The Greenville County Museum of Art owns a stunning collection of paintings by Andrew Wyeth, the man known as "America's Painter." It is an important reason that people from all over the world visit the Greenville Museum. Andrew Wyeth: The Greenville Collection,includes 32 watercolors and an important tempera painting and features major examples from every phase of Wyeth's career.

When Mr. Wyeth turns ninety on July 12, the Museum will kick off a month-long schedule of special programs and events to celebrate and explore his work. It begins with a visual treasure hunt, an interactive event that focuses attention on some of the visual keys to Wyeth's work. On Saturday, July 14, the Museum holds an open house and family day that features music and art demonstrations as well as activities that parents and children can enjoy together. A giant birthday card for Wyeth is one of the highlights, and of course some birthday cake is on the menu.

On Sunday, July 15, Museum Curator Martha Severens leads a gallery talk that compares Andrew Wyeth and Jasper Johns. Greenville's Museum is unique in owning important collections by these two artists, both of whom are regarded among the most important in the world. While their media and their styles are very different, Severens has some interesting thoughts on bringing these collections together. It's one of three Sunday gallery talks planned for the month. On Sunday, July 22, a gallery talk will explore the Wyeth's landscape paintings; Sunday, July 29, the gallery talk will focus on Wyeth's portraits. All of the gallery talks begin at 2 pm.

Media and technique are the focus on Thursday, July 19, as the Wyeth at 90 series presents artists Jeanet Dreskin and Bruce Bunch demonstrating the use of tempera and drybrush watercolor, both favorites of Andrew Wyeth. Using works from the Wyeth collection and hands-on examples, Dreskin and Bunch will bring the extraordinary technical achievements of Andrew Wyeth into sharp focus.

Greenville artists Joe Thompson and Diane Kilgore Condon take over on Thursday, July 26, discussing ways in which Andrew Wyeth has affected their work. The event is part of the Artists Talk series, a quarterly program that brings participants together with area artists to develop a keen and contemporary perspective on exhibitions at the Museum.

The programs are planned to benefit those who are new to Wyeth's work and those who have followed him for decades. It's an opportunity for residents and visitors to connect (or reconnect!) with this vitally important American artist.

The Greenville County Museum of Art opens at 11 am Tuesday through Saturday and at 1 pm on Sunday; the galleries close at 5 pm, except on Thursdays, when they remain open until 8 pm. Admission is always absolutely free.

Schedule of events

Thursday, July 12, 6:30 pm
Looking at Andrew Wyeth: a visual treasure hunt

Saturday, July 14, 2–4 pm
Museum Open House, with music, demonstrations, activities for children.

Sunday, July 15, 2:00 pm
Two Giants: Andrew Wyeth and Jasper Johns, a gallery talk

Thursday, July 19, 6:30 pm
Demonstrations in tempera and drybrush by artists Jeanet Dreskin and Bruce Bunch

Sunday, July 22, 2:00 pm
Wyeth’s Landscapes, a gallery talk

Thursday, July 26, 6:30 pm
Artists Talk: Joe Thompson and Diane Kilgore-Condon on Andrew Wyeth

Sunday, July 29, 2:00 pm
Wyeth’s Portraits, a gallery talk