SUMA Observations & Conversations

In this episode, we sit down with SUMA’s Executive Director, Jessica Kinsey, to discuss an important part of our permanent collection, The Stillman Sculpture Court. We chatted about the changes that have taken place since the opening of SUMA and The Beverley Center in 2016, including new sculpture additions and updates to the overall design and landscaping. These changes have created a place of exploration, discovery, and contemplation that allows visitors to think about how they might see themselves reflected in the art. The Stillman Sculpture Court guide can be found here. Click the link for more information about the 2024 Director's Trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. A most sincere thank you to the many supporters who helped make the sculpture court a reality: Larry and Liane Stillman family, Cedar Band Corporation, Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival, Friends of SUMA, Iron County, Southern Utah University, Allan Houser Foundation, and Donna Law. We are also grateful to SUU Facilities for their efforts to beautifully maintain the sculpture court.

Making a museum accessible has become a popular topic of discussion throughout museums worldwide. In this episode, we share the varied accessibility efforts being made at SUMA. Our very own Alyssa Thomas, SUMA’s Coordinator of Visitor Experience, has done great work making our space more welcoming and inclusive for all visitors. Alyssa shares the importance of continuous advocacy for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which faced national legislative opposition in 2018, however, did not get enough votes to pass. Join our host, Emily Ronquillo, and Alyssa, as they also discuss 'Breaking Barriers', a state-wide accessibility training in Utah (provided by the Utah Division of Arts and Museums), and why accessibility should be at the forefront of our efforts at SUMA. We found the following articles to add additional context to our conversation. We’ve also included a link for information about the Utah Division of Arts and Museums training 'Breaking Barriers': MuseumNext: Making Museums Accessible to Those With Disabilities American Alliance of Museums: Museum Accessibility: An Art and a Science NPR: The ADA was a victory for the disabled community, but we need more. My life shows why Utah Division of Arts and Museums: Breaking Barriers

Southern Utah University Art History student Becca Hughes joins Dr. Becky Bloom and Emily Ronquillo to discuss her undergraduate internship in which she created an online exhibition of prints in SUMA’s collection. During her research, Becca was surprised to find some of the prints were frauds while others had authenticated provenance. Becca also discovered some artists who made it problematic for collectors to ensure they were purchasing authentic prints. Dr. Bloom agreed that printmaking is a medium that is easily forged, especially lithography. This episode is perfect for those curious about the process of printmaking and collecting. Dr. Bloom and Becca provide some helpful tips for collectors to ensure the print they are purchasing is not a fraud. For more information about printmaking techniques and processes: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Britannica - Printmaking, Etching, Engraving, Relief View Becca’s exhibition The Printmaking Renaissance: 19th and 20th Century Prints by Prominent Artists on SUMAs CatalogIt HUB.

Description Learn more about the exhibition Lennart Anderson: A Retrospective in this audio guide read by guest curator Randall Cabe. Lennart Anderson: A Retrospective is on exhibition at Southern Utah Museum of Art through September 23rd, 2023. Audio Guide – Welcome and Background Information - 00:00.00 - 01:36.708 Introduction - 01:38.748 - 05:15.314 Still Life - 05:16.111 - 06:34.368 Portraits - 06:35.801 - 08:15.636 Street Scenes - 08:16.636 - 09:48.228 Idyllic Landscape - 09:49.766 - 11:03.097 Rome - 11:04.675 - 12:35.417 Credits - 12:37.149 - 13:26.828

In this episode, Southern Utah Museum of Art Marketing Manager Emily Ronquillo and This Earth co-curator Hikmet Sidney Loe interview artist Michael Dax Iacovone. We discuss his work, Tracing the Arc of the Solstice, his process and how he learned geometry to make art, and connectedness and solitude during the retreat.  This episode was recorded during the opening weekend of the exhibition.  This Earth: Notes and Observations by Montello Foundation Artists is on view at SUMA through December 23, 2021. 

The deserts of Nevada and Utah have been potent landscapes for artists to render since first traversing these regions. Drawn to vast vistas, unique flora and fauna, and the subtle changes in geographic proportions and colors, there are extensive interpretations of nature and its meaning. In this episode, Southern Utah Museum of Art Marketing Manager Emily Ronquillo and This Earth co-curator Hikmet Sidney Loe interview Montello Foundation Founder/Director Stefan Hagen and artist Patricia Watwood. We explore the mission behind The Montello Foundation, what it is like to be alone in the deserts of the Great Basin, and learn more about the exhibition at SUMA.  This Earth: Notes and Observations by Montello Foundation Artists is on view at SUMA through December 23, 2021. 

Hear about This Earth: Notes and Observations by Montello Foundation Artists in this audio guide. 

Southern Utah Museum of Art Director/Curator Jessica Kinsey sits down with artist Stewart Seidman. In this episode, the pair talk about his upbringing, his career in advertising, and other pivotal moments that led him to his retirement in St. George, Utah.  Observations: People and Stories Visualized by Stewart Seidman is on exhibition at SUMA from May 8 through July 10, 2021.