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 Miranda Dyson, FWMoA’s new School Programs Coordinator! Joining family in Fort Wayne after living in Cincinnati, Miranda began her career in public education as a Museum Experience Specialist before transitioning to become a Montessori elementary art teacher. To prepare her for guided school tours, we sent her for a walk in the galleries. Her current favorite: a print by Sayaka Ganz, on display in the group show Diverse Directions: Rethinking the Landscape.
Q: What is the first thing you noticed about this artwork? What drew you to this particular piece?
A: I was drawn first to the depth in this piece. The deep blue pulled me into the center of the school, and I felt invited to take time with the repeated shapes of the fish. It looks the way meditation feels to me, making intentional space for thoughtfulness.
Q: Would you hang this artwork in your home? Why or why not?
A: Absolutely! I love representations of nature and organic images that show movement. I think this print has an interesting balance of being calm and energizing.
Q: What does this artwork mean to you?
A: It made me think of my favorite nature documentaries that give access to environments normally out of reach. I love when artists can do that for their viewers: take them somewhere they might not go on their own. This work felt like an opportunity to pause with the artist, and that was special.
Q: Why did you choose to work in an art museum?
A: I love spaces of public education. With a background in Fine Arts, Museum Guest Experience, and teaching art, working in an art museum is all of my favorite things coming together! It excites me to see new art coming into the museum and share that with others.
Check out Diverse Directions to see Miranda’s favorite artwork before it closes on December 8th! Want more Sayaka Ganz? Find her jellyfish lights in the Learning Center and jewelry in the Paradigm Gallery.