SUMA Observations & Conversations

In this episode, we sit down with SUMA’s Graphic Designers, DJ Wilson and Emily Loertscher. Our discussion focuses on how our team plays a big role in creating work for SUMA that you see in our exhibitions, events, promotions, and more. You will hear about what our students are learning in the classroom at Southern Utah University, and how they apply it to the work they do at the museum. 

Our hope is that after listening to this episode, you’ll have a new appreciation for the work that our designers do everyday. Next time you come to the museum take time to notice the design work.

Making a museum accessible has become a popular topic of discussion throughout museums worldwide. In this episode, we share the varied accessibility efforts being made at SUMA. Our very own Alyssa Thomas, SUMA’s Coordinator of Visitor Experience, has done great work making our space more welcoming and inclusive for all visitors. Alyssa shares the importance of continuous advocacy for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which faced national legislative opposition in 2018, however, did not get enough votes to pass.

Join our host, Emily Ronquillo, and Alyssa, as they also discuss 'Breaking Barriers', a state-wide accessibility training in Utah (provided by the Utah Division of Arts and Museums), and why accessibility should be at the forefront of our efforts at SUMA.

We found the following articles to add additional context to our conversation. We’ve also included a link for information about the Utah Division of Arts and Museums training 'Breaking Barriers':

MuseumNext: Making Museums Accessible to Those With Disabilities

American Alliance of Museums: Museum Accessibility: An Art and a Science

NPR: The ADA was a victory for the disabled community, but we need more. My life shows why

Utah Division of Arts and Museums: Breaking Barriers

Learn more about the exhibition, L. Robert Gardner Architect: Cedar City Mid-Century Modern, by listening to this audio guide by curator, Dr. Becky Bloom.

L. Robert Gardner Architect: Cedar City Mid-Century Modern is on exhibition at Southern Utah Museum of Art through March 2, 2024.

Audio Guide –    

Introduction - 00:00.00 - 00:49.146

L. Robert Gardner, Architect -  00:50.056 -  02:53.506

A Modernist Campus -  02:56.115 - 05:19.970

Gardner’s Mid-century Modern Homes - 05.23.814 - 07:47.808

Thank You for Visiting -  07:48.000 

Follow along with SUMA’s Director of Curatorial Affairs, Dr. Becky Bloom, as she guides visitors through the exhibition BRUTAL DC, guest curated by Dr. Angela Person and photographer Ty Cole.

BRUTAL DC is on exhibition at Southern Utah Museum of Art through March 2, 2023.

Audio Guide –    

Welcome and Introduction - 00:00.00 - 00:55.127

What is Brutalism? -  0:55.799 -  03:25.007

Explore the Timeline -  03:26.284 - 03:39.681

BRUTAL DC, Past Present and Future - 03:41.374 - 06:58.149

Weaver Building  - 06:59.996 - 09:59.991

Lauinger Library - 10:00.994 - 12:37.481

Forrestal Building - 12:37.983 - 15:22.082

Euram Building - 15:23.819 - 18:21.706

FBI Headquarters  -  18:23.479 - 21:12.013

Hirshhorn Museum - 21:14.240 - 23:56.704

DC Metro - 23:59.227 - 26:48.625

Humphrey Building - 26:49.368 - 29:07.364

Thank You for Visiting - 29:08.429

Why would we want to discuss brutalism and mid-century modern architecture with an architect and two engineers? Because we believe in learning about approaching art and design from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. Brutalism seemed like a perfect fit for us to bring in experts and find where connections could be found and also how we see art differently. Our hope is that listeners will be inspired to step outside their comfort zones and start having discussions of their own with people with different perspectives and expertise. We all walked away from our discussion with broader understandings of brutalism, and hopefully, you will too.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Becky Bloom, Assistant Director of Curatorial Affairs at SUMA, Dr. Matthew Roberts SUU Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Computational Sciences, Mark Harris Structural Engineer and Senior Principal with Reaveley Engineers, and Chad Neilson CEO, Design Principal, MHTN Architects.

Southern Utah University Art History student Becca Hughes joins Dr. Becky Bloom and Emily Ronquillo to discuss her undergraduate internship in which she created an online exhibition of prints in SUMA’s collection. During her research, Becca was surprised to find some of the prints were frauds while others had authenticated provenance. Becca also discovered some artists who made it problematic for collectors to ensure they were purchasing authentic prints. Dr. Bloom agreed that printmaking is a medium that is easily forged, especially lithography.

This episode is perfect for those curious about the process of printmaking and collecting. Dr. Bloom and Becca provide some helpful tips for collectors to ensure the print they are purchasing is not a fraud. 

For more information about printmaking techniques and processes:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Britannica - Printmaking, Etching, Engraving, Relief 

View Becca’s exhibition The Printmaking Renaissance: 19th and 20th Century Prints by Prominent Artists on SUMAs CatalogIt HUB.

Southern Utah Museum of Art Director of Curatorial Affairs, Dr. Becky Bloom, sat down to talk with special guest artist, Aïsha Lehmann. Their conversation included talking about Aïsha's style of art, inspirations, sociological connections, the current educational path she has chosen, and finally advice to rising artists. Aïsha’s work, ‘Imprint’ is featured in the summer exhibition A Dream Deferred: New Perspectives on Black Experience. You can view her work by visiting SUMA through September 23, 2023.

Description

Learn more about the exhibition A Dream Deferred: New Perspectives on Black Experience in this audio guide read by curator Dr. Becky Bloom.

A Dream Deferred: New Perspectives on Black Experience in the Work of Aïsha Lehmann and Vital Shell is on exhibition at Southern Utah Museum of Art through September 23rd, 2023.

Introduction and Background Information - 00:00.00 - 02:52.160

Vitus Shell’s Ice Cream Man Series -  02:53.159 - 06:05.457

Aïsha Lehmann. Imprint Series, 2023 -  06:07.343 - 09:49.618

Imprint (Part I): Segregated - 09:51.326 - 11:59.179

Imprint (Part II): Outcomes - 12:00.628 - 14:49.901

Imprint (Part III): Home - 14:51.126 – 16:53.283

Understanding Privilege: A Community-generated Visualization - 16:54.950– 19:20.898

Credits -  19:22.370 - 19:52.685

Description

Learn more about the exhibition Lennart Anderson: A Retrospective in this audio guide read by guest curator Randall Cabe.

Lennart Anderson: A Retrospective is on exhibition at Southern Utah Museum of Art through September 23rd, 2023.

Audio Guide –    

Welcome and Background Information - 00:00.00 - 01:36.708

Introduction -  01:38.748 -  05:15.314

Still Life -  05:16.111 - 06:34.368

Portraits - 06:35.801 - 08:15.636

Street Scenes - 08:16.636 - 09:48.228

Idyllic Landscape - 09:49.766 - 11:03.097

Rome - 11:04.675 - 12:35.417

Credits -  12:37.149 - 13:26.828

Más información sobre la exposición,‘¿!¿Tomaste nuestra realidad y la convertiste en un juego¿!¿’ en esta audioguía ofrecida en español.

¿!¿Tomaste nuestra realidad y la convertiste en un juego¿!¿ están en exhibición en el Museo de Arte del Sur de Utah hasta el 23 de septiembre de 2023.