The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art opened its doors for an afternoon full of exploring art from world-renowned and Indigenous artists last Thursday.
The events commenced with a curatorial tour from Maryanna G. Ramirez, curator of education and programs, and Ryan Hardesty, executive director and curator at JSMA. Together, they guided visitors through exhibitions that included “Color Outside the Lines” and “Anish Kapoor: Dissolving Margins.”
Ramirez walked through the artworks of “Color Outside the Lines,” which debuted in Portland in 2024 and is now on display at WSU. Hardesty introduced Anish Kapoor’s printmaking practice to expand on his sculptural ideas and to trace Kapoor’s engagement with perception across mediums.
Among students, faculty and community members, WSU President, Dr. Elizabeth Cantwell and Jordan D. Schnitzer were also present.
Debby Stinson, Marketing and PR manager at JSMA, said they sometimes spend up to $ 1,500 to have local schools and students visit the museum for kids who don’t usually have the opportunity to do so. These visitors may visit not only the museum, but also the campus, and get a chance to see everything WSU has to offer.
Offering the students to come visit is an incredible service to offer and expose them to what college life can be like, Stinson said. “Maybe six out of ten students have never been to a museum before.”
Sam Smith, the previous president of WSU, funded multiple exhibitions at the museum for many years, Stinson said.
“As a museum, we have to rely on our donors, our sponsors and the university for the exhibitions,” she said.
Following the tour, press interviews were held in front of Kapoor’s Shadow #4 Series in the Wright Harmon Gallery at JSMA till 2 p.m.
Next was the artist lecture held in the CUB Auditorium by the Cheyenne and Arapaho artist Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds. Heap of Birds is known for their text-based artwork reflecting atrocities against Indigenous communities.
Heap of Birds discussed his background and his works in the Neuf series, which drew him to create art that speaks of native identity and history with broader critiques of institutions. He spoke of art as a medium for questioning, resisting and reimagining.
Stinson had never considered making art as a political statement, which she said was intriguing to watch as she looked at the works of Heap of Birds.
The evening concluded with a reception back at the Schnitzer Museum, where faculty, students, donors and community members mingled in conversation.
Together, the exhibitions, the tour, the artist lecture and reception showcased how the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at WSU leverages art to engage, educate and inspire.
