Exhibits

Now showing: From the Rockies to the plains, a botanical print exchange

Megan Maneval — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 17:01:41 +0000

Now showing: From the Rockies to the plains, a botanical print exchange Megan Maneval Mon, 03/17/2025 - 11:01

The CU Museum of Natural History is now displaying 18 original art prints exploring the depth and breadth of the university's herbarium collections.

This project was organized by Tristen Luken, exhibitions and public programming specialist, as part of her internship at the museum. Read more from Luken in this Q&A.

Tristen Luken, exhibitions and public programming specialist for the CU Museum of Natural History

What is a print exchange?

A print exchange is when a select number of printmakers sign up to create an edition of prints around the same topic. At the end of the exchange, each artist ends up with one print from every artist involved.

What is the big idea/goal of this project?

The goal of this project was to partner with artists to showcase specimens from the museum’s herbarium collection. By showcasing artwork made from various printmaking techniques and creating an interactive exhibit, the museum can increase accessibility to its collections and build new relationships with the artists in the community.

What role did the museum’s collections play?

The collections are the highlight of this cross-disciplinary project. The purpose is to use art to showcase a scientific collection. Collections are often inaccessible to general visitors because of their delicate nature; there is so much amazing research being done with them, and I wanted to make them readily available to the public in some fashion and disseminate knowledge.

This project serves as a vehicle to show these specimens and communicate to the public the importance of collections and how they can be activated for educational purposes. It does this in a manner that is engaging artists and accessible to any visitor. 

What was your role?

I organized the exchange and the exhibition. I took charge of gathering artists, working with the collection manager, and working with museum staff to complete the installation. I also spearheaded the exhibition design and implementation. The show includes educational interactive content, a digital component, and of course the framed artwork itself. 

What was most rewarding part of this project? Why?

I think the most rewarding part of this project is simply making it all happen! Getting everyone together to be creative and work toward the same goal is extremely fulfilling. You get to see all the hard work come together. Using art as an educational tool combines some of my favorite things.

Of course, getting to see how the artists decided to showcase their specimen is always like opening gifts on Christmas!  It has been an amazing learning experience.

What do you want the audience to walk away knowing?

I hope the audience walks away with some new appreciation and knowledge for the flora and fauna of this region. I also hope they walk away inspired by seeing a collection highlighted in a unique way and gain new appreciation for this museum. 

If you go

Who: Free and open to the public
What: “Artwork From the Rockies to the Plains Print Exchange”
Where: CU Museum of Natural History (Henderson building), BioLounge

The museum will be closed March 24–27 for maintenance and Friday, March 28, for the spring break holiday (campus is closed). ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ the museum website for more information.

What are your goals for the future?

I view myself as both an artist and museum professional. Creativity is the driving force for everything I do. I plan to continue to help make museums a safe and accessible space for everyone to come explore and learn something new.

I want to continue to design engaging, unique exhibitions and programs to help inspire anyone who participates in them. I also want to continue to push myself as an artist and learn new skills I can then transfer to my museum profession. 

Advice for someone else considering this type of artistic career path?

I am still figuring this out myself. I have been lucky to have a great creative and professional support system to help me figure it out as I go. I think my best advice is to put yourself out there, ask as many questions as you need, and talk to as many people as you can. Connections are essential in this world.

Plus, people are doing so many amazing things that you probably have never heard of. I had no idea I would end up in a museum when I started my studio art degree, but I kept asking people questions about it and gave it a shot. It led me to where I am today.

If someone wanted to do something similar, what advice would you give?

If you want to design a print exchange, I recommend finding one to be a part of first. There are so many amazing exchanges the print community organizes. The print world may be vast, but it is small. Between participating in one and asking questions to those who design them, you can easily design one yourself. 

When it comes to the museum collaboration element, I think it helps to have a support network that has a similar vision as you. Organize your ideas and present them—the worst that will happen is they will say no!

The CU Museum of Natural History is displaying 18 original art prints exploring the depth and breadth of the university's herbarium collections. Read more about the exhibit and be sure to stop by.

