To start today’s issue, I’d like to tell you about one of the skits you can see at this Saturday’s Free Family Day. It’s a twelve-minute puppet show by Mary Shelley Electric Co., a puppet collective I belong to.

Mary Shelley Electric Co. stages a performance, May 2023. Credit: Mary Shelley Electric Co.

To begin with, “Mary Shelley Electric Co.” was the “joke band” name we made up when we first got together to stage CREATURE, our adaptation of Frankenstein.

Our initial goal was simply to make the art we wanted to see, but then we applied for and won an esteemed Jim Henson Foundation award for that play. When we developed a new play called Time & Energy—about rabbits and thermodynamics!—we won a second Henson award. And we kept working. And somewhere along the way, the joke band became a bona fide puppet troupe, filled with dear friends and—for my eccentric preferences—some of my favorite artists.

One of the skits we’re staging at the Frazier this Saturday is about the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the universe tends toward entropy. Entropy means disorder. My interpretation of all that science is that our complex and organized human systems are always tipping towards chaos.

But here’s the thing about humans: I believe (to paraphrase the heroic Fred Rogers) that most of us are helpers. Nearly all the people I know personally are builders, connectors, makers, caretakers, and teachers. They use their time and energy to organize and reorganize the loose parts of the world in fun and meaningful ways. They create songs, stories, meals, paintings, houses, homes, exhibits, farms, gardens, and quilts. Yes, entropy is always waiting on the other side of their efforts. Yet still they strive.

This is what that skit is about—only, in the play, the noble efforts of humans are represented by our puppet hero, Marigold, who is trying to do the laundry. Enter entropy, in the shape of rabbits and bears.

Our friends at the Fund for the Arts are helping to make this Family Day free and open to all. It’s wonderful to work with a partner who also believes that everyone belongs in Louisville’s artistic and cultural community.

We hope you can join us. The full description for Saturday’s Free Family Day is here. And keep reading to learn more about some of the many special activities we have planned for the day. There will be Cool KY trivia, sneak peeks of a new exhibit, live music, art activities, and much more. Admission is free until 2 p.m.!

We promise lots of fun—and only a little entropy.

This Week in the Museum

Membership Opportunity: Don’t Miss Saturday’s Cool KY Trivia and Coffee with Casey!

Pop in, open house style, to learn about the meaning and perks of membership in a fun new way as we celebrate our 20th anniversary with $20 Individual memberships! Bring your friends and join me this Saturday as you are led through a series of trivia questions with the theme of: Artistic Kentucky. We will have four rounds of trivia on a rotation every fifteen minutes. Each round will have a winner and an overall winner of all rounds combined, but everyone will be a winner since our memberships start at only $20! All are welcome to test your knowledge about Cool KY Trivia!

Becoming a member will allow you to stay and enjoy your first member exclusive program of Coffee with Casey happening right after trivia concludes. Frazier senior director of engagement Casey Harden will present on our newest exhibit, 120: Cool KY Counties. This is your opportunity to experience each of Kentucky’s 120 counties in a unique and interactive way! You’ll learn about the impact within the museum and throughout the Commonwealth; why it is important for us and for you with added sneak peaks of future phases!

Cool KY Trivia (Membership Opportunity), 12–1:30 p.m.
Coffee with Casey, Cool KY Counties (Member Exclusive Program), 2–3:30 p.m.

Get ahead of the crowd and join today! Come into trivia with the knowledge you have already secured your membership! The benefits outweigh the cost of your membership in no time. Complimentary admission, discounted parking, discounts in our Museum Shop (exclusions apply), special tours, access to our collections team and artifacts, plus so much more!

Gather your friends, coworkers, and neighbors and have them join the Frazier Family because here at the Frazier, not only do members experience more, but we like to see who knows just how cool Kentucky really is!

Curator’s Corner: ERA Advocate Rep. Thelma Stovall of Hart County

Friday, March 8, is International Women’s Day! International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Here at the Frazier, we are proud to celebrate Kentucky women every day! Their stories can be found throughout our exhibitions, on the Frazier+ app, in Frazier Weekly, and, of course, in our upcoming exhibit 120: Cool KY Counties, which will share stories from all of Kentucky’s 120 counties. In honor of International Women’s Day, I am excited to share one of the stories that we found from Hart County about politician Thelma Stovall.

