The Friends of the Art Museum of West Virginia University are some of the museum’s leading champions. Whether they joined the Friends with an extensive knowledge of art or as an educational opportunity, members are dedicated patrons of our beloved museum.

The Friends of the Art Museum is a membership group for people who enjoy social, educational, and cultural activities that further their understanding of and appreciation for visual art. Events include members-only programs with artists, curators and collectors, as well as behind-the-scenes tours of art collections, gatherings in the homes of private collectors and artist’s studios, and invitations to exclusive dinners designed just for members.

Students interested in the science behind art and its conservation will now be able to study at West Virginia University in the Bachelor of Arts in Technical Art History program, the first degree of its kind in the nation.

“Technical art history is an exciting and relatively new interdisciplinary research field that brings together the humanities, science and art,” said Rhonda Reymond, associate professor of art history. “It incorporates the close study of a physical object using scientific methods with the humanities-based research of art history.  These scientific techniques, or research into the internal structures of a work of art, give us new insights into historical artistic techniques of making and materials as well as changes to the artifact that have occurred over time.” 

Four West Virginia University students will share their passion for music this summer as the resident quartet at Interlochen Arts Camp. 

Montani Quartet, comprised of Doctor of Musical Arts students Lauretta Werner, violin; Yaniv Gutman, violin; Gabrielle Padilla, viola; and Master of Music student Ryan Phipps, cello, will serve as String Quartet Teaching Fellows. 

Rose Casey will deliver, “Rooted in Black and White: Racial and Environmental Landscapes in William Kentridge's Universal Archive,” for Lunchtime Looks at the Art Museum of West Virginia University May 3.

Casey, assistant professor of English at WVU, will explore the aesthetics and politics of the tree series in William Kentridge's Universal Archive. She argues that the tree series shows how ideas are constructed—including ideas about race—and as such are open to change.

The 2019 West Virginia Mountaineer Short Film Festival, hosted by West Virginia University School of Art & Design, takes place April 26 – 27 at the Mountainlair on the downtown campus.

More than 50 videos will play throughout the weekend in diverse categories and entries from around the world. 

Talent West Virginia consisted of two rounds: a virtual audition and voting round from February 4 - March 8, and the live finale in WVU’s Gluck Theatre. The competition provided three prizes to winning contestants, with its Collegiate/Professional level 1st prize providing $1,500 and a full album recording contract with WVU’s recording label: Mon Hills Records. Its Secondary level 1st prize providing $1,000 and a EP recording contract with Mon Hills Records, and its 2nd prize being selected by the highest vote winner regardless of eligibility level providing $750 and a demo recording production with Mon Hills Records. 

Hosted by WVU Alumna and QVC personality, Kim Parrish kicked off the talent competition with high energy and enthusiasm with musical acts following, providing a memorable night. Judges Rick Modesitt from RMA Presents, Dallas Rogers from Nashville Access, and Keith Jackson Dean of the College of Creative arts facilitated the judging of the acts resulting in choice of finalists with assistance from viewers. 

A large grouping of works donated by two of West Virginia’s most prominent art collectors is now on display at the Art Museum of West Virginia University.

“Collective Insight: The Harvey and Jennifer Peyton Collection,” celebrates the expertise and foresight of the Peytons with a selection of more than 60 paintings, prints and drawings that represent some of the most important artistic movements of the twentieth century.

A special edition of Art Up Close! on April 17 will be an opportunity to get to know the new director of the Art Museum of West Virginia University.

Join us for a casual conversation between Todd J. Tubutis, the new director of the Art Museum of West Virginia University, and Jesse Wright, news director for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. The pair will talk about how Tubutis’s background led him to Morgantown, what makes an academic art institution unique, and what the future may hold for the Art Museum.