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What do we mean when we say 'America'? Some think first of the United States of America, even though the land now called America existed long before the modern country that would eventually fill it from ocean to ocean. Others might think of the diverse groups of peoples who have called this land home, and contemplate the cultural contributions made by native inhabitants along with later colonizers and immigrants. Others see America as a set of ideals, a system of beliefs, practices, and ways of approaching governance and community. Each set of these perspectives tells part of the American story. America is all of these things and more.

Guest Post by Alyssa Weyland, MOA Marketing and PR Intern How does someone go from a bullied, outcast misfit to one of the most celebrated American sculptors of his day?

May 17 – September 21, 2019

If you're in the state of Utah this month, you've probably heard about numerous celebrations about something called 'Spike 150' or the 'transcontinental railroad' or 'Promontory Point.' Spike150 is a state-wide celebration of the 150th anniversary of the joining of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads at Promontory Point, Utah, in 1869, which created the first transcontinental railroad.

The BYU Museum of Art is excited to welcome Kitsa Behringer as the newest MOA staff member. Kitsa Behringer received a master’s degree in Museum Education from the George Washington University, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Art History and Curatorial Studies from Brigham Young University. While her area of study is Early Christian, Byzantine, and Medieval art, her passion is education. Her museum experience includes holding the positions of Registrar at the Kimball Art Center, Educator at the Library of Congress, and Education and Programs Coordinator at the National Museum of Industrial History. At the MOA, Behringer is the newest of the Museum Educators. Her role as an Educator is to create opportunities for the public, the university community, and the local youth to engage with art. She will also mentor student employees, design family programs like the ever-popular Van Gogh to Play-Dough program for toddlers, and work with curators to create educational materials for exhibitions at the museum. 'As an Art Historian, I'm so excited to return to the fine arts,' Behringer said. 'I love looking at art, I love connecting emotionally with art, I love talking about art, and I love creating art.' Behringer fills the place of Lynda Palma, who retired from the MOA this month after over 25 years.

Written by Janalee Emmer, Head of Education

Contemporary artist Danae Mattes is fascinated by water.

It's almost Spring term and there is a lot happening at the MOA! We're excited to open two new exhibitions during Spring term, both showcasing the MOA's beautiful collection of American art. The MOA will also host many events, including the annual Family Arts Festival on June 14.

On May 10, 1869, two railroads—built with haste, hope, and aspiration—joined in the lonely desert of northern Utah at a place called Promontory. At a small ceremony that day, dignitaries from both the Central Pacific, which had built from California, and Union Pacific, which had built from Nebraska, gave speeches and installed ceremonial last spikes. The ceremonies were a moment of self-congratulation, as both enterprises had pushed tirelessly over several years to unite the country via rail. This year is the 150-year anniversary of the joining of the rails in Promontory Point and the BYU Museum of Art is commemorating this anniversary with a new exhibition entitled After Promontory.

Danae Mattes was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania. She spent time playing outside in the forest and often says that the woods were her first art studio. Being able to engage with and play in nature was very formative for her artwork and for her life.

Guest post by Caroline Parry, MOA Marketing and PR Intern

This semester, the BYU Museum of Art has welcomed over 150 people into the museum for relaxing, one-hour yoga classes under the famous Plexus no. 29 by Gabriel Dawe. The Yoga at the MOA classes are one-hour long and take place on the last Thursday of January, February, and March. The final Yoga at the MOA for the semester will be held on Thursday, March 28 at 6 PM. The idea behind the new Yoga at the MOA program is for more people, particularly BYU students, to experience the MOA in a different way. 'The space is the perfect place for yoga—it's beautiful, serene, and we are surrounded by art representing the natural world. It's so wonderful to be able to slow down and be mindful in the museum,' said Kylie Brooks, MOA Marketing & PR Manager and Yoga at the MOA instructor. Registration is required, to make sure we have enough room for participants. Those wanting to attend March's class can register here. Classes are free and all levels of yoga experience are welcome. No children under 8 years old. Please bring your own yoga mat. If you attended Yoga at the MOA this semester, give us your feedback! The MOA is planning to continue this program in Fall Semester and we at the MOA want to create the most wonderful environment we can for this new program. Give us feedback by commenting on this post, DM-ing us on Facebook or Instagram, or emailing moa@byu.edu. You can read more about Yoga at the MOA in this story from the BYU Universe.

On May 10, 1869, two railroads—built with haste, hope, and aspiration—joined in a lonely, dry desert of northern Utah at a place called Promontory. Promontory was an inflection point in the history of the American West—as well as the country as a whole—a moment that both symbolically and literally gave birth to a region of measurement, colonization, and extraction, to what historian Donald Worster has called 'the engineered West.'

Guest Post by Caroline Parry, MOA Marketing and PR Intern

Guest Post by Ellen Ford, MOA Marketing & PR Intern

Guest Post by Caroline Parry, MOA Marketing Intern

Guest Post by Ellen Ford, MOA Marketing Intern