Learning at the Museum

Students engage in object-based inquiry with the UW Art Museum’s curator of academic engagement.

Research is critical to the work of the University of Wyoming Art Museum — from exhibition development to marketing and education. The museum’s curator of academic engagement, Alex Ziegler, plays a key role in facilitating research and exploration with the campus community. Each fall and spring semester, Ziegler curates the Teaching Gallery, collaborating with faculty across various disciplines to select objects that align with specific course curricula. She also coordinates class visits for UW courses, allowing students to view exhibitions, to engage with works from the collection and to participate in art-making experiences in the studio.

Ziegler’s favorite aspect of her role at the museum is the teaching component. She employs object-based learning strategies and inquiry-based pedagogies to inspire creativity and critical thinking, connecting students across disciplines to the artwork in front of them. Her background in art history — specifically early modern painting — has come in handy working with students in the fall 2024 Teaching Gallery. One standout example is in working with the ceramic and mixed-media sculpture “Señora de Jardin” by artist Suzanne Klotz. The sculpture is mystifying at first glance — a broad and somewhat geological formation cluttered with household items, faux flowers and seashells confronts the viewer with large eyes and bold red lips. By employing close-looking strategies including creating a visual inventory, social work students were able to collectively interpret this sculpture as an unusual representation of the Virgin Mary, a common figure in European art. Ziegler drew on her historical knowledge of art to understand that the work’s title translates to “Lady of the Garden,” a metaphor for purity. The students noticed that the sculpture’s hands are clasped together in prayer, providing additional insight into its meaning. Ziegler notes that working with students in the galleries often shifts her perspective on the exhibitions, as inevitably they notice different details and engage in discussions about the politics of display in addition to the content of the artworks.

Looking ahead, Ziegler is excited to expand the academic engagement program by continuing to build relationships with faculty across campus. These relationships can transform a single museum class visit into a long-term partnership. She aims to integrate the museum and its resources into curricula in ways that will allow for deeper engagement with artworks. Ziegler acknowledges the value of class time and the trust placed in her to make it worthwhile, and she is committed to enhancing the museum’s reputation as a dynamic teaching resource. By employing art education methodologies and pedagogies applicable across disciplines, she hopes to enrich the learning experience for students and faculty alike.