Spring Exhibitions Opening Reception at UW Art Museum Feb. 12

A free reception to celebrate new exhibitions will be held at the University of Wyoming Art Museum Friday, Feb. 12, from 6-8 p.m.

On display are:

“Emancipating the Past: Kara Walker’s Tales of Slavery and Power” will be on view through May 14. It explores Walker’s transformation of historical materials through a range of different media, including works on paper, video, wall painting and sculpture. Walker is a contemporary African-American artist known for engaging with issues of race, gender, sexuality, media and power. The exhibition highlights Walker’s artistic process, with the aim to make her challenging approach accessible to diverse audiences.

“The Harper’s Weekly Illustrations: Winslow Homer’s Americana” will be on view through April 23. It presents Homer’s illustrations for Harper’s Weekly, a monthly magazine that highlighted literature, politics, culture, finance and the arts. The illustrations, drawn from the UW Art Museum’s collection, span Homer’s early career and provide an unparalleled glimpse into the 19th century American experience.

The Pat Guthrie Special Exhibitions Teaching Gallery is on view through June 4. Included are projects from courses “Philosophy 4000/5000 -- The Sublime”; “Honors Program 3153 -- Art and Environment”; “Honors Program 2151 -- The Empire Strikes Back: Postcolonial Studies with a Focus on Africa”; and “Elementary Education 3170 -- Art in the Elementary School.” The teaching gallery model integrates original art into coursework curriculum and presents exhibitions available to students and the public throughout the semester.

Also coming to the Art Museum is the 41st annual Juried UW Student Exhibition. The show is open to any student enrolled at UW during the current academic year. The exhibition will be on display through March 19.

The juror for this year’s exhibition is Dan Mills, Bates College Museum of Art director. A number of purchase and cash awards will be announced during a reception Friday, Feb. 12, at 6:30 p.m.

Through its “Museum as Classroom” approach, the UW Art Museum places art at the center of learning for all ages. The museum is located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Drive in Laramie. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday hours are extended to 7 p.m. February through April and September through November. Admission is free. 

For more information, call the Art Museum at (307) 766-6622, visit the website at www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum, or follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram @uwartmuseum.