Issues about women’s work and gender roles have recently been at the forefront of Utah’s news media, and an upcoming contemporary art exhibition at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art will weigh in on the topic.
“Work To Do: Trent Alvey, Pam Bowman, Jann Haworth, Amy Jorgensen” will open to the public Friday, May 17, at 7 p.m. with a special opening celebration and will feature the artworks of the four female artists living and creating in Utah.
During the opening, refreshments will be offered, as well as live dance performances by Provo Sites dancers Angela Banchero-Kelleher, Ashley Anderson, Joni Tuttle and Shayla Bott. They will present the work of several female choreographers working in Salt Lake City, many of which will respond to the methods or inspirations of visual artists included in “Work To Do.”
The public is welcome to attend the opening and visit the exhibit, which will run through Sept. 28. All events are free.
The exhibition will investigate questions surrounding women’s work, the complex roles in which women engage on a daily basis and the unique ways each artist navigates the gender politics of the Beehive State.
“We hope this exhibition highlights the thought-provoking works of these artists while sparking dialogue that will challenge and broaden the views of museum visitors and the community at large,” said Curator of Contemporary Art Jeff Lambson.
Generous funding for the exhibition has been provided by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation with additional funding from the Utah Office of Museum Services.
SUMMER WORKSHOP SERIES —
The museum will present a summer workshop series for teen girls and their female mentors in conjunction with “Work To Do.” Each three-hour workshop will be led by one of the artists participating in the exhibition and will be held from 1 p.m. to 4pm. May 31 (with Jann Haworth), June 28 (with Amy Jorgensen), July 19 (with Trent Alvey) and Aug. 16 (with Pam Bowman).
During each workshop, the artist will address the relevance of her work within the context of current feminist themes and lead participants on a tour of the exhibition followed by an art making activity related to the themes discussed that day. Each workshop is free, but pre-registration is required and space is limited. More information about registration will be available at moa.byu.edu.
ARTIST PANEL DISCUSSION —
The four artists featured in “Work To Do” will also participate in a panel discussion addressing exhibition themes during September 2013. Lambson will introduce the panelists and museum educator Krisanne Hastings will mediate. The event will be free and open to the public, and will be held in the MOA Auditorium. More information about the panel discussion will become available on the museum’s website, moa.byu.edu, in the coming months.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS —
Information about each of the artists featured in “Work To Do” can be found at their individual websites:
captaincaptain.org/Trent-Alvey
www.pambowman.com
www.jannhaworth.com
amyjorgensen.org
ABOUT THE MUSEUM —
One of the largest and best-attended art museums in the Mountain West, the BYU Museum of Art offers a dynamic exhibition schedule that includes displays of its permanent collection, world-class traveling shows and thought-provoking exhibitions organized by museum curators.
One of the museum’s most important roles is its contribution to the academic mission of BYU. From the research and study of the artworks in the permanent collection, to the teaching and learning that occurs in classrooms and galleries, the museum plays an important role in the academic pursuits of many students at BYU. Concurrently, the museum seeks to connect to broad community audiences through its exhibitions and educational programming.
For more information, visit moa.byu.edu or contact Hilarie Ashton, MOA Marketing and Public Relations Manager, 801-422-2569, 801-656-7385, hilarie_ashton@byu.edu.
