LOOKING AT LEADERSHIP
Curated by Sarah B. McCann
On view January 25 through March 5, 2021
2020 was a year of new and continued challenges on a national and global scale. Fighting for our lives against the COVID-19 pandemic, fighting for Black lives against the continued violence and terrorism that has deep roots in this country, and keeping pace with advancements in technologies that have impacted both of these ongoing issues has provided an opportunity for learning about leadership. Over the course of the last year, we have seen leaders on a global scale work to protect people from a deadly virus, providing information, communication, guidance, and examples of how to live with grace in a vastly uncertain and scary time. We have also seen individuals in positions of power demonstrate total incompetence, leaving people to fill in the gaps, sort out for themselves what is real and what is not, and at worst inspire people to do deadly things. We have seen leaders step up and call out systems of oppression and individuals who carry out socially sanctioned violence against people of color. Grassroots community leaders who are demanding better, with the urgency necessary to make transformational change in our world. Young leaders who are looking to their future and know that we will not get there without change.
This exhibition celebrates the values of people who have provided light, inspiration, and a path forward. Leaders who have stepped up where there have been voids, replacing ignorance, greed, and fear with courage, care, strength, and vision. Artists included in this exhibition created work about leaders and/or the values needed to lead. That which is necessary to move the needle forward toward communities that care for all, are just, and support liberation and freedom. And leaders who inspire others to grow and change.
The gallery is open to the public by appointment only. To schedule a visit, please email gormleygallery@ndm.edu.
Click here to view a video recording of the exhibition.
Throughout the show's run, we will be hosting a series of virtual artists' conversations and events. Please check our events page for more information. To watch recordings of previous events, click here or scroll to the bottom of this page.
This exhibition is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org)
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Virtual Tour of the Exhibition
Video walk-through of the exhibition
ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION
Recordings of virtual discussions with the artists, curator, and guests
Virtual Reception
On Saturday, January 30, the artists and curator gathered via Zoom for an open conversation about the exhibition.
Artists in Conversation: Colin Campbell, Christine Stiver, Sara Kaltwasser
On February 24, these three artists discussed their creative practice, how they balance being an artist with the rest of their responsibilities, and exhibiting during the pandemic.
Cultivating Leadership: Gina Pierleoni, Raul Rene Gonzalez, Ken Krafcheck, Sara Kaltwasser
Artists from the Looking at Leadership exhibition discuss the many ways artists cultivate leadership, including self-leadership, reciprocal leadership, collective leadership, and leadership as mirroring the creative process.
Looking at Student Leadership
Student leaders from Notre Dame of Maryland University discuss their own approaches to leadership, the values they admire in other leaders, and their vision for the future of leadership.
Artist Process Talk: Benjamin Jancewicz
Benjamin Jancewicz shares how he creates his pieces using the vector technique.
Artists in Conversation: Creating During COVID
Artists of "Looking at Leadership" joined Christy Zuccarini, founder of "Made in Isolation," for a conversation about their creative process during the pandemic, how their work has been impacted, and what their future endeavors might include.