The University of Mary Washington Galleries will host Margaret Sutton: Life + Work, a student-curated exhibition of the work of alumna Margaret Sutton ’26 in the Ridderhof Martin Gallery from April 19 through June 29. The opening reception will take place Wednesday, April 19 from 5-7 p.m.
An unrecognized artist during her lifetime, Sutton’s work was donated to the university following her death in 1990 and currently makes up almost half of the institution’s permanent collection of nearly 6,000 pieces. Featuring cathedral drawings, musical interpretations and brightly-colored textile designs, the display of 30 student-selected works will be the second-ever showing of her work at Mary Washington. The exhibit and opening reception are both free and open to the public.
A collaboration between the UMW Galleries and Department of Art and Art History, the exhibit was curated by students in the Laboratory in Museum Studies course who assisted with the planning, research and design of the 30-piece display. Part of the museum studies minor, the Laboratory in Museum Studies course takes a hands-on approach to the theoretical studies of exhibit curation, preparation, installation design and marketing.
“You learn a lot by teaching and doing,” said Marjorie Och, professor of Art and Art History who teaches the course. “By taking on the role of creating the exhibit, students have the chance to demonstrate what they learned and take ownership of their education.”
UMW Galleries also is currently hosting the Annual Student Art Exhibition, a guest-curated exhibit of student work on view in duPont Gallery through Sunday, April 30. Featuring 28 pieces, the exhibit was juried by interdisciplinary artist Hasan Elahi, whose work examines issues of surveillance, citizenship, migration and transport.
Both galleries are located on College Avenue on the Fredericksburg campus and are open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The galleries are closed during University holidays and breaks. Free parking for gallery visitors is designated in the lot on College Avenue on Thornton Street.
For directions and more information, call 540-654-1013 or visit http://www.umwgalleries.org.