Thelma Stovall was born in Munfordville, Hart County, in 1919. She spent her teenage years working for a tobacco company and joined the Tobacco Workers International Union. In 1949, she was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. Throughout her career, she strongly supported the rights of labor unions. Stovall became the Kentucky Secretary of State in 1956 and was re-elected in 1964 and 1972. When the governor and lieutenant-governor were out of state, Stovall was the acting-governor. She took advantage of this in 1959 by pardoning three prisoners that she felt were being held unjustly. In 1975, Stovall was elected lieutenant-governor, becoming the first woman to hold this position in Kentucky. She fiercely promoted the Equal Rights Amendment. While serving as acting-governor again in 1978, she vetoed the legislature’s motion to rescind the ERA. The only political defeat of her career was her bid for governor in 1979.

The next time you are at the Frazier, I hope you spend a little extra time and give a little extra attention to the stories of all the amazing women from throughout Kentucky’s history. I know that their stories always give me a little extra inspiration!

Museum Shop: Rosie the Riveter Merchandise

Celebrate Kentucky’s heritage and Women’s History Month with Rosie the Riveter merchandise! Show your support for women's empowerment and the iconic symbol of strength at our Museum Shop today.

Frazier to Host Norton West Louisville Hospital Program April 9

Norton West Louisville Hospital program flyer. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

I read an article on the recently announced leadership team at Norton West Louisville Hospital and I loved the sentiment from Abra Sickles, the director of community partnerships. She said you can’t spell west Louisville without we.

Our community would be a lot healthier in all ways if “we” became the working model moving forward.

The November opening of Norton West Louisville Hospital is the ultimate bridging of the Ninth Street Divide with healthcare. It’s the first hospital to be built in West Louisville in more than 150 years. Let that sink in.

So, as part of our Bridging the Divide series at the Frazier, we are so pleased to announce a community conversation on April 9 in partnership with Norton Healthcare.

You’ll meet the leadership team from Norton West Louisville Hospital and learn about dozens of job opportunities there during an open house. Later that evening, we’ll have a program with Russell F. Cox, president and CEO of Norton Healthcare, and Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer of Norton West Louisville Hospital. We’ll talk about that historic opening and access to quality healthcare.

The forum is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged so click here to sign up.

I sure hope you come and learn about this milestone for Louisville. It’s what “we” all need to see and hear. You can’t spell west Louisville without “we.”

Slugger Museum to Join Us for Chandler & Robinson: Breaking Baseball’s Color Barrier

Chandler & Robinson: Breaking Baseball’s Color Barrier flyer. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

We have a couple more additions to our program Chandler & Robinson: Breaking Baseball’s Color Barrier on March 26.

Slugger Museum will now join us, bringing a treasure trove of things—including a copy of Jackie Robinson’s original contract with Hillerich and Bradsby, a replica of the R17 model Louisville Slugger he created with them, and photos from their archives.

Folks from Slugger Museum will have these items on display before and after our program, which begins at 6 p.m.

Ben Chandler will join us to talk about his grandfather Happy Chandler who was Baseball Commissioner in 1947, giving the crucial greenlight to Robinson’s contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey came to Chandler’s cabin in Versailles to have him sign the official paperwork.

Lexington author Dorian Hairston will read from his new book, Pretend the Ball is Named Jim Crow: The Story of Josh Gibson. Louisville Bats President Greg Galiette will talk about the opening of baseball season later that week, but also highlight their efforts to tell diverse stories of baseball.

Make sure you know the words to “Take Me Out To The Ball Game,” because you’ll be singing the song that evening.

Click here to buy tickets for the program.

Also, learn more about Jackie Robinson’s story courtesy of our teaching artist, Brian West.

Before Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, he played for the Montreal Royals, a farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Rachel Platt
VP of Mission

Tickets Now on Sale for Frazier’s April 12 Gala!

Night at the Museum: Celebrating 20 Years of the Frazier presented by Fifth Third Bank graphic. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

Get ready to party with us!

Tickets are officially on sale for our inaugural gala, Night at the Museum: Celebrating 20 Years of the Frazier, presented by Fifth Third Bank.

