Lyndel King

Twist and Seek(ins)

By heathercarroll December 7, 2017
Exhibitions, Uncategorized, Weisman Art Museum

 

I’ve been deep into processing photographs this week and was warmed by these photos from the 2001 opening for “Minnesota Art with a Twist”. Winter can be long and cold here, and maybe to some we seem a little wacky for putting up with it. Perhaps that’s just what inspired the theme of this exhibition–unconventional and a bit off-the wall, yet perfectly Minnesota. Cheese curds and french fries were served with wine at this event. There were roving jugglers and dancers, and for the kids, balloon animals and Twister. WAM Director Lyndel King wore a striking Nancy MacKenzie textile creation made from unexpected materials. Even more and rightfully so, the humorous, quirky, anything-but-normal works by Minnesota artists stole the show.

King wearing a Nancy MacKenzie creation for MN Art with a Twist

Gallery opening for MN Art with a Twist, with works by Donald Myhre and Herb Grika.

Art, off-the-wall and right back onto it. Guests marvel at the artworks in MN Art with a Twist.

Local artist and persona, Scott Seekins even made an appearance. I haven’t seen much of this local legend recently, but if ever there was an exhibition where I think he would fit in, this might be it. Perhaps he’ll make another appearance at WAM’s preview party for Prince from Minneapolis this week?

Local artist and persona, Scott Seekins shaking hands with Colleen Sheehy, former Director of Education at WAM (now head of Public Art Saint Paul), at the opening of MN Art with a Twist.

 

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Many Many Many Thanks

By heathercarroll November 22, 2017
Uncategorized, University Art Museum, Weisman Art Museum

Thank you notes. Copies of hundreds and hundreds of hand written, personalized thank you notes, jam packed and bound into sturdy 4″ cloth covered binders that are labeled “datebooks”.

These notes were all written by Lyndel King, Director of the University Gallery and Weisman Art Museum (WAM) since 1975.  King was director during the fundraising campaign and building process of the iconic Gehry-designed museum, which opened in 1993. The notes of gratitude contained in these “datebook” binders were written in 2010 to the many donors responsible for funding the 8,100 square foot addition to WAM.

Stewarding the relationships that make art collections and museums possible is just one of the many behind-the-scenes, and often thankless, duties of a museum director. These notes show grace, expertise and a passionate commitment to WAM. I can only imaging the time and effort she put into ensuring every donor was appropriately and personally thanked for their contribution.

A big thank you to Lyndel King for her efforts and achievements on behalf of WAM, the arts, the UMN community and beyond.

Paging through a “datebook” of correspondence including personalized thank you notes from Lyndel King to donors.

Special thanks to Liz Kammerer and Mark Yechout for their help in making the gif for this post.

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

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