In Spring 2023, a new “Curating an Exhibition” course researched, developed, and installed a contemporary art exhibition in George Mason University’s Gillespie Gallery. The exhibition entitled Reclaim, Rebirth, Reconsider: Narratives of Transformation featured three artists: Sandy Williams IV, Page Carter, and Steven Luu. These artists’ impressive work provided students with rich opportunities to engage critical discourses so important to the study of history, such as reconsidering social art and practice, monuments, and contemporary curating. Students banded together to interview the artists, research topics, condition-report artwork, design and install the exhibition, and write scholarly essays. They created a marketing campaign, led exhibition programs, and produced video interviews that are available on the Mason Exhibitions website https://www.masonexhibitions.org/exhibitions/reclaim-rebirth-reconsider. There, you can find installation images and topical wall texts on Art and Healing, Monuments, Reconsidering History, and The Trauma of War
and Violence.
Exhibition programming drew hundreds of viewers to hear the artists talk about their work and artistic process. On opening night, Sandy Williams IV introduced visitors to their multi-media art focused on civil war era sites and monuments, such as the candle they made in the shape of Mt. Rushmore. Weeks later, Page Carter detailed how her architectural practice informs her sculpted paintings that meld climate data onto tilting architectural shingles and shims. Rounding out the programming, sculptor Steven Luu presented his works made of colossal paper stacks and explained how he reconstitutes prescription inserts into blank papers as part of his healing from injuries sustained during miliary service.
Students built their knowledge of contemporary art practices in many ways. They met seven curators at different museums and galleries to not only learn but apply new curatorial skills. They exited the class armed with real-world experience that will position them for internships and jobs. Through this close proximity to professional practice, the students showed incredible interest and investment in the entire project, which made this course an immense success.
April 01, 2024