Letter from the Executive Director of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU welcomes you to the end of the spring semester as we explore contemporary artists and perspectives through our exhibitions and programs. A continued priority is to connect with you, and I hope we meet in the coming months at one of our openings, educational events, gatherings, or in the galleries of the museum. Bring a friend and visit as often as you like; we look forward to warmly greeting you!

On March 31, join us for artist talks and a reception for the MFA Thesis Exhibition Friday, March 31 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. in the museum galleries. Providing a wide range of styles and stimulating experiences for faculty, students, and local visitors, this annual showcase represents the culmination of three years work by the Master of Fine Arts graduate candidates.
An ongoing exhibition continuing through April 15 is a refreshed selection of works in Keiko Hara: The Poetics of Space, Four Decades of Paintings and Prints which explores paintings and Mokuhanga, Japanese woodblock printmaking, around the theme of Topophilia, meaning “a strong love of place.”

Opening May 16, What Was Always yours and Never Lost provides an essential introduction to recent works of video art and experimental documentary by North American indigenous film makers. The nine included films traverse a wide range to topics and formal strategies while touching on indigeneity. They make space for poetry and beauty, speaking to preserving the past, establishing community, and seeing the future differently.

Of course, these exhibitions and programs come with significant costs. With the assistance of the museum’s growing advisory council, we are launching a new membership program to ensure the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art prospers and thrives. With your help we will engage, enlighten, and educate visitors for years to come. I would personally enjoy speaking with you about this opportunity; I may be reached at ryan.hardesty@wsu.edu.

As we take these steps forward, I am excited for the future of our museum, and the growing impact we will have not only for Washington State University, but also for the greater communities of Pullman, Moscow, the Inland Northwest and indeed the Pacific Northwest. We cherish the museum’s long-standing mission to serve students of all ages and community residents, sharing insights and encounters otherwise not available in our rural setting.

Finally, I want to close this message with a profound thank you to all our students, staff, and advisory council members. Your efforts to work together for the good of the museum inspire me to come to work every day filled with enthusiasm. I look forward to working with you throughout the semesters to come.

Ryan Hardesty