Blog

You could win cash prizes of up to $100 in the Museum of Art Research Contest! We’re looking for students to pitch short research proposals to study aspects of James Tissot’s ‘Men and Women of the Old Testament’ series—currently on display in the Prophets, Priests, and Queens exhibition. Here are the rules:

We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of a new masterwork by Italian artist Luca Giordano (1634-1705). El Prendimiento de Cristo (The Arrest of Christ) became available at auction in Barcelona late last year, and the Museum was fortunate enough to acquire the painting thanks to funds graciously provided by Labor and Honor, the Andrea and James Clarke Family Foundation.

Each March, we celebrate Women’s History. This month and always, we hope you will take the time to learn more about women like these and be inspired by their stories. You can find more information about these women and others in our “Women in the MOA Tour,” featured on the BYU Museum of Art app.

James Jacques Joseph Tissot (1836-1902), "The Animals Enter the Ark," c. 1896-1902, gouache on board, 9 x 6 13/16 in, The Jewish Museum, New York. Image provided by the Jewish Museum, New York. Gift of the heirs of Jacob Schiff. Featured "Come, Follow Me" artwork for January 31 - February 6.

The month of February is full of love - within friendships, marriages, relationships, and families! The idea of finding an activity that will bring connection, knowledge, and love can be hard. Don’t you worry though, the Museum of Art has got you covered! The Museum offers a warm, cozy, and exciting venue to attend when you are planning your special night. Not only are there so many amazing art pieces to take a look at, but there are activities that will allow you to connect with your loved ones!

Guest Post by McKall Larsen, MOA Marketing Assistant

The Museum of Art regretfully acknowledges the passing of artist Walter Askin, a Pasadena native with a long career as an artist, curator, author, and teacher. Primarily a painter and lithographer, Askin also worked in sculpture and other media. In 2016, the MOA had the pleasure of sharing his work in the exhibition Reality Reorganized: Walter Askin and Wayne Kimball’s Mysterious Discursions. Askin received both his BA and MA from UC Berkeley. He has had dozens of solo and group exhibitions around the world, including at the Kunslerhaus, the MOMA, the Whitney Museum of Art, and various others. His career was defined by forming collaborative relationships with other artists and forming artists groups wherein the artists came together to collaborate and share feedback. Askin spent many decades as a teacher, teaching from junior high level through college, all the while creating artworks and continuing to learn more and refine his own style. He was known for his imaginative and humorous pieces that often shift the viewer’s expectations of familiar objects and themes. Many of his pieces are also tinged with satire as he uses his artistic expression to bring mankind’s perceptions of their greatness back down to reality. His work as an artist, a teacher, and a collaborator will be sorely missed.

Last night we had the privilege of hearing from Brian Kershisnik, the creator of the iconic Nativity painting featured in the MOA's West Lied Gallery, in a virtual Gallery Talk and Q&A. Viewers submitted their questions on everything from Kershisnik's career, the subjects of the painting, and more. Hear what he had to say here.

Did you visit the MOA in 2021? We want to hear from you! Help us improve future visits by taking this 5-10 minute survey. Answer as many or as few questions as you'd like to! All who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate to the MOA Store!

The BYU Museum of Art honors the exemplary life and legacy of Roy Christensen, who passed away late last night. Christensen's generosity, along with that of his wife Carol and their eleven children, established the position of Roy and Carol Christensen Curator of Religious Art, made possible a number of masterpiece acquisitions, and facilitated several large-scale exhibitions. The Museum can never repay the debt of gratitude we owe to the Christensen family, and we collectively pray for each of them during this time of mourning.

Each season that Halloween comes upon us, we each search for a way to spook each other and create a unique way for costumes. The thought of being able to work in such a place allows for me to be creative, open, and experience art in ways I never thought I could. I have been able to learn more about how Halloween ties into its own “artistic” ways and showing how we can be creative.

Put your creativity to work and you could win a $50 gift card from the MOA Store in the PB and J Challenge!

20 years ago tomorrow, the world changed forever in a wave of fire and grief and bloodshed. Lives were lost, families were forever shaken, and fear and hate found their way into hearts around the globe. The awful events of that day need no reminder, as their echoes haunt humanity to this day. No one's life would ever be the same again. In the midst of all the bitter memories and heartache, the mourning and sorrow we all can and should feel for the events of 20 years ago tomorrow, I hope you'll indulge me in discussing one tiny miracle from 20 years ago today.

In a world full of chaos and uncertainty, make it the best. Vik Muniz, a Brazilian artist, takes art to a whole new level of diversity. Muniz takes art to a point of inspiration. There is a deeper meaning to be more aware, more insightful, and more inspired.

In the last year, we’ve fought for toilet paper, suffered bad cases of “maskne”, became Zoom experts, and used more hand sanitizer than ever before. We’ve missed weddings and funerals, lost jobs, quarantined alone, lost loved ones, and dealt with the debilitating side effects of COVID-19. 2020 was a year for the record books.

It is an honor to announce the next director of the Brigham Young University Museum of Art: none other than our own Dr. Janalee Emmer! As the first woman to lead the Museum, she will officially begin in her new role on April 26.