Ernest Thompson Seton Birthday #155

Aug 14
Annual Ernest Thompson Seton Birthday Celebration
 Seton Birthday Reception & Gallery Opening
and Lecture with Julie A. Seton, Ph.D.
Huge Persona in a Tiny Package: Julia M. Seton, My Grandmother


Date: Friday, August 14
Times / Program:
6:00 – 8:30 pm: Opening Reception
7:00 pm: Lecture by Julie A. Seton
Cost: FREE to the public

Please join us for our annual celebration of Ernest Thompson Seton’s birthday with a lecture by Julie A. Seton, the late artist-naturalist’s granddaughter.


The lecture, Huge Persona in a Tiny Package: Julia M. Seton, My Grandmother, offers insight into a different perspective of the Seton legacy, that of E. T. Seton’s second wife. Julie A. Seton says, “I remember my grandmother as the largest personality in the smallest body I’ve ever encountered. I have been extracting her incredible journey as told through her personal diaries and other documents. My mother said, 'Chief ran her, and she ran the world.' I invite you to come and listen to her story
of partnership and leadership.”

In August of this year, Julie A. Seton is releasing a new edition of E. T. Seton’s autobiography, Trail of an Artist-Naturalist, 2nd Ed. Julie will also be signing copies, which will be available for purchase at the event at a special discounted price in honor of Seton’s 155th birthday.


The event also marks the continuation of the current exhibition, “Bird Portraits” featuring Seton’s finest avian illustrations. The images come from the Academy’s collection of Seton artwork plus a special loan of selected works from the Philmont Museum and Seton Memorial Library at Philmont Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.

This year’s annual celebration will honor Seton’s Legacy, his message and artwork, as well as the relationship and history that the land in Seton Village held for Seton and continues to hold for the Academy.

Ernest Thompson Seton Exhibit Update

Hunting down and eliminating dust

The ever-changing Seton Gallery is now showing additional ETS works in open storage display drawers. Museums generally have more stuff than can be shown on the walls. The rest goes into storage. The solution: store artwork where it can be seen by the public. Adjoining the Gallery is the Academy's Conference Room with two storage units with 54 drawers showing ETS drawings and paintings. Most but not all of the drawers show labeled artwork. The ones not currently used will show new work in the future. Here museum consultant Amy Flowers searches for errant flakes and dust motes. 

The Gallery is open the second and fourth Wednesday of each month and by appointment. Free admission.