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In the Spring of 2021, Beth C. McLaughlin, Artistic Director and Chief Curator of the Fuller Craft Museum, responded to an invitation from Beau McCall for a virtual studio visit.
In the foreword to the museum’s “Beau McCall: Buttons On!” exhibition catalog, McLaughlin writes that McCall’s story was a great one and as a result, she decided that “a retrospective of this remarkable artist” should happen. She describes her fascination with McCall’s button-centric world of creation, her easy interactions with his partner and curator Peter “Souleo” Wright and the three years of joy and teamwork since their first meeting that made this exhibit happen.
When you go, let the exhibit take over your senses, enjoy the greatest collection of buttons that you could ever imagine and how they are placed on fashion and object art. Don’t overlook the “Buttons On! Catalog,” which is rich with essays by 11 art and museum notables. It is a treasure of thoughtful writing about McCall and his art. In his honor, the page numbers sit on tiny buttons. I highly recommend you acquire and read it.
An exhibit handout provides the history of the button, origin 2800-2600 BC. Wall labels will guide you through the phases of his works. These are:
“Buttons ON”
“The Body”
“The Soul”
“The Mind”
“Buttons OFF”
The gallery includes two video presentations, one where McCall describes the origin of his media and works, and the other about the friends in his life who mattered deeply to him and have passed. He speaks quietly, thoughtfully, like a man selecting words the way he selects and stitches his buttons with threads that add drama through color, metallic shine or threads that glow in the dark.