UW Art Museum to Host Spring Opening Reception Feb. 24

The University of Wyoming Art Museum will celebrate the opening of its spring exhibitions with a free public reception Saturday, Feb. 24, from 5-8 p.m.

The reception will include light appetizers, and a cash bar will be available.

The exhibitions opening Feb. 24 are “Harold Garde at 100: The Unseen Works in Two Acts” and the 49th annual Juried UW Student Exhibition.

“Harold Garde at 100” will feature 100 never-before-exhibited works by painter and UW alumnus Garde. Fifty works will be on display beginning Feb. 24, and another 50 works will open Saturday, June 1.

Garde was a distinguished American artist known for his innovative “strappo” technique and his influential contributions to the world of contemporary art. With a career spanning over seven decades, Garde’s work has been exhibited globally and has earned numerous awards and accolades.

Garde died in October 2022 at the age of 99. Last spring, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from UW.

A highlight of the UW Art Museum’s exhibition program, the 49th annual Juried UW Student Exhibition will present the artwork from selected UW students. This year’s exhibition is organized around the theme of identity. An awards ceremony will take place at 6 p.m.

Additionally, the UW Art Museum will celebrate last fall’s reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded by the nation’s museums. This prestigious distinction means the museum continues to meet national standards and best practices for U.S. museums and remains a member of a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable for excellence. Through a rigorous process of self-assessment and review by its peers, the UW Art Museum has shown itself to be a good steward of its resources held in the public trust and committed to a philosophy of continual institutional growth.

For more information about the spring opening reception, call Will Bowling, education and public programs coordinator at the UW Art Museum, at (307) 766-3496 or email wbowling@uwyo.edu.

The UW Art Museum exhibits, preserves and interprets visual culture from around the world to engage academic, local, state, national and global communities. The museum is located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 E. Willett Drive in Laramie. Hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday hours are extended to 7 p.m. Admission is free.