Paul Binnie
The founding collection of the Gerald and Joyce Lang Print Study Room is a selection of works by the artist Paul Binnie (b. 1967), donated by the Langs. The couple has always appreciated and admired art, initially collecting paintings by local artists to adorn the walls of their home. Through his practice of martial arts, Gerald became interested in Japanese art, specifically woodblock prints of samurai. Eventually, this blossoming interest led to their introduction to the woodblock prints of artist Paul Binnie (Scottish, b. 1967). Binnie studied traditional 18th-19th century woodblock printmaking in Tokyo under principal printer Doi Seki Kenji. Often brightly colored and meticulously detailed, woodblock prints gained initial prominence in Japan as an accessible and popular artform during the Edo Period (1603-1868).
Binnie’s woodblock prints demonstrate a deep dedication to the practice and art historical knowledge, while integrating contemporary tastes and imagery. The Langs were drawn to this work because of the composition, vibrant colors, delicacy, and subject matter. Since 2012, they have enjoyed acquiring these contemporary works alongside their collection of traditional Japanese prints. The Langs continue to live with some of their favorite Binnies, including The Four Seasons series and the newly minted Travels with the Master: El Capitan, but they selected the first four Binnies to join the UW Art Museum collection, including the early work Wait a Moment!. The museum has enthusiastically continued to grow this collection through the generosity of Gerald and Joyce Lang and will continue to do so for years to come.
"Visiting the Gerald and Joyce Lang Print Study Room was one of the highlights of my class! The artwork we viewed was hand-selected by a curator to develop key concepts in my class, and it expanded our conversations in ways that surprised and engaged my students. I loved that we were able to get up close and personal with the artwork and the closeness and privacy of the space made for a warm and engaging discussion."
-Cady Favazzo, Assistant Lecturer & Writing Center Workshop Coordinator, LeaRN Programs"Having a print study room at the UWAM is a great asset to students in the printmaking discipline and the Visual Arts department as a whole. The rich history of printmaking can come alive through intimate access to the museum's extensive collection of print media.
-Lars Roeder, Associate Professor, Printmaking, Department of Visual Arts
Experiential Learning
The Gerald and Joyce Lang Print Study Room offers exciting, transformative possibilities for the University of Wyoming curricula. The print study room is a classroom and exhibition space where educators can facilitate direct engagement with original artworks. Unlike gallery spaces where students observe from a distance and behind glass, the print study room allows for more detailed examination of artistic techniques and materials. Students can develop essential skills in evidence-based interpretation through close-looking, while the space also enables faculty to model how researchers approach primary sources with both analytical rigor and appropriate care.
The Gerald and Joyce Lang Print Study Room’s location allows educators to design fluid learning experiences that move between intensive focus and broader comparative study. The print study room complements the teaching gallery by offering a counterpoint between faculty-curated and student-led exhibition spaces, creating multiple avenues for experiential learning within the museum. Museum staff also use the room for specialized lessons on topics like curation, collections management, preparation, or art historical methodology. It is a rare privilege to do so in a state-of-the-art facility that enables safe, extended study. Here, University of Wyoming students may propose research questions, select objects for investigation, and share findings through curated exhibitions or presentations. This student-centered approach makes the space into a laboratory for developing research skills, critical thinking, and professional museum practices while contributing original scholarship to the university community.
The University of Wyoming Art Museum is deeply grateful to Gerald and Joyce Lang, whose generosity, vision, and support helped turn the dream of the Print Study Room into reality. This extraordinary gift gives the museum a unique space it previously lacked - one that enhances its service to both the public and academic communities. With this new resource, the curatorial team looks forward to expanding and deepening the woodblock print collection and broadening access to experiencing original works of art.
-Nicole M. Crawford, Museum Director
Generously funded by:
The Gerald and Joyce Lang Print Study Room Renovation Fund
Additional funding provided by:
UW Art Museum National Advisory Board Endowment
Robert M. and Judith Redd Kinght Endowment - Collection Conservation and Acquisition
Barbara J. and V. Frank Mendocino Endowment for Collection Conservation
Frederick and Pamela Rentschler Endowment for University Art Museum Collections
