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Pictures at an Exhibition: Fenwick Gallery
This document summarizes the creation of an art gallery in the hallway of Fenwick Library at George Mason University. It describes renovating the space, establishing goals and policies for the gallery, curating various exhibits over time, and engaging with students and faculty. The gallery has been successful in promoting the library's collections and enriching the intellectual life of the university community.
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Pictures at an Exhibition: Fenwick Gallery
- 1. PICTURES AT ANEXHIBITION: FENWICK HALLWAY GALLERY Jenna Rinalducci, MA, MLIS, Art & Art History Librarian Jamie W. Coniglio, MLS, Head, Fenwick Library Research Services Take Risks, Embrace Change: The 2014 Conference for Entrepreneurial Librarians October 17, 2014
- 2. THE PERSISTENCE OFMEMORY
- 3. Fenwick Library Exterior1967 - 2016
- 4. Fenwick Library HallwayInterior 1983 - 2013 • Connects original Fenwick space to two towers/wings (stacks, SC&A, UDTS, other library offices, study rooms, study spaces, DWR, etc.) • Hallway used for • Card Catalog space • Public OPAC space • Public PC space
- 5. Fenwick Library Exterior1967 - 2016 Fenwick Library New Addition (scheduled completion January 2016) • November 2012 – January 2013 • Existing first floor, all wings, moved, rearranged • AUL and Head, Fenwick Research Services chatting in hallway • Discussing next phase of construction preparation • Hallway = new fireproofing / new fire doors, wall • Re-routing traffic during Fall Semester 2013 • The BIG idea
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- 7. Head, Fenwick ResearchServices: “Wouldn’t it be really neat if we could stick up some sort of art or stuff to jazz up this hallway?” AUL, Research & Ed Services: “Great idea! Go for it!” Head, Fenwick Research Services: “HEY, JENNA! GUESS WHAT!!”
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- 9. Grounded in Reality Available Space Available Space: 74” wide 62’ 3” long Entrance/Exit: 92” wide 65’ long
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- 11. Grounded in Reality Problems: Tech Services Door Area Temperature Control New Fire Doors & Wall Two windows covered Available Space: 74” wide 62’ 3” long Gallery Display Zone Entrance/Exit: 92” wide 65’ long Fire Marshal Zone
- 12. WATER / PhysicalStructure: Fun with Facilities • Facilities • Painters • Electricians • Carpenters • Pedestals • Bookcase, Pillar • Networking • ADA needs • In the background • Gallery Name • Gallery Tagline
- 13. WATER / GalleryStuff Storage Tools Equipment
- 14. WATER / Funwith Facilities West windows covered The thing that can’t be moved or blocked Tech Services door
- 15. WATER / Facilities:What they don’t teach in Library School
- 16. SKY / InternalInfrastructure First Things First • Write GRA position description • Advertise and hire GRA Research • GRA = other library galleries • GRA = space needs (lights, etc) Gallery Mission and Goals • Set the vision • Set the parameters • Basis for policies, procedures
- 17. SKY / InternalInfrastructure: Mission Statement Fenwick Gallery is a hybrid, walk-through exhibit space contributing to an atmosphere of scholarship & inquiry. Rooted in the libraries’ mission, the purpose of the gallery is to enrich the intellectual, educational and cultural life of the University.
