Cindy Sherman takes photographs, but she does not consider herself a photographer. Her art is in story and character. She completely assumes the role of another, anonymous and fictitious, but utterly believable. Sherman’s piece, untitled like all her work, but referred to as Centerfold #94, is a perfect example of her ability to disappear and become the character, and in doing so, tell a story, inspire…

What was your first reaction to Julia? When I first met her, I was surprised because her physical app earance doesn’t seem to go along with the kind of person who makes cute little books. She has the sweetest character; the way she dressed didn’t reflect the way she acted, which really showed her complexity as a human, and consequently engaged me in her work and what she was about. Professionally she…

Harriet Spencer, who played a hugely important role in the growth and success of the Walker Art Center over many decades, passed away last month. An amazing woman and incredible friend of the Walker, Harriet joined the Board of Trustees in 1976 and became an Honorary Trustee in 2000. During the past 36 years, she frequently […] Harriet Spencer, who played a hugely important role in the growth and success…

Some art is about product, the final work, and some art is about the work coming into being, about process.  Katelyn Farstad’s current show, Mouthbreather at Midway Contemporary Art, is a hybrid, a collection of works that show the scars of their creation and express a pathology of process.  The works are all busy with detail […] Some art is about product, the final work, and some art is about the work coming…

Last week I read an article by Howard Hwang, a high school student living in Los Angeles. The article, published in 2001 in a youth produced newspaper, was titled, Why Museums Suck. While the article was written nearly a decade ago, it has roused a good dialogue in the blogosphere about the museum’s role in community engagement, especially with youth. As a youth worker based in a contemporary art…

After reading the article “Why Museums Suck” by LA Youth’s Howard Hwang I was taken aback. I never thought someone could hate museums so much, but I also never thought a fifteen year old youth could write such a good article. Hwang makes his point very plain and clear, which I think is important when making an argument. He also provides important insight on museums from a teen’s point of view…