Fueling the Creative-Feedback Loop
Posted on November 09, 2016
Increasingly, people are being inspired to champion the Woodson Art Museum by voluntarily taking the time to share their enthusiasm via social media — writing reviews on Trip Advisor; liking, sharing, and retweeting the Museum’s Facebook and Twitter posts; and creating videos and posting them on You Tube.
Re-engaging with Help from Artists and Scientists
Posted on November 02, 2016
Artist residencies enliven artwork on view for Woodson Art Museum visitors, area students, and program participants. Working with guest artists also prompts Museum staff to re-engage and reconsider an exhibition.
Embrace the Unexpected
Posted on October 26, 2016
My husband, Ernie, and I recently returned from a magical adventure in Peru. From our arrival in Lima to our departure a week later, everything we did – and ate! – exceeded expectations. I thought about the timeliness of our immersion in Peruvian ceramics as the Woodson Art Museum looks ahead to next summer’s focus on contemporary Japanese ceramists.
Enhancing the Collection
Posted on October 19, 2016
One of the most exciting aspects of my career at the Woodson Art Museum is working with the artists. Just recently, following the 2016 opening of Birds in Art, I contacted fifteen artists to purchase or accept gifts of their work for the permanent collection.
Those fifteen paintings, sculptures, and works on paper join 486 others that have been acquired from Birds in Art exhibitions over the past forty-one years. By any standards that is an amazing commitment to supporting artists and building a world-class collection for future generations.
Of Mice and Little Men
Posted on October 12, 2016
Hundreds of metrics and tools exist to measure job performance, satisfaction, and efficacy. I knew I’d successfully accomplished a significant portion of my job – on a particularly program-packed day – when 3-year-old Thomas educated older sibling Ila about the mouse in the glint of Hubie’s eye. Thomas and his mom had attended Art Time for Tots earlier in the day, and he delightedly shared the morning’s gallery stories with his older sister as she gathered for Art Kids in the evening.
With Thanks!
Posted on October 05, 2016
There are moments in life that catch you off guard in unexpected ways. During the opening weekend of Birds in Art, I experienced such a moment.
Saving Dishes
Posted on September 28, 2016
While Woodson staff members are comfortable and happy working with all artists in residence, we might just be a little more relaxed around another museum professional . . .
Post-it® Note Promises
Posted on September 21, 2016
Whenever I participate in some sort of large, group gathering for work, I always leave with “Post-it® Note promises,” whether literal or in the form of a mental note. These notes consist of follow-ups and reminders for myself stemming from conversations with members of the group.
As is true for many people, meetings with staff or community members always yield mental notes, which are usually fairly easy to address and check off the list. Multi-day events, though, like the opening of Birds in Art is another story.
Seek and Find Inspirational Spark
Posted on September 14, 2016
Make up your own seek-and-find game to play when you visit the Museum to experience Birds in Art with friends and family this fall. Which artworks incorporate the mere suggestion of a bird, perhaps with only a feather, a shadow, or traces left on a sandy shore?
Stress Baking
Posted on September 07, 2016
Finding ways to cope in stressful situations varies from person to person. Some take the healthy route – hours in the gym or a miles-long run. Several friends advocate for yoga. Occasionally, a glass of wine or a cocktail can soothe shattered nerves. For years, I’ve opted for this: when tension puts calm thinking at risk, I take refuge in my kitchen. I take a deep breath, choose one of hundreds of recipes I’ve saved, and mix flour, sugar, eggs, and other ingredients into baked goods – mostly cookies.
