New ‘Look Again’ exhibit expands UR’s art collection to reflect curriculum

The Harnett Museum of Art at the University of Richmond Museums is showing its latest acquisitions in “Look Again: Art for Our Curriculum”, an exhibition that reflects UR’s new approach to curating an art collection aligned with the culture of the campus.  

According to the UR Museums website, “Look Again” is a fresh approach to building an art collection at UR. Issa Lampe, the executive director of University Museums, said that this is the first time a collection has been in conversation with the school’s curriculum.

“The collections have not really been built, in the past, with any kind of dialogue of what the campus is teaching, or of what the campus’s cultural diversity values might be,” Lampe said. 

In fact, Lampe said that around 90% of the works in UR’s existing collections represent the art and perspectives of men of European descent. 

“Look Again” aims to change this. The exhibition includes drawings, painting, prints, photographs, coins and ceramics from diverse artists. 

“We’re making a commitment to this campus and to this community,” Lampe said. “We are working with faculty and administrators every single time we make a decision about whether we’re accepting a gift when we add to a collection.”

One way the exhibit aligns with the campus curriculum is by including artwork from a UR professor. Two of journalism professor Brian Palmer’s photographs are displayed in the exhibit. Palmer spoke at a gallery talk on Monday, Feb. 10, about the stories behind his two pieces, both untitled. 

“My work is weeded in social justice, journalism and people’s lives,” Palmer said. 

Palmer said that in his classes, he teaches photojournalism from a literal perspective; at the core, how to capture what is happening. But he also believes in striking a balance between capturing what’s relevant and making it artistic enough for people to care. 

“What we have to do has to be rooted in the literal,” Palmer said, “but it has to be lyrical enough for people to want to look.” 

Palmer also said it was “wild” to have his work featured alongside photographer Gordon Parks, and hoped that his work would add relevance to “Look Again.” 

“I’m hoping that there’s enough of the literal and the lyrical for my pictures to add something to this overall collection,” Palmer said. 

Palmer’s contributions aren’t the only way Lampe is working to align the UR Museums collections with the university’s academic curriculum. The selection process itself was deeply collaborative, and faculty engagement was crucial in shaping the collection.

Martha Wright, assistant curator of academic and public engagement, regularly reaches out to professors, asking if they are aware of relevant pieces in the collection that could enhance their coursework.

“[Martha] calls faculty and says, ‘Hey, I see you’re teaching a class in the history of a British novel in the 19th century, are you aware we have prints illustrating scenes from Dickens?’” Lampe said. 

Often, faculty have no idea these works exist in UR’s collection, but are interested in how they can incorporate them into their classes. 

“Faculty are really glad to be asked,” said Lampe. 

These conversations also help the museum identify gaps in the collection. At one point, Wright noted that there was no art in the collection by Native American artists. That realization sparked a broader conversation with faculty across departments, leading to the acquisition of a piece by contemporary Native American artist Wendy Red Star.

“One faculty member said, ‘I would love it if you had something by Wendy Red Star,’” Lampe said. “We go and we see if there’s anything available at a moderate price point, and then we workshop.” 

The museum’s acquisitions follow a strategic approach to balance faculty needs, curriculum needs, and the realities of the museum’s budget. Lampe shared this kind of strategy is especially important given the high volume of white, male perspectives represented in the collection. The team aims to broaden representation while also ensuring that new acquisitions are useful for teaching. 

Students were also involved in the process of building “Look Again.” In March 2024, UR sent nine students interested in the art world to New York City for a networking and art acquisition trip. Lampe said that participants got to visit seven different commercial galleries and vote on a piece within the school’s $15,000 budget to add to UR’s collection. 

“I loved having my input valued at such a high budget process,” said Zach Stevens, a UR sophomore who went on the trip. “UR does a great job of giving students the chance to have real-world experiences like this trip.”

The University Museums also enables faculty and students to host classes  with archival art, letting them engage with works that aren’t on display. Lampe said that last semester alone, the museum supported 70 class visits across 27 departments. 

The name of the exhibit, “Look Again,” was chosen to encourage visitors to take their time with each piece, embracing thoughtful observation to foster deeper engagement with the art. Through student-written reflections and accessible via QR codes, the exhibition offers multiple perspectives on the works displayed.

The “Look Again: Art for Our Curriculum” exhibit is at the Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art and will run through May 17, 2025. 

“The thing that really makes this exhibition sing is the voices of faculty and students who spent time looking—who truly looked again,”  Lampe said. 

Contact lifestyle editor Sophie Dulog at [email protected]