Category Archives: Blog
Tribute to Maynard Reece
Posted on July 22, 2020
Thirty-one years ago, I had the pleasure of phoning Maynard Reece to tell him the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum wished to honor him as the 1989 Master Wildlife Artist in tandem with that fall’s Birds in Art exhibition.
I don’t recall Maynard’s exact words, but I’m certain they were humble, sincere, warm, and filled with gratitude. His response was in keeping with his gentle personality, which along with his considerable talents and penchant for wildfowl and wildlife subjects served him very well.
Art to Go
Posted on July 15, 2020
Taking inventory of available art materials proved to be a quarantine-friendly activity for me working solo in education storage, counting supplies, and developing project ideas for summer art kits. Museum collection artwork images, printed with information and prompts on “kids club cards” were the source of inspiration for the five art kits.
Inspiration from a Centenarian
Posted on July 01, 2020
Among the first visitors to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum during our soft re-opening was a member who took delight in telling me how she couldn’t wait to return to her favorite museum.
Impermanence
Posted on June 24, 2020
Viewing the summer exhibition, celebrating indigenous art of India, I hark back several decades to undergraduate religious studies courses. Though once well-versed in tenets, truths, sacred texts, and iconography, I now only retain oversimplifications of Western and Eastern philosophy and world religions. Dinner conversation with my young adult children is all the proof I need that nimble, nuanced, discourse will atrophy if not exercised. Their arguments are elegant and substantial; mine have morphed into easy-breezy recollections.
We Miss YOU!
Posted on June 17, 2020
It’s been a long – and quiet – twelve weeks. For everyone, including for the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum.
Although the Museum staff continued to work remotely since mid-March and more recently back in the office – appropriately socially distanced, of course – and despite the extensive, rich content available on our website and via social media, a big something has been missing.
Visitors.
When Cranes Call, You Answer
Posted on June 10, 2020
Alright, fine; I can’t communicate with cranes. When I say “cranes,” I mean people who work with cranes, which is close enough for me when it comes to blog titles.
The crane-loving colleagues of whom I speak are none other than dedicated staff members at the International Crane Foundation.
Art of the Hunt
Posted on June 03, 2020
It’s not a secret; I love working at the Woodson Art Museum. What’s not to love? Each day I’m with fabulous colleagues, in a beautiful facility, surrounded by stunning artworks. Working with the Museum’s collection of thousands of historic and contemporary paintings, works on paper, and sculpture throughout forty years, I’ve curated more than 100 exhibitions.
Where do I get the themes and how do I choose the artworks? That’s the challenge and joy. Rather than a recipe, it’s more like a jig-saw puzzle. The exhibition idea “picture” is there; getting the pieces in the right place is the goal.
A Tale of Two Bird Savers
Posted on May 27, 2020
Whether a planned project or a chance encounter, saving birds is always worthwhile.
Leadership
Posted on May 20, 2020
As far back as I can remember, I’ve been a fan of Ken Burns documentaries. It was surprising, and a little uplifting, that my own kids recently were interested in and enjoyed watching the majority of The Roosevelts. I can only hope my kids will become great leaders themselves one day. They already carry big sticks. They just need to work on speaking softly.
Gradual Re-Opening & Gratitude
Posted on July 08, 2020