- 18. SKY / InternalInfrastructure: Goals • Promote the Libraries’ collections to encourage scholarly and cultural inquiry at George Mason University • Highlight research and scholarship at/of George Mason University • Stimulate intellectual and creative reflection through visual and multi-media exhibitions, discussions, etc. • Promote the Libraries’ academic and cultural mission • Support the Libraries’ development program and goals
- 19. SKY / InternalInfrastructure • Meetings with School of Art administrators • Formed partnership (MOU) • We hire MFA student / They provide 6 credits in-state tuition • Meetings with legal counsel • Adapted artist release form to comply with University • Meeting with faculty curator • Discussed policies & release form to confirm on right track • Meeting with University Records Manager • Developed plan to retain admin documents • Meeting with Head, Metadata & Cataloging • Workflow for location change/Gallery location in catalog • Meeting with DPS • Set up Gallery website (Word Press) • Omeka
- 20. SKY / InternalInfrastructure: Sample Form
- 21. GARDEN OF EARTHLYDELIGHTS
- 22. Women’s Visions /Women’s Voices April - June 2014
- 24. Selected Works July– August 2014
- 26. Call + Response2014 September 6 – October 3, 2014
- 28. Current Exhibit UpOctober 13, 2014 Scenes from Behind the Wall: Images of East Germany, 1989/90 • In collaboration with Libraries’ Special Collections and History faculty • Existing SC&A image collection • University-wide recognition of 25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall • Exhibits, lectures, film screenings, musical performances
- 29. I AND THEVILLAGE
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- 31. Class Visits “Itwas also great to have the exhibit up for a month, which allowed faculty to fold Call + Response into their syllabi and assignments.” – Susan Tichy, Professor English Department
- 32. Advertising / PR • library.gmu.edu • Library News • FB, twitter, myMason • Flyers • LCDs • Library • Student Centers • Working on link from SoA site
- 33. Gallery Talk September17, 2014 “It was so rewarding for the exhibition participants to have a large audience attend the panel this year and follow-up comments have been glowing in praise of the show and panel.” - Helen Frederick, Professor, Art
- 34. Gallery Talk September17, 2014 http://bit.ly/callresponseexhibt1
- 35. Archiving University Archives • Artist Release Forms • Permissions to film in gallery OMEKA Website • Administrative documents • Exhibit materials • Images, Interviews, etc.
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- 37. Masterpiece(s) Engagement Activity& Buzz Staff Development Creative Art & Inquiry “I think the library has offered a very different context… and that more students and visitors to the library are noticing and reflecting on the work, perhaps in a more serious way. Certainly the exhibition is accessible to many more and diverse audiences who are not distracted by other activities as they were when entering Gallery 123 from the food court. More students and visitors to the library are noticing and reflecting on the work, perhaps in a more serious way.” – Helen Frederick, Professor School of Art
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- 40. Acquisitions Two Ways Aleatory II: Aviary
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- 42. Realized Vision “Itexposes people to art during their regular day-to-day activity, instead of being set apart and separate. It's thrilling that everyone from construction workers to professors to students to campus visitors got to enjoy the work.” – Ariel Hamilton, artist
- 43. "I get soexcited every time something new goes up in here." – Mason Undergraduate Student So do we. It’s a piece of cake! #score
- 44. Questions? Comments? Formore information, please contact • Jenna Rinalducci, MA, MLIS jrinaldu @ gmu.edu • Jamie Coniglio, MLS jconigli @ gmu.edu • fenwickgallery.gmu.edu
Editor's Notes
- #3 Physical Environment – Why the Hallway? Fenwick Stages of Growth
- #8 January 2013 After BIG Move
- #9 It’s just a hallway guys – not any more! The “hey let’s put on a show” effect Involving artists put the project on another plane
- #10 Spring Semester 2013 Diane at meeting learned that Gallery 123 in main student center was closing Diane “floated” idea of Fenwick art space by CVPA Senior Associate Dean JR and JC drafted proposal and submitted it to Diane Proposal taken to University Librarian and approved
- #11 Two simultaneous projects Convert/Prepare the space physically = water Prepare to manage the space = sky Forms And more JC – describe physical space changes - water JR – describe research and admin set up for space - sky
- #12 Physical space work: approximately January 2014 – April 2014. (Hallway shut down due to construction prep September – December 2013. Basic timeframe to pull gallery together for first show = August 2013 to April 2014. With adventures along the way. Firewalls = new. Tech Services door “alcove”. No plants in gallery?
