“Judy Pfaff: Come What May,” an installation art exhibition, is on display at the
UW Art Museum through Saturday, May 4.
University of Wyoming Eminent Artist in Residence Judy Pfaff has been elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The academy, one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies, recently announced the election of Pfaff and 197 other new members who include some of the world’s most accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, artists and civic, corporate and philanthropic leaders.
Pfaff is an internationally renowned artist who is recognized as a pioneer in installation art. She has taught classes in UW’s Visual Arts Department this semester, and her solo exhibition, “Judy Pfaff: Come What May,” is on view at the UW Art Museum through Saturday, May 4.
"Judy's exhibition has been an inspiration to students from the preschool level to those at UW,” Art Museum Director Susan Moldenhauer says. “We're thrilled to be able to show her work at the Art Museum and to have her on campus this semester."
Pfaff has maintained her studio in the UW Visual Arts Building throughout the semester and served as a resource for students in the role of a practicing artist. Besides spending time with students in studios, she taught two courses that focused on creating installation sculpture.
“Judy quickly became part of the Art Department community,” says Mark Ritchie, a UW art professor who was instrumental in bringing Pfaff to Wyoming. “She had a major impact that will continue to invigorate the program.”
“It has been a privilege to work with someone so important in the contemporary art world,” says April Dockter, a graduate student from Rock Springs.
Pfaff is a professor and department chair at Bard College, New York. She has received numerous grants and fellowships, including the MacArthur Fellowship (2004), Guggenheim Fellowship (1983) and National Endowment for the Arts grants (1979, 1986). Her work has been exhibited in major galleries and museums in the United States and abroad.
“Election to the academy honors individual accomplishment and calls upon members to serve the public good,” says Leslie C. Berlowitz, American Academy of Arts and Sciences president. “We look forward to drawing on the knowledge and expertise of these distinguished men and women to advance solutions to the pressing policy challenges of the day.”
Pfaff also is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
“Imagine learning from the masters” is a guiding principle of the UW Art Museum’s programs. Located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Drive in Laramie, the museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.
