Recent Work by the University of Utah Art Faculty (SLC: Feb 17 - May 6)

PRESS RELEASE 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

- Shelbey Lang, UMFA Public Relations Associate, 801.585.1306, shelbey.lang@umfa.utah.edu

- Deb Banerjee, Guest Curator, Deborah.banerjee@usu.edu

The Faculty Show

Recent Work by the University of Utah Art Faculty

February 17-May 6, 2012

Gallery talks will provide insight into featured artists’ work 

Salt Lake City, UT- The Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) serves as a primary visual arts resource on the University of Utah campus and in the broader community. As part of the UMFA’s ongoing collaboration with campus entities, the museum is pleased to present The Faculty Show, an exhibition of work by the acclaimed art faculty of the University of Utah Department of Art and Art History.

On view in the UMFA’s Great Hall and first-floor galleries from February 17 to May 6, 2012, The Faculty Show will boast over 70 new works from 28 tenured, tenure-track and adjunct faculty artists. The exhibition reflects current trends in contemporary art as well as traditional practices in a variety of media including ceramics, printmaking, painting, photography, sculpture, digital imaging, video and new media. The Faculty Show was organized by guest curator Deb Banerjee, who currently serves as curator of exhibitions and programs at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum at Utah State University.

“The works on display in The Faculty Show allow us to step back and survey the leading edge of contemporary art practices,” says Banerjee. “In keeping with the art of today, the exhibition allows for a diversity of media and thought.”

“We are so pleased to present the work of this outstanding group of artists,” explains Jenny Woods, UMFA campus outreach coordinator. “As educators, these faculty members mentor and cultivate new generations of artists. As working artists, they enrich our lives with engaging, high caliber work. It’s a treat for the UMFA to celebrate both of the vital roles they play.” 

Featured artists, listed in alphabetical order, include: Zuzanna Audette, Edward Bateman, Sandy Bruvnard, Larel Caryn, Van Chu, Lewis J. Crawford, Al Denyer, John Erickson, Dan Evans, Thomas S. Hoffman, Holly K. Johnson, Lenka Konopasek, Kristina Lenzi, Beth Krensky, Jimmy Lucero, Joe Marotta, V. Kim Martinez, Ray Morales, Martin Novak, Maureen O’Hara Ure, John O’Connell, Sylvia Ramachandran Skeen, Brian Snapp, Carol Sogard, Jared Steffensen, Paul Stout, Emily Tipps and Maryann Webster.

The Faculty Show honors the rich legacy of visual arts at the University of Utah. The featured artists are successors to the many eminent teachers who have contributed to the development of the program since its founding in 1888, including notable artists such as Lee Green Richards, Alvin Gittins, LeConte Stewart and James Taylor Harwood. Today, faculty members in the University of Utah Department of Art and Art History are instrumental in fostering creative minds and contributing to Utah’s dynamic visual culture. 

A series of three informal gallery talks will take place throughout the run of The Faculty Show exhibition. Free with general museum admission, the programs will take place at 12:00 p.m. on February 24, 6:00 p.m. on March 21, and 3:00 p.m. on April 24. The gallery talks will provide museum visitors the opportunity to meet some of the featured artists and gain insight into their work. 

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As Utah's official state art museum, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) at the University of Utah is the primary cultural resource for global visual arts and culture in the region. The UMFA has long served as a bridge from the University of Utah campus to the broader community, working to engage visitors in making meaningful connections with the world of art. The Museum's permanent collection spans more than 5,000 years of human creativity and features over 18,000 works of art. An ambitious special exhibition program and a variety of educational events are scheduled year-round to foster dialogue and discovery. The UMFA is located in the Marcia and John Price Museum Building at 410 Campus Center Drive on the campus of the University of Utah. General admission is $7 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors, FREE for U of U students/staff/faculty and children under 6 years of age. For more information, call 801 581 7332, visit www.umfa.utah.edu, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.