Photographer Vivian Maier presents a mystery to viewers of her work The Museum of Art is shining some light on this artist, showing of the investigative film, “Finding Vivian Maier.”

“I’m excited and intrigued to learn about an artist who spent most of her life tucked away from public life,” said Debby Stinson, PR marketing and media manager of the Museum of Art.

The film looks at Maier’s life through the eyes of the people who knew her best, Stinson said. Her friends and the children she took care of as a nanny told their tales to explain how she lived.

“I think the story’s just amazing,” said Chris Bruce, director of the Museum of Art. “If it hadn’t happened, you’d want to make it up somehow.”

John Maloof discovered Vivian Maier’s work, and began the investigative look into Maier’s life.

“It’s awesome that John Maloof stumbled across a trunk at an auction and discovered her,” said Anna-Maria Shannon, associate director of the Museum of Art.

Curator of art and exhibitions Ryan Hardesty appreciates John Maloof’s diligence to his investigation of Vivian Maier.

“I thought John Maloof did a good job following leads to discover who she was,” Hardesty said. “He made sure to uncover her story. The film does a good job of showing that process.”

Based on the film and what was known about Vivian Maier, the Museum of Art staff isn’t sure if Maier would appreciate her new fame.

“Even with the film there’s still so much mystery around her,” Shannon said. “I think that’s what she would have wanted. She called herself a spy- she didn’t want people to know who she was or what she was doing.”

The film focuses on Maier’s life, attempting to discover who she was as opposed to the art behind her photographs. To make up for this deficit, the Museum of Art will bring in Marianne Kinkel, an associate professor of art history to discuss the photographs.

“(The reception) is an opportunity to hear an opinion about the work itself,” Bruce said.

“Kinkel will talk about the importance of Maier’s work in art history,” Shannon said.

Shannon described the film as haunting and saddening, a unique look into the life of a talented, odd photographer.

“I was saddened by some of the discoveries they made about her toward the end of the film,” she said.

Despite what discoveries were made, the quality of her work remains the same, Bruce said.

“The fact that a single photograph can still be so beautiful is amazing,” he said. “She captures human mystery. She really used it as a tool to explore the world.”

People have said Vivian Maier will be considered one of the best 20th century American photographers, Hardesty said.

“Everyone wants to understand what makes a genius tick,” Stinson said.

A reception will be held at 6 p.m. in the Museum of Art gallery, with a talk by Marianne Kinkel. Following the reception, the film “Finding Vivian Maier” will be shown in the CUB Auditorium at 7 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.