On Saturday, September 9, Hamilton College’s Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art will welcome a new exhibit. The opening of
Innovative Approaches, Honored Traditions
kicks off at 3 p.m. with a conversation amongst the public, artist Vanessa German and the exhibition curator Katherine D. Alcauskas. Following will be a free reception from 4–6 p.m. The opening honors the Wellin’s fifth anniversary, and the exhibit aims to convey a modern approach to the interpretation of art, both new and old.
The exhibit contains both contemporary and historic works from the museum’s permanent collection, offering them side-by-side in challenge to more traditional curatorial methods. From ancient Mesoamerican ceramics to contemporary pieces from 2016, the exhibition aims to address some of the Wellin’s overarching goals. Tracey Adler, the Johnson-Pote Director of the Wellin, emphasized the connection between
Innovative Approaches, Honored Traditions
and the underlying purpose of the museum itself. “Since the Wellin first opened in 2012, we have continued to grow the collection, acquiring 450 works of art through select gifts and purchases, with a specific focus on emerging and mid-career artists, as well as artists who have been historically underrepresented.” The collection holds true to its intentions, featuring works across historical periods and cultures.
Over the past 200 years, the college received donations of art from alumni and friends, much of which will be featured in the upcoming exhibition. The earliest works are from 1300 BCE, and the three newest acquisitions were all produced in 2016. The new works include Tightrope, Familiar Yet Complex 2, an abstract piece by Elias Sime, an untitled sculpture by Michelle Grabner, and a mixed media sculpture by Vanessa German. Sime’s piece is composed of electronic elements and provides commentary on the role of technology in modern society. Grabner’s bronze sculpture is cast from a hand-crocheted blanket and explores concepts of texture and space. German’s mixed media sculpture, “i will never smile again,” combines a wide range of elements, from household objects to cowrie shells and doll parts. Despite the vastly different themes of each of the new works, the new acquisitions all represent the Wellin’s efforts to diversify and update their collection.
The historic works in the exhibition include ancient Greek vases, glass vessels from the Roman Empire, Mesoamerican ceramics and Native American objects of material culture. The breadth of the exhibition symbolizes the Wellin’s endeavor to showcase art from multiple cultures and eras. The exhibition will be open through Dec. 10, and the museum will host two additional related events. The first program, “Wellin Collects: A Discussion with William E. Williams,” will be Friday, Oct. 20 from 4:30 p.m to 6:00 p.m. Alumnus William E. Williams ’73, currently a Professor in the Humanities at Haverford College, will address the importance of having a teaching collection available in liberal arts colleges. The second program will be a curator’s tour on Thursday, November 9 from 4:15 to 5:00 p.m. with Katherine D. Alcauskas. All programs are free.
