We’ve asked FWMoA staff the hardest question you can ask art museum people: so, what is your favorite artwork currently on display? As “art museum people”, we often get asked about our favorite artists, artworks, and the art we choose to hang on our own walls. Since not all of our staff are front-end, and not all of them write for the blog, this series gives everyone a chance to get to know them, too. Taking advantage of our rotating exhibitions of artworks, from painted portraits to sculpted bronzes, FWMoA staff from all departments are choosing artworks that enthrall and enchant them; or, in other words, playing favorites.
Meet Amy Hanna, FWMoA’s new Chief Development Officer! The founder of the local non-profit RespectTeam, Amy joined FWMoA following her position as Regional Director of Northeast Indiana Youth for Christ. Amy holds a Certificate of Fundraising Management and is currently in Indiana Wesleyan’s Master’s program for Organizational Leadership. She’s spent her first few weeks getting to know the staff and, more importantly, the art! Here’s her current favorite, now on view in Pat Perry’s solo exhibition Especially Terrific:
Q: What is the first thing you noticed about this artwork? What drew you to this particular piece?
A: My grand-daddy was a railroad conductor. He used to tell us stories about things that would happen on the tracks, dangerous trips, and his love for trains. He had a way of making the railroad seem magical. One of my favorite memories as a child was when he would tell a story about his railroad adventures and then blow his wooden train whistle, which made his story much more realistic. When I saw this piece, I immediately thought of him. Pat Perry’s way of blending realism and nostalgia makes his work one of my favorite exhibitions in the museum.
Q: Would you hang this artwork in your home? Why or why not?
A: Yes, I would love to have this piece in my home to remind me of my grand-daddy.
Q: What does this artwork mean to you?
A: As mentioned above, it’s a piece of my grand-daddy that I get to escape back to and live in for another moment. That’s the wonderful thing about art: It allows you to experience the past, present, and future.
The title, Ameliorator, means to make better, help, or improve [ameliorate]. When I saw this piece in the exhibition, I was going through a hard moment in my life and feeling lost in what direction I needed to go. Seeing this piece grounded me and brought me back to a time when things were simple. It allowed me to instantly feel better and pushed me out of my chaotic life…even if it was for just a moment.
Q: Why did you choose to work in an art museum?
A: I do not call myself an artist, but instead a lover and appreciator of art. I love creative expressions and am always looking for ways to let my creativity come out. Being able to work in art museum is more than the art. It is about what art does for people…both the artists and the appreciators. Working in an art museum is something that I didn’t know that I needed until it found me.
Q: What has been your favorite exhibition at FWMoA during your employment? What exhibition are you most looking forward to in the next year or two?
A: Besides the Pat Perry exhibition, I also love Sam Gilliam. I am obsessed with the color, textures, and emotions of abstract art. Sam’s exhibition brings all of those elements together. I will be sad to see it go.
Q: What kind of art (if any) do you have in your home?
A: I collect art from local artists. I currently have several pieces from local artists in my office and some in my home. I am, however, looking forward to adding more! I am excited to get my first Wesleigh Byrd, a California-based artist who is originally from Fort Wayne, which will be coming soon.
Check out Pat Perry’s exhibit, Especially Terrific, on view at FWMoA through October 13, 2024.
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