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Mid-Atlantic New Painting Exhibition

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Art Museum Artists: Works by Museum Professionals

Curatorial Statement

This exhibition explores the notion that museums, in addition to housing the creative work of world renowned artists, also harbor professional staff members who are highly trained, practicing artists themselves. During my years in museum and gallery work I have often had the pleasure of working with talented colleagues who are masters not only of their museum disciplines, but also of the artistic medium in which they have been trained and by which they continue to produce exceptional work. It seemed a fascinating prospect, therefore, to explore the dual careers of some dedicated colleagues and to share their accomplishments with a broad audience.

Museum work is very rigorous in its requirements for accuracy, creativity, and ethical standards. Deadlines are abundant and long hours are not uncommon. While the often hectic pace of the museum environment induces some to abandon their own artistic work, others persevere in their calling to make art. Achieving balance between the challenging demands of museum and artistic careers is difficult and requires an enormous amount of self discipline and energy.

I admire those who are engaged in this artistic balancing act, and I am curious about the extent to which their two worlds affect one another. Why are artists drawn to museum careers in the first place? What type of positions do they hold in museums? As demonstrated by the artists participating in this exhibition, the range is broad and diverse. Does working in a museum inform or influence an artist’s work and challenge him or her to explore new ideas or techniques? For the answer to that question we have let the artists speak for themselves. This brochure contains an artistic statement from each of them, addressing that very topic. Each has his or her own story to tell and each has responded uniquely to a personal set of stimuli.

We hope our visitors find this exhibition to be an informative window into the world of the museum profession and the many creative people engaged there.

Anne Timpano
Director, UMW Galleries

Artists featured in this exhibition hold positions at the Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts