FROM THE DIRECTOR

We’re excited to share this edition of the Visual Arts at Miami magazine with you as we look forward to exciting exhibitions and public programs this Fall. Over the past several months, the Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM) has been looking inwards and outwards. Looking inwards, we’ve been gathering more information about our visitors, including the students and the many classes we serve. We’ve seen an increase in visitorship by nearly 30% in the 2022-23 academic year, corresponding with our efforts to increase visibility and provide engaging exhibitions and public programs. Looking outwards, more specifically into the future, concept planning for a future renovation/ expansion of the Art Museum is in process, taking into account feedback from museum users, addressing critical needs, and most importantly drawing on our mission, vision, and values. We look forward to sharing updates in the future.

Exhibitions this past Spring were a great source of creativity, inspiration, and reflection. The Senior Capstone exhibition, Experiencing the Divine, allowed Art and Architecture History students to explore the complex interplay of objects from across the Abrahamic faiths. We also brought together faith leaders representing Islam, Judaism, and Christianity to talk about the commonalities and differences in their beliefs and traditions. Current Forms: Ohio Figurative Ceramics exhibition was a wonderfully creative project, displaying the work of 16 artists with Ohio connections. Kyle and Kelly Phelps presented on “Blue Collar Ceramics” - a thought provoking and personal exploration of their own lives growing up and the evolution of their creative process.

We have a lot to look forward to this Fall with exhibits including: A Golden Time: Turn of the Century Ohio Women Artists, the Student Response Exhibition entitled It’s Our World, which is in association with the Miami University FOCUS theme of Environmental Justice, and finally, Heritage: Shaping Past, Present, Future. The Heritage exhibition will also include a symposium which will be of interest to scholars and the public alike. We’re excited to share that several new acquisitions, including works by artists from Nigeria, Mexico, and the United States, will be part of our upcoming exhibitions. Themes of destruction, preservation, and change seem particularly poignant in terms of cultural heritage and the environment, and all three exhibits point to the importance and value of human creativity and ingenuity, often in the face of adversity.

This Fall we also celebrate the Art Museum’s 45th anniversary. We will be marking this landmark with a special Open House celebration on the evening of October 11, supported by Art Museum Members and the Art Museum Support Fund. All are welcome! Please consider ways to support us as we celebrate over 5,000 years of global artistic diversity - join us by becoming a member, or make an online gift to our Art Museum Support Fund. We look forward to seeing you soon at RCCAM - everyone is welcome!

John (Jack) D.M. Green

Jeffrey Horrell ‘75 and Rodney Rose Director and Chief Curator of the Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum

The Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM), completed in 1978 as the Miami University Art Museum, was designed by Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill in Chicago, and is situated on three acres of scenic sculpture park grounds. It houses five galleries of changing exhibitions and a growing permanent collection of more than 17,500 artworks. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and is a proud member of the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM).

Where is the Art Museum on Campus?

For starters, you can’t miss the large, industrial red sculpture by Mark di Suvero on the front lawn. The Art Museum is also just a 7-minute walk from the Armstrong Student Center, diagonally across from Tappan Hall, at the intersection of S. Patterson Ave. and Chestnut St., right when you enter Oxford off of State Route 27.

What can the Art Museum do for Students?

Lots of things! The Art Museum is a great place to see diverse exhibitions and explore outstanding works of art. You can also work, intern, volunteer, join the Art Museum Student Organization (AMSO), and attend lectures and social events.

What can the Art Museum do for the Public?

The Art Museum and Sculpture Park are FREE & OPEN to ALL and is an excellent venue for exploring arts and culture from around the world. Membership in support of programs and exhibitions is available at varying levels. Each one offers a higher level of engagement with the museum via special-invitation-only events and special programs. More information on the member program is available on our website via the Members link.

Hours

Tuesday–Friday: 10 AM–5 PM Saturday: 12–5 PM

Second Wednesdays: 10 AM–8 PM

Closed: Sunday, Monday, national holidays, university closures, and during installation (more info on website.)

FREE & OPEN TO ALL!

Website

MiamiOH.edu/ArtMuseum

Location & Contact

Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum at Miami University

801 S. Patterson Ave. Oxford, OH 45056 (513) 529-2232

ArtMuseum@MiamiOH.edu

Museum Staff Jack Green, Jeffrey Horrell ‘75 and Rodney Rose Director and Chief Curator

Hope Cook, Senior Program Assistant

David Dotson, Preparator/ Building Manager

Sherri Krazl, Marketing/ Communications

Jason E. Shaiman, Curator of Exhibitions

Elise Chevalier, Education Coordinator

Stevie Woolf, Administrative Assistant