Throughout their history, sideboards symbolized status. They were the perfect accompaniment to well-dressed and well-mannered diners. Such was the case in early nineteenth-century Kentucky: estate inventories and other documentary sources show that sideboards were often among the most expensive pieces of furniture one could own. The magnificent sideboard shown here certainly shows why the form was so costly. Its complex profile, richly figured veneers, precise inlays, and the exceptional quality of its craftsmanship place it among the most ambitious Kentucky sideboards to have survived from the early nineteenth century. It was made between about 1800 and 1815, probably in Lexington or its surrounding area.

In this short video, Robert Brewer, the sideboard’s previous owner, describes the unique circumstances surrounding his purchase of the piece in 1951.

On September 22, families enjoyed a full day of fun at the Museum as part of the expansion kickoff celebration featuring musical performances by Mom’s RockSchool, family portraits in Art Sparks, films from the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, paintball painting, and a Cupcake Creation Café & Ice Cream Emporium, courtesy of The Comfy Cow and Bake My Day. Photos by Frankie Steele.

The Speed celebrated the kickoff of its $50 million expansion project with a weekend full of events! This year’s 100/100 party invited guests to make their mark on the Speed like never before with a collaborative art project on the Museum’s walls. The evening also featured dancing in the Sculpture Court with spinning by Jaleel Bunton from the band TV on the Radio.

The Speed Art Museum partnered with the International Network for the Conservation of Contemporary Art – North America (INCCA-NA) and Louisville’s Commission on Public Art (COPA) to present a two-day symposium, titled “The Power of Public Space” from September 14-15. This program welcomed conservators, artists, and the public to consider the importance of, and provide solutions, to conserve and maintain public art. Photos by Kenneth Hayden.

Curator Scott Erbes discusses the Speed’s newest Masterpiece, a Kentucky sideboard, in a conversation with Matthew, a Speed Youth Apprentice.

The Museum came to life with a dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment as part of UofL’s Student Welcome Week. More than 1,200 students shared a night at the Speed full of interactive art projects, fire dancers and other performers, henna tattooing, a photo booth, music, and scavenger hunts of the collection.

In this video, Hannah interviews the curator of Going for the Gold: Selections from the Kebric Olympic Collection, Kim Spence. This is a production of the Youth Apprentice Program at the Speed Art Museum.

Speed members were treated to a special viewing of Samurai at the Frazier History Museum. Photos by Jenna Maddux.

The Speed Art Museum and the Louisville Film Society partnered to present the 4th Annual Flyover Film Festival from June 7-10. The opening event, Filmmaker’s Follies, featured a short film showcase with new films by local and national filmmakers including One Big Holiday, a documentary about the 2010 My Morning Jacket performance at the KFC YUM! Center . Photos by Frankie Steele.