Student Curated Exhibitions
Two student-curated installations featuring objects from the Center's museum collections were presented in the Robert Delaney Southwest Research Library and Archives. Developed as final projects for the Department of Art & Design's Gallery Management course, the exhibitions highlighted both museum practice and the breadth of the Center's collections.
Behind the Exhibit: A Glance at the Museum Curatorial Process, curated by Willow Clark (History '26), explored the methods and best practices of museum collections management and curation. The exhibition featured a recent acquisition of eight Pueblo ceramic vessels donated to the Center by Mary Ann Sestili of Potomac, Maryland. The objects represented pottery traditions from Zia, Santa Clara, Hopi, San Ildefonso, Acoma, and Jemez Pueblos. As part of her work-study experience at the Center, Clark participated in documenting the donation, completing condition reports, and cataloging the collection. The exhibition offered visitors an opportunity to better understand the many facets of museum collections management and curatorial practice.
Herpetofauna of the Center: A Collection of Scales, curated by Lacy Miller (Geology '24), showcased a selection of objects from the Center's collections depicting reptiles and amphibians. The exhibition brought together works representing a variety of artistic media, stylistic approaches, and cultural traditions. Drawing on her interests in geology and paleontology, Miller highlighted the ecological importance of herpetofauna while demonstrating the many ways these animals have been represented in artistic and cultural expression.