- #13 Preparing the Vision – You need what? – tools – not just sticking up stuff Carpenters – windows, pedestals Mason White Painting the roses red – white bookcase got painted Borrowed pedestals – have since had our own made Old display case not needed by gov dox anymore Need pic of tool case / storage closet
- #14 Preparing the Vision – You need what? – tools – not just sticking up stuff Carpenters – windows, pedestals Mason White Painting the roses red – white bookcase got painted Borrowed pedestals – have since had our own made Old display case not needed by gov dox anymore Need pic of tool case / storage closet
- #15 2 west windows were covered by construction workers for fireproofing 2 windows covered in drywall/ much discussion on what and how to cover west facing windows. JC = DUH. Let’s cover them to match the 2 drywall windows. Got the ok – painted white. Decided it would be good to have them all painted a color closer to the brick color Door jamb ends useable space; wooden door painted white to “blend” Discussion on painting the bricks – covered the windows
- #16 Where are they? Painters hammered this summer with moves and other interior projects on campus – very unusual to be put to bottom of list – seized the moment. Repeated last week due to budget cuts not scheduling problem. Discovered different colors/types of spackle and learned to love magic eraser Other times we’ve had to do it Jamie & couple other library staff filling painting & spackling this summer—a lot of work! This last time less work so only light spackling & sanding along w/ magic eraser
- #17 Hired GRA with experience – smart move. GRA had art connections and gallery experience. Set GRA to researching library gallery “stuff” – based on the research, created mission and goals to set the stage for policies, etc. Policies include statement on “ease of installation” (jenna is this right?) I will print out a use policy doc and bring it. Security statement on release form – correct? As well as use policy.
- #20 Conversations with SoA July 2013 Meeting set up with CVPA Senior Associate Dean and relevant CVPA staff Learned that Gallery 123 was closing in JC CVPA staff in transition CVPA interested in pursuing public art space FenRef offered one GRA position to be re-worked and dedicated to project Gallery website – decisions had to be made on layout, what to include, content update, etc – all JR’s responsibility and decision -
- #21 Release form
- #22 Section of Exhibit Highlights Exhibit schedule: flexible – aiming for at least 3 per semester? Plan is for staff exhibit to be standard / tradition for summer sessions Gallery upkeep – budget cuts now. In talks with library admin services about “real patch and paint” at least twice a year between academic sessions. Key will also be how show layout to hide the worst booboos until they can be really fixed. Still trying to get painters’ mason white vs. home depot match. Stay tuned. As of April, 3 exhibits run full course Want to show some highlight from those 3 In addition, new exhibit just went up Plus will have 2-3 more exhibits before summer thanks to enthusiasm of the current grad asst
- #23 1st exhibit curated by graduate assistant w/ a lot of experience curating & installing shows Focuses on the voice of women in art—hence the name All of the work by female artists, although really was on art that addressed women’s issues Can see the grad asst Ceci installing the works w/ help from staff member from Tech Services who is sculpture & wanted to learn about exhibit installation
- #24 Mixture of original work on display & high-quality posters showing art that was featured in a student-run journal So to Speak started by Creative Writing MFAs Work in lower right corner by the gallery grad student Bookcase of left highlights items from library collection: books & journals in 1st exhibit Decided to have soft opening so no reception But did put information & images on the website & created handout as take-away
- #25 Several people in the library suggested showcasing work by library staff & really liked idea Have a lot of hidden artists in the library in various departments (cataloging, reference, systems, admin office, circulation) Incl. examples of fine and applied arts From images can see: sculpture, painting, photography, glasswork & needlework
- #26 See some additional examples here Since show invl. different mediums & sizes took more space planning than previous show Plan to continue having staff exhibits in summer Summer little more difficult since don’t have grad asst Plus helps morale
- #27 3rd & most recent exhibit that just finished is Call & Response Pairs writer & artist who then create artist book together Can see works take variety of forms Primarily features MFA students from Art & Creative Writing BUT also artists & writers associated with the university 6th annual Call & Response exhibit Curator by 2 faculty members from SOA & English See postcard/advertising on left they created Plus images of installation
- #28 See some other pieces from exhibit New wrinkle: request to hang piece from the ceiling – we did it! Kept electrical & network outlets so could have multi-media exhibits Able to take advantage of that & video here shows process used by the artist
