Fierce Planets: Work from the Studio Art Quilt Associates

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
The juried exhibition Fierce Planets features fiber art inspired by the work of Dr. Sabine Stanley, the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Space Exploration Sector of the Applied Physics Lab, and author of the book, What’s Hidden Inside Planets. Responding to a call from the Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA), artists from across the globe designed forty-two intricate objects inspired by planets and space. Their interpretations vary wildly, and include traditional quilts, fabric assemblages, and soft sculptures made using a variety of materials and techniques. Objects and artifacts from LSU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and Geology and Geophysics, including a tile from a Space Shuttle and meteorites, will accompany the artwork, allowing the viewer to glean a deeper appreciation and knowledge of space and the formation of planets.

To complement the exhibition, Associate Professor Loren Schwerd from LSU’s College of Art and Design, has integrated a site-specific project into her spring coursework. Students will design and install a sculpture inspired by the cosmos and the Fierce Planets theme. The work will be on view in the adjoining gallery for the length of the exhibition. Fierce Planets was designed and coordinated by Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc., in partnership with Johns Hopkins University. The LSU Museum of Art is the premiere venue, with the exhibition expected to travel nationally and internationally over the next several years.

This exhibition will be on view April 18–September 8, 2024.

Exhibition Lenders & Sponsors

Fierce Planets was designed and coordinated by Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc., in partnership with Johns Hopkins University. The LSU Museum of Art is the premiere venue, with the exhibition expected to travel nationally and internationally over the next several years. We would like to thank the generous donors to the Annual Exhibition Fund: The Imo N. Brown Memorial Fund in memory of Heidel Brown and Mary Ann Brown; The Alma Lee, H. N., and Cary Saurage Fund; Charles “Chuck” Edward Schwing; Robert and Linda Bowsher; and The Newton B. Thomas Family/Newtron Group Fund.

LSU MOA Installation

Past Events

Featured
Access for All Day: Stitch by Stitch, Vote by Vote
Sep 1
Access for All Day: Stitch by Stitch, Vote by Vote

Join us for an afternoon that celebrates America's rich tapestry of cultures and dreams inspired by the artists of Gee's Bend whose quilts were an expression of their freedom and love for their community. Come try out sewing and other textile techniques and leave with your own creation! The League of Women Voters and the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice will be here with information about voter registration. Members of LSU's Department of Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising will also be here to share their fascinating research! Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Toddler Thursday (July 11)
Jul 11
Toddler Thursday (July 11)

Cool off with a fun snow cone project. Designed for kids five and under accompanied by a caregiver. Free admission is made possible through a grant with the Junior League of Baton Rouge. *Due to the July 4th holiday, this will be held on Thursday, July 11.

Access for All Day: Greater Baton Rouge Kids' Orchestra
Jul 7
Access for All Day: Greater Baton Rouge Kids' Orchestra

Enjoy music by Kids’ Orchestra, explore the museum, and create art projects in the education gallery. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Astronomy on Tap at The LSU Museum of Art
Jun 27
Astronomy on Tap at The LSU Museum of Art

LSU Museum of Art and the LSU Department of Physics and Astronomy host a cosmic evening at the museum. Professor of Physics, Dr. Rob Hynes, and Assistant Professors of Physics and Astronomy, Dr. Matt Penny, lead a talk about the Nancy Roman Space Telescope.

Toddler Thursday
Jun 6
Toddler Thursday

Create a Solar Summer Solstice inspired piece of art. Designed for kids five and under accompanied by a caregiver. Free admission is made possible through a grant with the Junior League of Baton Rouge.

Access for All Day: Journey into Space
Jun 2
Access for All Day: Journey into Space

Get ready for an out-of-this-world art experience! Explore a mobile planetarium, create space themed craft art, and enjoy the exciting Fierce Planets exhibition. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

LECTURE / NASA: A Bright Future for Everyone
May 30
LECTURE / NASA: A Bright Future for Everyone

Join NASA Associate Chief Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate Robert Southers as he gives guest a look at  NASA’s vision for the future of space exploration, you will be introduced to the concepts of commercializing the space industry, and apprised of the current risks associated with the plans to venture to the Moon and eventually Mars.

Toddler Thursday
May 2
Toddler Thursday

Abstract Galaxy! Create a space inspired piece of abstract art. Designed for kids five and under accompanied by a caregiver. Free admission is made possible through a grant with the Junior League of Baton Rouge.

Astronomy on Tap at The Varsity Theatre
Apr 25
Astronomy on Tap at The Varsity Theatre

LSU Museum of Art and the LSU Department of Physics and Astronomy host an cosmic evening of science, games, and spirits at The Varsity Theatre.

Fierce Planets & Interior Space Opening Reception & Panel Discussion
Apr 18
Fierce Planets & Interior Space Opening Reception & Panel Discussion

Celebrate the opening of the museum’s two newest exhibitions inspired by space: Fierce Planets: Work from the Studio Art Quilt Associates and Interior Space: Photographs by Roland Miller and Paolo Nespoli. Learn more in a panel discussion featuring Interior Space photographer Roland Miller and Dr. Natalie Hinkel, Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy at LSU. This program will be moderated by astronomer at LSU, Dr. Caleb Wheeler. Reception to follow.

Press

Featured
The Advocate-Baton Rouge features the exhibition Fierce Planets: Work from the Studio Art Quilt Associates.
The Advocate-Baton Rouge features the exhibition Fierce Planets: Work from the Studio Art Quilt Associates.

The Advocate-Baton Rouge features the exhibition Fierce Planets: Work from the Studio Art Quilt Associates.

A Guide to Art Museums in Baton Rouge: Country Roads Magazine
A Guide to Art Museums in Baton Rouge: Country Roads Magazine

Country Roads Magazine features the LSU Museum of Art in its May 2024 Arts Issue in ‘A Guide to Art Museums in Baton Rouge.’ Click below to read!

WRKF covers "Fierce Planets"
WRKF covers "Fierce Planets"

WRKF: The LSU Museum of Art will host a unique exhibition of quilts inspired by planetary science.The fiber artwork exhibition, “Fierce Planets: Work from the Studio Art Quilt Associates,” draws from the research of renowned planetary physicist Dr. Sabine Stanley and her book "What's Hidden Inside Planets." The exhibition is curated by Michelle Schulte. We hear from both of them.

LSU Museum of Art Space-Inspired Exhibitions coming in April 2024
LSU Museum of Art Space-Inspired Exhibitions coming in April 2024

This spring and summer, the LSU Museum of art is going to space! We will feature two concurrent exhibitions themed around the cosmos: Fierce Planets: Work from the Studio Art Quilt Associates, and Interior Space: Photographs by Roland Miller.