GU art galleries reopen with new contemporary art exhibitions

For the first time since the closure of the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgetown University art galleries opened to the public on October 7 with new modern art exhibits available to all students.

The Maria & Alberto de la Cruz Art Gallery and the Lucille M. & Richard FX Spagnuolo Art Gallery, located on Prospect Street NW in the Walsh Building, have been closed since March 12, 2020. As part of their reopening, the galleries present new art exhibitions by modern artists and host programs for students, such as the “Cookies with the Curator” event on October 14, which showcased the new exhibitions in the galleries.

Nationally renowned art is now fully accessible to students willing to venture out just a few blocks from campus, according to founding director and chief curator of GU Art Galleries, Al Miner.

“Since all Georgetown students have been vaccinated, anyone with a GoCard is free to come without pre-registration,” Miner said in a telephone interview with The Hoya. “Students don’t have to go to the Smithsonian to see quality Smithsonian art.”

Non-Georgetown visitors without GoCard are required to pre-register before visiting exhibits, as well as showing proof of vaccination, according to the GU Art Galleries website.

According to student artist Amelia Myre (SFS ’25), attending the galleries in person will make viewing artwork much more impactful for students.

“The physical work of art is so moving in itself, and for students it will be crucial to see this in person – and not through a screen – for them to see how academics and art come together. so many ways, ”Myre said. during an interview with The Hoya.

The exhibitions in the Cruz gallery are accommodation works by artist Teresita Fernández, MacArthur Foundation Genius Fellow and Guggenheim Fellow. Fernández’s exhibition, titled “Dark Earth”, will be open to the public until December 12 and will explore historical and cultural perspectives through landscapes with natural phenomena.

Being able to showcase Fernández’s works is an exciting aspect of reopening galleries, according to Emma McMorran (GRD ’22) trainee at GU Art Galleries.

“Fernández is a notable figure in contemporary art, and we are delighted to share his work with the public after our closure,” McMorran wrote in an email to The Hoya.

In order to show students the importance of this art, the gallery will welcome a conference and panel discussion with Fernández starting November 11, according to the GU Art Galleries website.

The Spagnuolo Gallery presents a new exhibition by Joseph Grigely, deaf visual artist and Guggenheim Fellow. Grigely’s exhibition, title “Songs, With and Without Words” explores the role of language in everyday life and will be on display until December 12th.

Grigely’s works depict photos of famous singers as they perform, using the noise of the stage to contrast his own silent experiences.

Before reopening the exhibitions in person, GU Art Galleries tenuous virtual events, including public discussions featuring artists and curators. Now that the galleries have reopened to the public, art galleries are planning to hold more in-person events.

The new exhibits may provide a source of positivity for students during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to McMorran.

“We want to provide safe opportunities for students to engage in the arts,” McMorran wrote. “We hope that students across campus, and not just arts-related fields, will benefit from these programs. “

Now that both galleries have reopened, Miner hopes more students will enjoy and be interested in the works of art on display.

“I want students to realize that this is not a space for exclusion. It’s your campus, your home, built for you, ”Miner said. “Galleries can just be a nicer walk between yards or on the way to Car Barn.”