ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR'S LETTER

Nancy C. Dougherty

I began my first year as Chair of the LSU Museum of Art Advisory Board just as Baton Rouge was struggling to emerge from the claustrophobic effects of COVID and lock downs. Following months of holding Advisory Board meetings by Zoom, we were excited to hold the annual Membership Meeting of the LSU MOA in person in August of 2021. At the meeting, the membership had the opportunity to meet and to visit in person with one another and then to enjoy the Form & Fire ceramics exhibition upstairs in the galleries. Featured in the Form & Fire exhibition were American Studio Ceramics from the E. John Bullard Collection. A second exhibit, The Boneyard: The Ceramics Teaching Collection was presented in conjunction with Form & Fire and provided museum visitors with multiple opportunities to watch ceramic artists at work.

In September 2021, the LSU MOA Advisory Board was back to meeting and conducting its business by Zoom, but by March of 2022 we were ready to meet in person again. Meanwhile, LSU MOA continued to provide excellent exhibits under difficult circumstances. Outstanding exhibitions this year have highlighted LSU MOA’s ability to keep the museum open and operating during the age of COVID. Those exhibitions have included: The Agnotology of Tigers, featuring works by Candice Lin, State of the Art 2020: Record organized by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas and Eugene Martin: The Creative Act. Mr. Martin was an African-American abstract artist whose works are held in the LSU MOA’s permanent collection. Ms. Lin’s exhibition explored the history of indentured Chinese labor in Louisiana and beyond. Throughout the 2021–2022 year, the museum staff has gone above and beyond to provide a safe, welcoming, and educational environment at the LSU Museum of Art. Acquisitions during this period were outstanding as well, including the many ceramic pieces that have been generously donated by Mr. E. John Bullard.

I am very proud to be affiliated with the LSU Museum of Art, and I look forward to a great 2022–2023 year. Please remember to keep the LSU Museum of Art at the top of your list as a destination for enjoyment, enlightenment, and entertainment and to support the museum with your donations and with your presence. Also be sure to shop at the LSU Museum Store for the perfect gift or for just a little self-indulgence! Your support is critical to the museum’s growth and success.