Humanities, Vol. 1

Exhibit Details

July 23 - November 13, 2022
Eldredge, Spratlen, and Armstrong Galleries

The Springfield Art Museum is supported by a wide variety of staff roles. It takes everyone from security to custodial, to curatorial and education, to development and administration to keep the Museum running smoothly. Regardless of job duties, everyone at the Museum works in some capacity alongside the permanent collection. Does this impact relationships with the art objects on view? What connections with art are made as the building is secured, contracts are managed, school tours are coordinated, and grants are written? This exhibition seeks to answer these questions by highlighting the people who keep the Museum moving forward including staff, board and committee members, and community partners, as illustrated through a range of objects they have selected from the Museum’s collection. 

Humanities, Vol. 1 features 49 works selected by 36 co-curators and is organized around five broad themes: formal art technique, curiosity, memory, personal identity, and home. Each work is accompanied by expanded text from each co-curator describing their connection to the work of art on view. Featured works include paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics, decorative arts, and textiles. Featured artists include Julie Blackmon, Paul Cadmus, Dwaine Crigger, Morgan Frew, Thomas Hart Benton, Hasui Kawase, Anne Lindberg, Michael Naranjo, Robert E. Smith, Wendy Red Star, and Kara Walker, among many others.

This exhibition is the first in a series that seeks to investigate the 'spark' that begins a connection with art by examining disparate works in the Museum’s collection with a wide range of community members.  

Exhibit Resources

View the Exhibition Photo Album

Exploring the Spark FREE Take-Home Project Bag - this art-making kit features activities inspired by themes in Humanities, Vol 1. Register for your free project bag and then pick it up in the Museum's Lobby. Don't forget to share your work in progress or completed project with us on social media using the hashtag #sgfprojectbag

Program Details

Opening Day:
Saturday, July 23, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Museum Galleries

Join us in celebrating the opening of Humanities, Vol. 1. Drop-in for hands-on activities inspired by the exhibit. Free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

Slow-Viewing with Shauna LeAnn Smith:
Saturday, July 30, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Hush by Douglass Freed
Saturday, August 20, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Fulton Hotel by James Davis
Museum Galleries

Join us for Slow Viewing of Humanities, Vol. 1. Slow Viewing is a supportive practice for anyone who wants to develop their skills of interpretation, observation, and discussing art. Guests spend an hour carefully observing and speaking about the works on view, resulting in a deeper understanding of how they and others relate to the artwork and to each other. This program is facilitated by artist Shauna LeAnn Smith. This program is free, but space is limited so registration is required.

Collaborative Curation Discussion Panel:
Wednesday, August 10, 6:00 PM
Community Room

This panel, made up of Museum staff, Board members, and community partners and moderated by Curator of Art Sarah Buhr, explores the process of collaboratively selecting and interpreting the works exhibited in Humanities, Vol. 1. This program is free, but space is limited so registration is required.

Abstract Oil Pastels Workshop: SOLD OUT
Thursday, September 1, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Painting & Drawing Classroom

Drawing inspiration from works in Humanities, Vol. 1, participants will learn about abstract art fundamentals like shape, line, and color, and have the chance to make their own artwork using oil pastels. Registration is required. $30 workshop fee includes materials. Ages 15+

Guided Tours:
Sunday, September 11, 2:00 PM
Sundays, October 9 & 23, 2:00 PM

Join Museum Docent AnnElise Parkhurst for 30 minute guided tours of Humanities, Vol. 1. Free and open to the public. No registration is required. 

Gallery Talk with Nick Nelson:
Thursday, September 29, 6:00 PM 
Spratlen Gallery

Museum Director Nick Nelson will discuss his thoughts on the object he chose for exhibition in Humanities, Vol. 1, a Russian religious icon, from both personal and historical perspectives. This program is free, but space in-gallery is limited so registration is required. 

Linocut Workshop: SOLD OUT
Saturday, October 8, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Painting & Drawing Classroom

This workshop will explore the process of linocut printmaking, examine examples of linocut prints from the Museum’s collection, and give participants a chance to create their own print. Registration is required. $50 workshop fee includes materials. Ages 15+

Gallery Talk with Jordan Seyer:
Wednesday, October 19, 6:00 PM
Eldredge Gallery

Gallery Services Associate Jordan Seyer will discuss her approach to selecting objects on view in Humanities, Vol. 1 through personal connection, aesthetic interest, and formal painting techniques. This program is free, but space in-gallery is limited so registration is required.  

Monotype Workshop:
Wednesday, November 9, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Painting & Drawing Classroom

This workshop will explore the technique of monotype printing. Participants will view monotypes from the Museum's collection and have a chance to create their own unique print. Registration is required. $35 workshop fee includes materials. Ages 15+

Lead support for Humanities, Vol. 1 is generously provided by the Melinda J. McDaniel Charitable Trust, UW, Bank of America, N.A., Trustees.