Museums provide engaging exhibitions and programs that explore different themes and issues relevant to current world experiences. SUNY Buffalo State graduate students in museum studies co-curated Reactions to research and interpret works in the museum’s collection that address contemporary issues such as our environment, identity, world cultures, conflict, and other socio-political topics.

For twelve years, Nancy Weekly, the Burchfield Penney Instructor of Museum Studies, who also serves as the Center’s Burchfield Scholar, Head of Collections, and Charles Cary Rumsey Curator, has provided an opportunity for graduate students in museum studies to work as a team to curate and install a collection-based exhibition.

Reactions is the result of the work done by Shayna Diamond, Alexandra Dwyer, and Julia Hamilton, who selected artworks that sparked their curiosity. They conducted research to investigate different ways to interpret the art for adults and kids, wrote interpretive labels, and participated in the installation. The inspirational artworks are by Harvey Breverman, Tricia Butski, Millie Chen, Patrick Foran, Pam Glick, Evan Hawkins, Adele Henderson, McCallum Tarry, Jennifer Regan, Alison Slein, and Lee Somers.

Shayna, Alexandra, and Julia wrote their reactions to the artworks as interpretive labels which will be added to the artworks’ historic record. We invite you to share your reactions online at www.twitter.com/BPArtCenter, www.facebook.com/BurchfieldPenney, and www.instagram.com/bpartcenter.