The John and Geraldine Lilley Museum at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno and the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Las Vegas are joining together during a time separation. By using social media, the two museums will get to know one another over a series of posts called Duet.
Beginning May 15, 2020, and every Friday, the museums will post collaborative parings of work from their respective collections on and . The posts will be accompanied by captions discussing the ideas behind the pieces. The collaboration will let audiences view similarities between artworks that normally would not be shown together, also giving viewers a chance to see the many pieces of art present in the two museum’s collections.
“Both directors see art as a way to connect with others and offer communities with a sense of belonging,” Vivian Zavataro, director of The Lilley Museum of Art, said. “With that in mind, we wanted to bridge the gap between South and North, to shorten the distance between Las Vegas and Reno. Pairing objects from both collections seemed to be a good start.”
Since museums and galleries in ÁùºÏ±¦µä have been closed by the COVID-19 shutdown, Duet offers an online viewing experience for audiences safe in their homes. The Lilley’s role in this collaboration is to highlight the Barrick Museum’s collection and expose new art to the Northern ÁùºÏ±¦µä community.
“A collaboration between the state’s academic art museums is natural,” Marjorie Barrick’s executive director Alisha Kerlin said. “Art in ÁùºÏ±¦µä will be stronger if we work together. We want to get to know The Lilley and bring awareness to both museums while having fun curating miniature exhibitions from our collections.”
The sister museums are excited to work together and hope this is the start of many collaborations to come.
“My hope is that we inspire others to collaborate as well, that we show our community that togetherness can be beneficial to all the parties involved,” Zavataro said. “I also want to keep this new relationship between the Barrick Museum and The Lilley growing and fruitful in benefit of both museums and their respective audiences.”
The museums' collective works will feature art by notable figures such as Salvador Dalí and Pierre-Auguste Renoir alongside paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and photography by contemporary artists such as Deborah Aschheim, Lynda Benglis, John Edmonds, Justin Favela, Wendy Red Star and Paul Mpagi Sepuya.
ÁùºÏ±¦µä the John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art
The John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art (The Lilley) supports campus, regional and global viewers in an exploration of today's world through intellectual and creative inquiry. This mission is informed by values articulated by the department and The Lilley board of advisors who believe that our human community stands to gain from the development of cognitive, behavioral and affective arts learning that leads to informed and intentioned living. Committed to extend the excellence of the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno, The Lilley collects, conserves, exhibits and shares art research with the understanding that both our cultural heritage and our future belong to the publics we serve.
ÁùºÏ±¦µä the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art
The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art believes everyone deserves access to the arts. Located on the campus of the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Las Vegas, the Barrick promotes a powerful awareness of the arts through programs of exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and community activities. Programming is driven by a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