- #29 Exhibit just installed this week Worked with Special Collection since photographs from their department Was actually faculty request (history) Part of larger celebration on campus program George Mason Campus Weeks Commemorating the 25th anniversary of Fall of Berlin Wall See photographers whose work is featured in this new exhibit But prior to installation, had to get the space ready again. See graduate assistant Anne sanding the walls after spackling to fill in the holes Can see our “very handy” toolbox in the photo
- #30 Section: Events, classes and more Goal in creating gallery has been to incorporate the university community into the exhibits Includes class visits, event programming such as gallery talks & receptions
- #31 The last exhibit Call & Response had several classes come in to view the work At least 6 classes visited the exhibit Classes from both SOA & English Dept. Ultimately our goal is to have these exhibits incorporated into the curriculum
- #32 The last exhibit Call & Response had several classes come in to view the work At least 6 classes visited the exhibit Classes from both SOA & English Dept. Ultimately our goal is to have these exhibits incorporated into the curriculum
- #33 As part of the festival, Call & Response exhibit had gallery talk featuring pairs of artists & writers whose artist books in the show Approx. 70 attendees incl., faculty, students & community members So many people (esp. w/ 2 classes) that had overflow into hallway Guinea pigs for event planning Thankfully didn’t scare them off & next plan to mark off larger space outside conference room Following gallery talk: Artists & writers in the exhibit and many attendees walked down to the gallery to continue discussion See the artist discussing her work w/ photography professor
- #34 As part of the festival, Call & Response exhibit had gallery talk featuring pairs of artists & writers whose artist books in the show Approx. 70 attendees incl., faculty, students & community members So many people (esp. w/ 2 classes) that had overflow into hallway Guinea pigs for event planning Thankfully didn’t scare them off & next plan to mark off larger space outside conference room Following gallery talk: Artists & writers in the exhibit and many attendees walked down to the gallery to continue discussion See the artist discussing her work w/ photography professor
- #35 The gallery graduate assistant recorded the gallery talk & created videos Instead of one long video, she created multiple, shorter videos showing each pair of presenters (artist & writer) They’re available on the gallery website & on the library YouTube channel Depending on time can show portion of video
- #36 Important behind-the-scenes aspect to creating & running gallery is archival process Involves working w/ University Archives But creating own archival records—Just given Omeka site to upload admin docs & information about past exhibits
- #37 Results / Outcomes / Plans Section Also want to take a moment to show how far we’ve come & where we plan to go from here
- #38 See here some of our intentions w/ gallery w/ text Plus images from 3 exhibits
- #39 From mgmt perspective – it’s difficult for subject librarians to have the opportunity to directly supervise, plan, leadership, recruitment, scheduling, etc manage, assess, adjust, work directly with university personnel in other venues other than subject area foci - and develop those skills outside of a temporary group, work team or his/her own individual work. The gallery has afforded this position Photo from the staff exhibit reception – exhibit = staff morale, support, delight; reception = same. Yesterday reception for current exhibit
- #40 Falling under “And More” category are interviews w/ artists Graduate assistant Ceci from last year interviewed 2 artists whose work was in the 1st exhibit Women’s Voices/Women’s Visions Both of the artists graduated from the MFA program at Mason Even through her assistantship is over, she’s still working on the video for us. Will include on website Have also incl. transcribed interviews on website & incorporated into exhibits for other 2 shows Hope to make ongoing part of exhibits Enhances the experience Better understand the artists & their work
- #41 Collecting books on various aspects of art of course; also collecting artists books. Libraries purchased this book from student creators Will add to the artist book collection in the library Artist who made that statement (Aleatory II: Aviary by Marcos Martínez & Ariel Harwick) REPEATS FROM PREVIOUS SLIDE—Ariel Harwick: “I am excited about this gallery space for that very reason: it exposes people to art during their regular day-to-day activity, instead of being set apart and separate. It's thrilling that everyone from construction workers to professors to students to campus visitors got to enjoy the book.”
- #42 It was challenging at first, to envision and design an exhibit for such a different space; but the library offers a larger and more diverse audience, with potential for great collaborations of a different kind. (Susan tichy) Here’s Playlist of 4 videos. Each approx. 1 minute Video highlights from creating the gallery to the first three exhibits
- #43 Painters’ field trip
- #44 PRETTY STRONG RESPONSE – WE’VE ONLY DONE 3 COMPLETE EXHIBITS! Word of mouth =
- #45 Questions Contact information