures, into a wooden surface. The pieces of wood are meticulously cut, shaped, and then fitted together to form a larger design or image. The word marquetry comes from the French term marqueter, meaning “to mark” or “to inlay.”
History and Craft:
Historically, marquetry dates back to ancient Egypt, but it gained significant popularity during the Renaissance and Baroque periods in Europe. At that time, it was primarily used for the decoration of furniture, cabinets, and paneling, creating elaborate, geometric, and floral designs. In its early days, it was often combined with other materials like ivory, mother-of-pearl, and metals, enhancing the beauty and detail of the work.
As the craft evolved, it became more refined, with highly skilled artisans producing not just decorative patterns but detailed imagery such as landscapes, portraits, and scenes. During the 17th and 18th centuries, marquetry reached its peak in Europe, particularly in France and Italy, where it was seen as a symbol of wealth and status. Royalty and the aristocracy commissioned grand pieces that showcased both artistic vision and craftsmanship.
From Craft to Art:
Marquetry transitioned from a functional craft to a high art form in the 19th and 20th centuries, influenced by changing artistic movements and the Industrial Revolution. The mass production of furniture and decor made handcrafted marquetry rarer, and its use became associated with fine, one-of-a-kind works of art rather than mass production.
The refinement of marquetry techniques allowed artisans to create intricate, expressive works that went beyond traditional furniture. Artists began to experiment with the visual potential of the craft, creating abstract designs and even representing natural landscapes or human forms with wood, leading to its appreciation in the fine art world.
The Modern Approach:
In the contemporary art world, marquetry is used not just in furniture making, but as an independent art form. Artists push the boundaries by using different types of wood, incorporating other materials like stone or metal, and sometimes even using marquetry in combination with other artistic mediums, such as painting or sculpture. Modern marquetry involves more precise cutting techniques, such as laser cutting, and the combination of handcraft with technology. This allows for even greater detail and complexity in design.
The appreciation of marquetry as an art form is rooted in its demand for patience, precision, and creativity, turning each piece into a unique work of visual storytelling. With marquetry, the artist essentially paints with wood, creating depth, texture, and color variations that reflect a deeply personal and intricate interpretation of the world around them.
In conclusion, marquetry began as a functional craft but has evolved into a celebrated art form, admired for its technical skill, beauty, and the creativity required to transform wood into intricate designs or even representations of scenes and portraits. It continues to be a craft that requires both artistic vision and meticulous craftsmanship, ensuring its place in the contemporary art scene.