News
University of Richmond Museums
Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art * Joel and Lila Harnett Print Study Center
Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature
Richmond, Virginia 23173
http://museums.richmond.edu

Contacts: Heather Campbell, Curator of Museum Programs, University Museums,
804-287-6324, hcampbel@richmond.edu or Brian Eckert, Director of Media and
Public Relations, 804-287-6659, beckert@richmond.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 28, 2011

SOCIAL CUSTOMS ACROSS CULTURES: MUSEUM STUDIES SEMINAR EXHIBITION
OPENS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND MUSEUMS

The University of Richmond Museums presents Social Customs Across Cultures:
Museum Studies Seminar Exhibition, on view from April 7 to May 26, 2011, in
the Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature and the International Gallery at
the Carole Weinstein International Center. Featuring more than twenty prints,
drawings, photographs, and cultural artifacts from the University Museums'
collection, the exhibition presents a cross-cultural examination of social
customs such as dance, music, games, dining, and drinking.

Highlights of the exhibition include: Singer in Satin, Cotton Club, 1939, a
pen and ink drawing by Luther Coleman Wells (American, 1912-2010); A Midnight
Modern Conversation, 1732-1733, an etching and engraving by William Hogarth
(English, 1697-1764); a carved wood Mankala Game Board from Africa dating to
the early twentieth century; ceremonial enamel on porcelain saki cups from
Japan dating to 1850; and porcelain Sufi Dervish figurines from Turkey dating
to the 1980s.

Social Customs Across Cultures is presented by students enrolled in the Museum
Studies Seminar, taught by Richard Waller, Executive Director of University
Museums.  As part of the course, Professor Waller guides students through
curating an exhibition, this year's theme being "Context and Object."  Using
this concept, the class decided to examine and explore other events that were
occurring across the campus to find a common theme to enhance the exhibition
experience. The focus on global culture in upcoming events on campus led the
curators to research what various cultures share in common social customs. 
Works of art and artifacts were selected from several cultures, and the
exhibition explores the commonalities between these objects through the
context of various social rituals, ranging from dance and music, to games and
sports, to dining and drinking.

Under the supervision of their professor, and working closely with the
University Museums staff, the students curated and designed the exhibition,
developed exhibition text, coordinated programming, and planned marketing
strategy.  Collaborating as a class and in teams, the curators are Emily
Bowden, Caroline Cobert, Kathryn Given, and Mary Ellen Stanley; the educators
and programmers are Jackie Clary, Julia Czech, and Layla Hedges; and the
marketers are Anne Tyler Feldmann, Mark Ferguson, and Amy Nicholas.

Programming
Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 7 to 9 p.m.
7 p.m., Discussion presented by members of the class, International Commons,
Carole Weinstein International Center
8 to 9 p.m., Celebration and opening reception and preview of the exhibition,
Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature

All programs are free and open to the public.

Note: Images for press are available by contacting Heather Campbell,
804-287-6324 or hcampbel@richmond.edu

University of Richmond Museums comprises the Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of
Art, the Joel and Lila Harnett Print Study Center, and the Lora Robins Gallery
of Design from Nature. Admission to all museums is free and open to the
public. For group visits and tours, please call 804-287-6424 at least two
weeks prior to your visit for reservations. Call 804-289-8276 for information
and directions or visit our website at museums.richmond.edu

The Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art is located in the George M. Modlin
Center for the Arts. Museum hours (1/12-4/22/2011): Sunday through Friday, 1
to 5 p.m. Summer hours (4/27-5/20/2011): Wednesday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Closed Easter Sunday (4/24/2011), and Summer Break (5/21-8/16/2011).

The Joel and Lila Harnett Print Study Center is also located in the George M.
Modlin Center for the Arts. Museum hours (1/12-4/3/2011): Sunday through
Friday, 1 to 3 p.m., and by appointment (804-287-6424). Closed same schedule
as above.

The Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature is located in a separate wing of
the Boatwright Memorial Library with its entrance on Richmond Way. Museum
hours (1/12-4/22/2011): Sunday through Friday, 1 to 5pm. Summer hours
(4/26-7/22/2011): Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. Closed Easter Sunday
(4/24/2011), and Summer Break (7/23-816/2011).