For any fan of 19th century American art, this internship was a dream come true. I was tasked with writing wall labels for the new 19th century American art installation at the SCMA. When visitors will walk into the galleries for the next few years, my words upon the wall will help guide them along. No pressure! My very first task was to write a label for a painting by Albert Bierstadt, Landscape in the Bahamas (ca. 1877–mid-1880s).

Although I’ve been working with art for many years now, it is still a magical experience for me to hold an original work of art in my hands. At the Cunningham Center for the Study of Prints, Drawings and Photographs, which I manage, I work every day with original art. I feel blessed because art has always been therapeutic for me. When days get hectic or I feel stressed, I can walk into our storage and look at some works I particularly love and always come away feeling much better.

The Tryon Prizes for Writing and Art, 2020

Each year, two juries award monetary prizes to current Smith students for outstanding writing and art related to the collection at the Smith College Museum of Art. Writing may take any form, including a thesis, essay or poem. Art submissions may be an installation, performance, video, sound, digital, internet, and interactive art. Jurors seek a high level of artistic expression and presentation.

Today's post is from Aprile Gallant, Senior Curator of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs and Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs.  

I was saddened to hear of the recent death of the Japanese printmaker Iwami Reika. Hilary Tolman, Smith class of 1987, in whose honor twenty-three of the artist’s works have been donated to the SCMA collection, gave me the news, as she knew of my particular interest and high regard for Iwami’s work.

Guest blogger Hannah Goeselt is a former Cunningham Study Center student assistant, Art History Major, and a graduate of the Class of 2020.