One large spinning clothes dryer is handy. Nine large spinning clothes dryers are art–at least at the Chesterwood Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts! We’ve been proud to carry these American-made spinning clothes dryers here at Lehman’s. It was quite a surprise to find out that this very popular product is the center of a modern art exhibit at the Chesterwood Historic House Museum, and that after the exhibit closes, the dryers will be donated to families in need. Read on! A big thank you to our friends out in Iowa who make the dryers for sharing this exciting news and artist Michael Yefko for sharing his photos of the exhibit. –EditorÂ
Artist Michael Yefko from Exeter, RI has been chosen as one of several artists whose work will be featured at the Contemporary Sculpture at Chesterwood 2012. Yefko’s art features nine large spinning clothes dryers donated by the dryers’ manufacturer. The clotheslines will be arranged in a distinctive artistic form by Michael meant to provoke thought about our suburban environments and the value of a return to traditional practices. Michael’s exhibit is a site-specific installation titled Laundry Grove. Michael’s use of clotheslines coincides well with his past work. Some of his recent installations are named House and Home, Sod and Shed. Michael says that his work critiques and ponders our relationships to nature and peopled places.
The exhibit is located at the Chesterwood Museum grounds at 4 Williamsville Road, Stockbridge, MA 01262, telephone: 413.298.3579.  Chesterwood, is a National Trust Historic Site, and is the country home, studio and gardens of America’s foremost sculptor of public monuments, Daniel Chester French. An American sculptor, French’s best-known work is the sculpture of a seated Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Chesterwood Museum hours are, open daily, 11 am – 4 pm, from May 26 to October 8, 2012.  The grounds, where Michael’s art is displayed, are open daily, 10 am to 5 pm. Admission prices are: adults $16, NTHP members-$8, children ages 13-17-$8, Friends of Chesterwood members free, children 12 and under free. The display will run throughout the summer of 2012.
At the close of the summer exhibition the dryers will be donated to a local housing authority and a charitable support group in that area so that the clotheslines can be given to those in need.
