Scholarly Exhibition
"The Triumph of Marriage: Painted Cassoni of the Renaissance"
On view at the Gardner Museum: Oct 16, 2008 - Jan 18, 2009
Then traveling to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida: February 14 - May 17, 2009

This focused scholarly exhibition presented by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum offers a new perspective on marriage, social and gender roles, and patronage of domestic paintings in Renaissance Italy. The exhibition focuses on Italian Renaissance cassoni (large 'marriage chests') created and used publicly to celebrate the triumph of marriage and for display in the Renaissance home, and showcases the art of important, though lesser-known Italian artists Francesco Pesellino, Giovanni di Ser Giovanni.

"The Triumph of Marriage" runs concurrently with additional exhibitions exploring the art of Marriage - including New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art's "Art and Love in Renaissance Italy" exhibition (on view Nov 18, 2008 through Feb 16, 2009).

Press Preview Event: Wednesday, October 15th, 5:30-6:30 pm RSVP to karmstrong@isgm.org or 617 278 5107

Evening Lecture
"Creativity During Wartime" Lecture:
Video Artist LIDA ABDUL & Writer/Journalist ANNE NIVAT
October 2, 2008 | 6:30 pm
Is it possible to describe the true state of material and moral ruin in which a country finds itself at the end of a war? Can readers and viewers be expected to take in the tales of irremediable gloom? Artists and writers help images of war cross the threshold of national and international consciousness. In this special evening lecture, returning Gardner Artists-in-Residence Anne Nivat and Lida Abdul talk about their experience working in Iraq and Afghanistan and show a film by Lida Abdul. $7 public; $5 museum members and seniors; Free students

Holiday Events
CELEBRATE the HOLIDAY SEASON at Boston's Gardner Museum
Start a new holiday tradition at the Venetian-inspired museum this season with evening holiday fetes and caroling around the courtyard, a dramatic holiday courtyard garden display, a holiday menu in The Gardner Café, a free day for families, and more.

"Mrs. Gardner's Holiday Celebrations" Dec 13 7pm; Dec 14 4:30pm
"Gardner After Hours: A Solstice Soiree" Dec 18 5:30-9:30pm
"Seasonal Garden: A Holiday Display" Nov 2008- Jan 2009
"A Holiday Menu" Dec 1-31, 2008

Evening Events
"GARDNER AFTER HOURS" Evening Events Return for Year Two
with Ten All-New Nights of Art, Music, Performances, Cocktails, Gallery Explorations, and More in a Unique Setting
Third Thursdays * 5:30-9:30 PM
Premiere Event: September 18th: "WANDERLUST"
"After Hours" year two kicks off with a celebration of Isabella Gardner's love of travel, featuring new Gallery Travels, contemporary artist Luisa Rabbia's video exhibition Travels with Isabella, a live acoustic performance by jazz sextet Dr. Magpie, an all-new time, signature cocktail, and graphic look by artist Danijel Zezelj, and more!
• After Hours Year Two Press Release • 2008/2009 Schedule & Themes

Concerts
MUSIC AT THE GARDNER: FALL 2008 Concerts
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum launches its 82nd concert season this Fall with a new season and an eclectic mix of classical, jazz, and contemporary performances spotlighting influential composers of today (including Philippe Hurel) plus exceptional performers of tomorrow playing Beethovel, Debussy, Mozart, Brahms and more!
• Press Release & Complete Schedule

Seasonal Preview
This Season at the Gardner: FALL 2008
Sept-Dec 2008: Exhibition & Programming Highlights
Take a close look at the upcoming Fall season at the Gardner - exploring the art of travel, the art of marriage, the art of entertaining and more with an array of exhibitions, lectures, concerts, events, and culinary offerings that will transport the visitor around the world- in addition to a world-class permanent collection.

EXPANSION & RESTORATION PROJECT UPDATES

Apr 10, 2008: Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) Approves Gardner Museum's Proposed New Building Project and Conceptual Design

Apr 1, 2008: Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) Board of Directors Approves Gardner Museum Restoration, Expansion Project and New Building Design by Renzo Piano

• Image Sheet: Gardner Museum Expansion and Restoration Project
• Image Sheet: Architect Drawings
• New Building Project FACT SHEET • Community Support / Quotes

Nov 29, 2004: Launching its Next Century, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Selects Renzo Piano for Planning and Design of an Addition on its Campus

Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Marks the 18th Anniversary of the March 1990 Theft of Thirteen Works of Art
Museum reissues its commitment to a $5 million reward, assures complete confidentiality for information leading to the return of the stolen artworks

• Stolen Artworks: Image Sheet

Evening Events
"GARDNER AFTER HOURS" Evening Events Bring Art, Music, Performances, Cocktails, Gallery Explorations, and More to Boston's Enchanting Gardner Museum
Third Thursdays * September through June *5:30-9:30 PM
"After Hours" is a new kind of night out featuring art, music, cocktails and more in one of Boston's most inspiring settings. Year two brings with it ten all-new nights of live music, thematic gallery explorations, signature cocktails and "Courtside Bites" at The Courtside Bar, and even an all-new time (5:30 to 9:30 pm) and graphic look by artist Danijel Zezelj.

• After Hours Year Two Press Release • 2008/2009 Schedule & Themes

Free Classical Music Podcast: "The Concert"
The Gardner Museum launches a new FREE classical music podcast at www.gardnermuseum.org. "The Concert" features unreleased live recordings from the museum's weekly concert series, making the Gardner the first art museum to encourage file sharing and free distribution of its online programming by using a Creative Commons license.

Click here to access "The Concert":
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/music/podcast/theconcert.asp

"Thinking Through Art" Research Reveals that Children Learn to Think Critically by Learning to Look at Art
Important new arts education research reveals a strong correlation between the museum's "School Partnership Program" and improved critical thinking skills in children.
• Full Press Kit • Executive Summary • Study Overview • Findings Overview • Collaborator Bios • "Critical Thinking Skills" Rubric
• Visit "Thinking Through Art" online for access to the full research report, a documentary film of kids 'learning to look' at art, sample lesson plans, and more.