Gum Tree Museum of Art Offers Rotating Exhibitions
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Tina Lutz – aka “Tina Fish” – insists on one thing, repeatedly, while talking about the Gum Tree Museum of Art.
“We are free of charge to the general public,” she says of the museum located in the circa-1905 Peoples Bank and Trust Co. building in downtown Tupelo.
“It’s really important that the public knows we are here and that they come in to see the quality artwork.”
In the 14 years Lutz has been running the museum, the space has been decorated by the works of Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Mississippi masters and Tupelo schoolchildren.
“We do this to emphasize the importance of the arts in the schools,” she explains.
It is in those schools that Lutz is often called “Miss Fish,” because she uses the aquatic moniker as her studio name.
“It’s really corny,” she admits. “I’m a Pisces. I’m a water rat.”
She also focuses on fish in her own artwork, such as the painted fish chair that won the purchase prize in the Gum Tree Festival 14 years ago, earning her recognition and indirectly leading her from the life of an artist in Laurel, Miss., to museum operator and art educator.
“People know me as Tina Fish,” she says. “The little people know me as Miss Fish, the crazy art lady with the crazy fish life.”
She laughs at herself, but the fact that people know her by her studio name is evidence of the impact she has had since taking over operations in the Beaux Arts-style building that’s listed on the National Historic Register.
From educational programs to fine art, Lutz/Fish is dedicated to providing a platform or an easel to anyone who is interested in art.
Story by Tim Ghianni
Photo by Jeff Adkins
Comments
Very interesting article.
By Andy
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