Employees of NYC museums and galleries get an opportunity to showcase their talents
The Whitney Museum of Art is set to host its annual staff art show, a celebration of creativity and diversity among its employees. The event, scheduled to take place from October 9 to November 9, will be held at the Westbeth Gallery on 55 Bethune St.
Staffers at the museum are encouraged to submit a wide range of art forms, including sculptures, drawings, paintings, performances, collages, poetry, and clothing design. This year, over 80 staff artists are expected to participate, showcasing their unique talents and unconventional materials.
One such artist is Eleanor Lovinsky, who has been a part of the museum's staff art show for the past two years. In 2022, she exhibited a piece that recycled a birdcage with bits of eggshells hung inside. Last year, she showcased a sculptural piece involving slides from abandoned buildings and tissue samples, forming a mobile.
Midrene Lamy, the Whitney associate manager of community programs and partnerships, has also been a regular participant, primarily showcasing charcoal drawings. She has submitted multiple works for consideration in the upcoming show.
The staff art show offers validation to employees whose work "can often feel more hidden than that of faculty, students, and even alumni." It provides a platform for these hidden talents to shine, offering a sense of pride and camaraderie among the staff.
Participating in staff art shows allows employees to showcase their unconventional materials and media. Past shows at the Whitney Museum have included a diverse variety of mediums, from slides from abandoned buildings to tissue samples, recycled materials like a birdcage and eggshells, and more.
For some employees, the staff art show serves as a source of motivation. Lovinsky, for instance, sometimes struggles to find the drive to start creating art, but the staff show offers her the push she needs.
In the world of museums, galleries, and auction houses, it's not uncommon for employees to produce artwork. The Parsons School of Design is hosting an inaugural staff art show titled "Making Time" from October 16 to November 9 at the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center, located at 66 Fifth Avenue.
As the date for the Whitney Museum's staff art show approaches, anticipation builds, and the museum community eagerly awaits the unveiling of the diverse and innovative works that will be on display.
