McCartney exhibit opens with 400 in attendance

by NICOLE L. JIVIDEN
reporter

The Huntington Museum of Art opened the exhibit, "Linda McCartney's Sixties: Portrait of an Era," Saturday.

More than 400 people attended the exhibit's opening Satur-day, and more than 350 people attended the private reception Friday night.

The exhibit features 49 photos, including those taken of artists such as the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, Janis Joplin, The Who, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and B.B. King.

"It gives people who grew up in the '60s and their children a chance to come together and see the artists," said John E. Gillispie, public relations coordinator for the Huntington Museum of Art. "Most of the artists are just as popular now as they were back then."

The Huntington Museum of Art is one of the 14 museums in the United States that will feature the exhibit, Gillispie said. The museum decided to bid on the exhibit because of the public's interest in it, he said.

The exhibit comes from the estate of Linda McCartney and the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Conn. In addition to the exhibit, the museum included a reception and performances by two bands.

"Linda McCartney's Sixties: Portrait of an Era" will be shown at the museum until April 23.

The Huntington Museum of Art is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week. The museum will be open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. while the exhibit is shown, Carolyn Neal, receptionist, said. In addition to the photos, there are films as well. The documentary "Linda McCartney: Behind the Lens" and Paul McCartney's "Grateful Dead-a Photofim," which shows Linda McCartney's photos of the Grateful Dead during the '60s, will be shown.

"Linda McCartney: Behind the Lens" will air on West Virginia public television at 9 p.m. March 25, Gillispie said.