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Gems of the American Music Research Center collections

Megan Maneval — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:43:04 +0000

Gems of the American Music Research Center collections Megan Maneval Wed, 02/12/2025 - 13:43

The AMRC collections, housed in the archives at Norlin Library, comprise the region’s largest repository of archival music materials. In this spotlight, discover Colorado’s involvement in the rock ’n’ roll era through the Dan Fong collection.

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Who taught you to love? Explore lovesickness in new libraries exhibit

Megan Maneval — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 18:53:16 +0000

Who taught you to love? Explore lovesickness in new libraries exhibit Megan Maneval Wed, 02/05/2025 - 11:53

The University Libraries are hosting a bilingual exhibit, “Mal de amor/Lovesickness,” about the social perception of lovesickness. Explore the maladies of love from medieval to contemporary times, now on display in Norlin Library.

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New exhibit is meditation on humans’ relationship to place

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 19:05:10 +0000

New exhibit is meditation on humans’ relationship to place Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 09/17/2024 - 13:05

A new exhibition in the Earth Sciences & Map Library shares the work of two local artists and a selection of maps curated by a ��ý�Ļ��Ʒ doctoral candidate exploring the meaning of “topophilia.”

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Finding ‘Better Days’ through art—an exhibit

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 20:21:03 +0000

Finding ‘Better Days’ through art—an exhibit Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 08/23/2024 - 14:21

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

A new CU Art Museum exhibit highlights how art meets challenging times and finds the sometimes-elusive silver lining. With an opening celebration on Sept. 12, the exhibit runs through Oct. 26 and then reopens in February 2025.

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Undergraduate fellows curate new exhibits for the University Libraries

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 14:21:21 +0000

Undergraduate fellows curate new exhibits for the University Libraries Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/12/2024 - 08:21

Three undergraduate fellows in the University Libraries have curated exhibits using materials from Rare and Distinctive Collections.

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Don’t judge a book by its spine: Preservation exhibit shows methods of book repairs

Anonymous — Thu, 23 May 2024 16:39:19 +0000

Don’t judge a book by its spine: Preservation exhibit shows methods of book repairs Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/23/2024 - 10:39

The “Treating Damaged Book Spines” exhibit will run through the summer in Norlin M350B and demonstrate a step-by-step process for mending spines.

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Patriarchosis exhibit at CU Art Museum features materials from Ann Roy papers

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 20:15:02 +0000

Patriarchosis exhibit at CU Art Museum features materials from Ann Roy papers Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/18/2024 - 14:15

The Ann Roy papers are held in the University Libraries Rare and Distinctive Collections and contain the work of Tulsa-born poet, mystic and political activist Ann Roy.

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‘Empty Space’: LASP exhibition at Boulder library through March 31

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 17:58:57 +0000

‘Empty Space’: LASP exhibition at Boulder library through March 31 Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 02/16/2024 - 10:58

Find yourself in the cosmos, transported by art created in conversation with scientists and engineers at LASP and with the help of local school groups. Join special programs Feb. 24 and March 9.

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Artists celebrate Black womanhood, presence and connectedness

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 17:18:46 +0000

Artists celebrate Black womanhood, presence and connectedness Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 02/09/2024 - 10:18

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

New exhibition at the CU Art Museum through July 13 was created by socially engaged artists-in-residence to honor Black girls and women.

A new exhibition at the CU Art Museum through July 13 was created by socially engaged artists-in-residence to honor Black girls and women.

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Exhibits

Now showing: From the Rockies to the plains, a botanical print exchange

What is a print exchange?

What is the big idea/goal of this project?

What role did the museum’s collections play?

What was your role?

What was most rewarding part of this project? Why?

What do you want the audience to walk away knowing?

What are your goals for the future?

Advice for someone else considering this type of artistic career path?

If someone wanted to do something similar, what advice would you give?

Related Articles

Gems of the American Music Research Center collections

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Who taught you to love? Explore lovesickness in new libraries exhibit

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New exhibit is meditation on humans’ relationship to place

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Undergraduate fellows curate new exhibits for the University Libraries

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Don’t judge a book by its spine: Preservation exhibit shows methods of book repairs

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Patriarchosis exhibit at CU Art Museum features materials from Ann Roy papers

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‘Empty Space’: LASP exhibition at Boulder library through March 31

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Artists celebrate Black womanhood, presence and connectedness

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