Friends of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art are sharing their cherished stories with us! These Museum Memories come from community members recalling experiences at the FWMoA that made a positive impact. From inspiring exhibits to meaningful events, these moments remind us of our own transformative museum experiences. Today we hear from Jae McGee and her experiences with FWMoA.
Do you remember your first experience at the museum? If so, what do you remember most?
JM: I don’t vividly remember my exact first visit to the museum. I love downtown Fort Wayne, so I imagine it was an afternoon after lunch, and I was naturally drawn inside. I do vividly remember my first gala. The room had great energy and fun conversations. I met so many interesting people, wandered through amazing auction items and I almost won a TV! The Scholastic Art Awards where on view and seeing the work of so many young local artists added the perfect community touch to the evening. It was, for me, the perfect introduction to the museum and the spirit of the Fort Wayne art community!
What was your experience with art museums like before becoming involved at the FWMoA?
Before moving to Fort Wayne, I wasn’t visiting museums multiple times a year. I would usually only go if there was a particular exhibit that captured my eye or felt culturally significant enough to make a point to visit. In Fort Wayne, I visit probably once a quarter and I’m never disappointed. I recommend going during a tour/talk because our staff and guest speakers provide interesting facts and perspective!!
What motivated your involvement in the FWMoA community?
My involvement with the FWMoA community is motivated by my desire to be part of a space that elevates artists while expanding access and relevance. I think the museum does a great job of presenting art that intrigues our community. FWMoA has a great collection of classic paintings but more importantly the museum has something for everyone, every year. One time I was chatting with someone about art and they said, “Can you believe the museum has an exhibit of purses?”. Moments like those motivate my involvement. The museum staff does an excellent job of putting together exhibits and experiences that really resonate with Fort Wayne and I think that’s cool.
Who do you remember having the biggest impact on your appreciation for art museums? How have they inspired your involvement with museums?
Looking back now, I realize how lucky I was to be exposed to art and museums through my high school. We visited Rothko Chapel long before I had an appreciation for Rothko, or even abstract expressionism. We spent six weeks in Europe exploring museums, cathedrals, architecture, and learning about how art shaped the history of different cities.
As I got older, I became increasingly drawn to installations and experiential work. A few years before moving to Indiana, I visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and saw The Houston Penetrable installation by Jesús Rafael Soto, and I stopped seeing art as something exclusively confined to a canvas.
What exhibits, collections, or works of art have you seen at the museum that have stood out and impacted you especially?
There are a few exhibits that stand out to me! A Sense of Place: Abstract Art in Northern Indiana resonated with me because it felt deeply connected to the region with beautiful contemporary abstract visuals. I also loved Indiana Waterways: The Art of Conservation. Indiana has great nature preserves, and it was wonderful to have art encouraging environmental awareness and exploring a nearby sense of wonder. I loved Sam Gilliam: His Art of Printmaking; I’m always excited when artists apply abstraction to different mediums. I feel like we all loved Ghost Army. The Curator’s tour for all of these are on the FWMoA YouTube Channel.
How do you see the FWMoA benefitting the local community? In what ways do you hope your involvement with the museum will impact the museum’s community reach?
I think the FWMoA benefits the local community by making art accessible, social and connected to our regional vibe. The museum also generally shows an appreciation of local talent and Midwest culture. Taking pride in your community strengthens it; It inspires people to engage more, explore and learn. My hope is that my involvement will expand the museum’s community reach into different mediums like fashion. My first fashion collection was shown at a fashion show at the museum! I hope other mediums that aren’t traditionally in museums will find their space in the FWMoA.
What role do you see FWMoA playing in advancing the arts, whether in our city, our region, or nationally?
I see Fort Wayne Museum of Art playing an increasingly important role as a regional leader that helps position the Midwest as a serious and evolving center for art and cultural dialogue. The museum can elevate regional artists and draw attention to national artists who aren’t as widely recognized as the artists who mentored and inspired them. The museum also can strengthen interdisciplinary connections between visual art, fashion, design, architecture, and technology, which reflects the direction many contemporary cultural institutions are moving toward nationally.
To see the inspiring art of FWMoA in person, plan your next visit!