Two New Exhibitions Coming in January to Art Museum

Stella Waitzkin's "Untitled (27 books)," a work in resin and found objects,is part of the University Art Museum's collection through a gift of The Waitzkin Memorial Library and Kohler Foundation.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 10, 2020) — The University Art Museum will open two new exhibitions in the Spring 2021 semester, the first new exhibition since programming was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Museum also continues to co-host a virtual artist conversation series, and has plans for a new Study Gallery on its second floor.

The two new exhibitions will open in January. The first floor will feature Torch ’72/2020, a commissioned project by artist Shane Aslan Selzer that explores the trajectory and lineage of intersectional justice efforts on the UAlbany campus. Featured on the second floor, i.de.al.is.tic, curated by Michael Mosby, will bring together the work of three rising artists who deal with the nuances of Black life: Anthony Akinbola, Sean Desiree and Marcus Leslie Singleton.

In addition, the Museum is working in collaboration with the Department of Art and Art History, to safely hold the 2021 Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition in the physical museum in May, in strict accordance with COVID-19 protocols.

Working behind the scenes, the Museum staff is transforming a former second floor office into a new Study Gallery. Connected to the Nancy Hyatt Liddle Gallery, this multi-purpose space will expand educational opportunities for students, faculty and the community.

In order to prepare for upcoming exhibitions and renovations, the Museum’s current exhibitions, Affinities and Outliers: Highlights from the University at Albany Fine Art Collections; Vito Acconci: Under-History Lessons; and Charles Atlas: Here she is...v1 closed on Nov.2. Upon reopening in January, artworks from Affinities and Outliers will be available for view in the Collections Study Space, as well as the new Study Gallery.

While the physical museum is closed, the new series Artist to Artist: Addressing This Moment can be accessed virtually. Presented in conjunction with the NYS Writers Institute and UAlbany Performing Arts Center, this series brings together artists whose work has been previously presented at UAlbany for conversations about the arts in this time of the coronavirus pandemic, a reckoning on systemic racism, and civil unrest.

Each segment features an informal conversation between a visual artist, a writer and a performer, combining powerful voices and compelling artistic practices that speak to our current challenges. Visit the website for the full series and links to all segments.

The University Art Museum is also available virtually to share resources and information with classes and educators. Museum staff are working to grow a new library of presentations on subjects connecting our exhibitions and collections to a range of topical subjects. For information about having a Museum staff member interface online with a class or group, email Berly Brown, education and public engagement coordinator.

Support for the University Art Museum exhibitions and programs is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, and The University at Albany Foundation.

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