While the Woodson Art Museum does its part to “flatten the curve,” helping to slow the spread of Covid-19 by closing to the public for the foreseeable future, we’re continuing to provide access to artwork and information. The Museum can still fulfill its mission to “enhance lives through art” even though the doors are closed – both now and after we re-open to the public. Wanna know how?
Extensive online content. For years, Woodson Art Museum staff have uploaded a massive amount of material to our website, YouTube channel, social media channels, and the Woodson app. It’s incredible what’s out there for you to enjoy. Audio tour videos, Activity Guides, and a digital archive of works from our permanent collection are just three things that can be accessed for free by anyone with a device and an internet connection.
I particularly enjoy the Museum’s YouTube channel, which not only has Woodson app videos specific to the current exhibition, L’Affichomania: The Passion for French Posters, but also videos from exhibitions and programs from the last six – yes, count them – six years. For many of us at the Woodson (myself included), we are thinking years in advance, already planning for 2021 and 2022. Scrolling, clicking through, and exploring this content is one way to review all the great memories and things we accomplished in the past. Looking back at the time-lapse installation video of Jennifer Angus’ exotic bugs arrayed in Victorian wall patterns during Nature Composed: The Insect Artistry of Jennifer Angus, or the performances on our makeshift stage during Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar or interviews with countless Birds in Art artists during opening weekends, reminds me of great times spent with coworkers and friends.
Retired curator of exhibitions Andy McGivern and artist Jennifer Angus install “Nature Composed.”
Although I’m biased, having institutional memories of much of the content, I think everything publicly available provides a good snapshot of what the Museum delivers to our visitors and members, both near and far. Especially now while the Woodson Art Museum remains closed to the public, take my word for it and explore our online offerings and encourage friends and family to do so, too. Those re-runs of “Night Court” can wait (but don’t let them wait too long).
