top of page
The Visionary Experience: From St. Francis to Finster

The Visionary Experience: From St. Francis to Finster

Oct. 4, 2014 – Aug. 30, 2015
Zanvyl A. Krieger Main Building

Image Gallery

About the Exhibition

"In celebration of what would have been Reverend Howard Finster’s 100th birthday, The American Visionary Art Museum sought to explore what lies at the heart of all truly visionary, revelatory, experience. This 20th Anniversary original exhibition championed life's grand 'Aha!' and 'Eureka!' moments held in common by Earth's most dynamic and intuitive 'e-volutionaries' - inventors, scientists, humanitarians, composers, mystics, and saints. We sought to get at how and why each visionary was touched by some lightning bolt of greater understanding, insight, grace, dream, or muse, and what elements were common to all true visionary experience. Co-Curator Jodi Willie contributed her benevolent insight into California’s cult-leaders like Uriel and cult-movements like The Source Family. For better navigation of our current challenging times, comes the wisdom from the late great visionary artist, Reverend Howard Finster: 'FAITH AND WORRY CAN’T LIVE IN THE SAME HEART - ONE HAS TO GO.'" - Founder, Director, and Chief Curator, Rebecca Hoffberger

our generous sponsors

DIAMOND
Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts

PLATINUM
Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

GOLD
Dr. & Mrs. Barton Cockey, Just Folk/Marcy Carsey & Susan Baerwald, The Philip & Harriet Klein Foundation, Inc., Max's Taphouse

SILVER
Aegon Transamerica Baltimore Foundation, The Corfu Foundation Charitable Fund, DLA Piper, The John J. Leidy Foundation, Inc., Thomas & Linda McCabe, Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Pakula, Brenda & Phil Rever, Arnold & Alison Richman, Sylvan/Laureate Foundation

BRONZE
Mary Catherine Bunting, Charlesmead Foundation, Ann & Harvey Clapp, Barbara & Louis Denrich, John Sondheim & Emily Greenberg, Maryellyn Lynott, Robert E. Meyerhoff & Rheda Becker, The Alvin & Louise Myerberg Family Foundation, Jim & Patty Rouse Charitable Foundation, Jan Weinberg.

Exhibition Supporters
Charles C. Baum Foundation, John & Berthe Ford, JoAnn & Jack Fruchtman, Lois & Philip Macht Family Philanthropic Fund, Joan Develin Coley & Lee Rice, William & Nancy Paternotte, Two Boots Pizza.

Public Support
AVAM would like to thank the following public institutions for their generous annual operating support – Maryland State Arts Council, Maryland State Department of Education, The Citizens of Baltimore County & the Baltimore County Commission on Arts & Sciences, The Howard County Government & the Howard County Arts Council.

Good Sports: The Wisdom & Fun of Fair Play
Oct. 12, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2025

Good Sports: The Wisdom & Fun of Fair Play

ABUNDANCE: Too Much, Too Little, Just Right
Oct. 8, 2022 - Sep. 3, 2023

ABUNDANCE: Too Much, Too Little, Just Right

If You Build It, They Will Come
Oct. 7, 2023 - Sep. 1, 2024

If You Build It, They Will Come

John Oliver's Last Week Tonight’s Gallery for Cultural Enrichment
Nov. 3, 2021 - Nov. 21, 2021

John Oliver's Last Week Tonight’s Gallery for Cultural Enrichment

The Secret Within: The Art of Judith Scott
Jul. 2, 2023 - Jun. 30, 2025

The Secret Within: The Art of Judith Scott

Healing and the Art of Compassion (and the Lack Thereof!)
Oct. 9, 2021 - Sep. 4, 2022

Healing and the Art of Compassion (and the Lack Thereof!)

bottom of page