Coming Into View showcases sixteen oil paintings from the museum’s permanent collection—half landscapes and half portraits. These paintings highlight the incredible collaborative work that goes on every day behind the scenes at this university museum. 

Many of these paintings have never been displayed to the public before. Some had incomplete information, and others needed special care and conservation. However, class research assignments, intern projects, and graduate assistant work have uncovered fascinating details and even allowed us to correct misinformation about the painting or artist.  Course visits—where students engage personally with these works of art—highlight their importance. Scholarship has led to specialty conservation, and collaborations have brought new perspectives to bear on the techniques, meaning, and relevance of each piece.  

This exhibition underlines how students and academics are a vital part of our museum’s mission to share new stories and gain better understanding of our collection.