Two exhibitions are currently on display at the Museum of Art in the Paul Creative Arts Center (PCAC). Those who are interested in art, architecture, history, sociology or history should pay the museum a visit to see the “7,000 Miles from Durham,” and Alumni Photography exhibitions, on display August 31 through Oct. 16. The official reception was held Thursday, Sept. 8 from 6–8 p.m.
Sara Zela has been the educations and communications manager for the PCAC Museum of Art for two and a half years. “‘7,000 Miles from Durham’ includes the collection that was bequeathed to the museum by Margaret Carson Hubbard, and those are African objects,” Zela said.
“[Hubbard] was a visiting lecturer in the history department at UNH,” Zela said, going on to explain that Hubbard has collected ceremonial objects and tools from the 1930s made by the Lozi people of Barotseland in western Zambia. Hubbard’s collection can now be seen on display in the PCAC Museum of Art.
The second part of the “7,000 Miles from Durham” exhibit consists of Mughal and Rajput paintings from 17th-19th century India that formerly belonged to Marion E. James, who was a UNH history professor for 30 years. The museum received part of her collection when she passed away in 2015.
“We call the paintings ‘Indian Miniatures’ because of the size of them,” Zela said. “And they are beautiful narratives that focus on Hinduism and court-life.”
The second exhibit downstairs displays 55 photography works by UNH alumni, selected by alumna Kristen Gresh, ’97. Gresh is now the estrellita and yousef karsh assistant curator of photographs at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA).
“A call to entry went out back in the spring to any alumni who had taken an art class at UNH,” Zela said. “Sixty alumni from all different majors and years entered their images, and 22 were chosen from that group. Downstairs we have everything from landscapes to abstract art to portraiture. A little bit of something for everyone.”
Zela said she wants to encourage students to come take a look at the exhibits. “I think it’s wonderful. We are a liberal arts school, and part of our mission is to teach with our exhibits. And so I think that everyone can bring their own interpretation of the works of art to the table.”
The museum will be closed for renovations from Oct. 17 to Feb. 1, but will be featuring instillation artist David Katz’s sculpture works next semester. Until then, the museum is free for students and open every day of the week, so don’t miss your chance to check out these wonderful works of art.