Join us on April 12 for an evening filled with music, dancing, and fun as we celebrate this significant milestone in the museum's history!

Get Tickets!

20th Anniversary Photo: Joan of Arc Interpretation, 2009

In honor of Women’s History Month, we look back at teaching artist Kelly Moore’s interpretation as Joan of Arc. Born around 1412, Jeanne d’Arc was a military leader known for defending France during the Siege of Orléans under what she claimed was divine guidance. In 1431, she was captured, handed to the English, accused of heresy, and burned at the stake. She has since become celebrated as a symbol of freedom and independence.

Bridging the Divide

Reenactment of 1964 March on Frankfort Tomorrow Morning

What a night it was to have so many civil rights icons together in one program to talk about the March on Frankfort in 1964. It was oral history at its best, and I know those in the audience with me at the Frazier felt it was a gift to hear about their sacrifices and learn from their wisdom. The program was in partnership with the Courier Journal and the Louisville Metro Government Office of Equity. It ended with the linking of arms and singing “We Shall Overcome,” and it was powerful to sing with those who have fought for social justice their entire lives. Thank you. And as we give our thanks and look to do what we can for a more just society, consider lending your voice to the reenactment of the 1964 Freedom March on Frankfort that was attended by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The reenactment will happen tomorrow, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. You’re asked to gather at the Capital City Museum in Downtown Frankfort with the march beginning at 10:45 a.m. Speakers will address the crowd on the steps of the Capitol, including Governor Andy Beshear. Take the time to watch our program at the Frazier—it’s oral history we should all know and hear.

Rachel Platt
VP of Mission

Bullitt County Artist Angelique Shah on Mojo Quilts and More

I was so excited to meet Angelique Shah at our quilting program in January. Now you can meet her in person and learn about her Mojo Quilts at the South Central Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library. She will be the Collider Artist-in-Residence during the month of March with several engagements. Keep reading to learn more about Angelique and how she got her Mojo back!—Rachel Platt, VP of Mission

Hello, my name is Angelique Shah. A New Yorker from the Bronx, I went to the High School of Fashion Industries in Manhattan. This foundation is what led to my passion for creating beautiful clothing, home décor, and accessories.

I discovered quilting in 2017. Quilting opened up a world of possibilities and reignited my passion for creating. Learning this new skill allowed me to combine my fashion and quilting together. In quilting, I discovered my style which was more modern and art-based; also, wearable quilting arts really made me excited.

I am inspired by many things I see, including art in museums, nature, and fashion magazines. But my biggest source of inspiration has been my fascination with the Mexican artist Frida Khalo. I’ve made several quilts inspired by her, including the quilted cape that will be displayed at the Collider Artist-in-Residence workshop in March. I will lead a How I Got My Mojo Back! lecture and workshop, Friday, March 22, 3–4:30 p.m., at the South Central Regional Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library. Spots are limited, but you can email Liz Magee at liz.magee@lfpl.org to reserve one!

I’ve made original costumes inspired by her Dos Fridas (“Two Fridas”) painting and enacted the painting live in Chicago with my daughter at a showing of Kahlo’s life, clothing, and art. I have several quilted jean jackets I’ve done in homage to her. People know I am inspired by Khalo so I’m constantly getting puzzles, books, and art devoted to her; many are in my studio for others to share and learn about.

I currently I live in Shepherdsville, Bullitt County, Kentucky. My studio is called Mojo Quilts and More. I sell fabric, complete quilt tops on a 10’ long-arm machine, and offer classes to the public. I’ve been married for twenty-two years to Tomal Shah. I have a dog named Elvis Presley and a cat named Lucy. I also have three children and seven grandchildren spread across the US.

I’m very interested in continuing to develop my art and look forward to new discoveries in fiber art. If you have any questions or you’d like to connect, feel free to email me at mojoquilts2017@gmail.com.

Entropy Puppet Show, Free Family Day Saturday, Norton West Louisville Hospital Program, and More

120 Exhibit Open House Friday, 120 Design and Build, 120 County Objects, and More

Gala Tickets on Sale, Exploring Kentucky: Boyle–Carlisle, Rare 1876 Meatshower Specimen Discovered, and More