We may think of archives as passive repositories but the projects in this exhibition explore how archives can rewrite history, activating counter-narratives. The projects range from artist books from the Women’s Studio Workshop; materials documenting Wheaton’s history from the Gebbie Archives and Special Collections; Tirazain, a digital archive of Palestinian tatreez embroidery designs; the Rhode Island-based Binch Press/Queer.Archive.Work’s Community Supported Art (CSA) project, and the nonprofit Internet Archive. These varied examples show how archives celebrate non-dominant and non-linear stories and show us that history is not static.

Hours

1–5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday + Saturday
1–8 p.m. Thursday
The galleries are closed Sunday, Monday and during college breaks.

Location

The Beard and Weil Galleries are located on the second floor of the Watson Fine Arts building on Wheaton’s campus. The closest parking area is directly across E. Main Street in Parking Lot 2 where there is free visitor parking.

About the Galleries

Through direct engagement with art, the Beard and Weil Galleries aim to foster a greater understanding of our shared world.

The Beard and Weil Galleries are a generative space for art and visual culture that develop knowledge and understanding across disciplines through public exhibitions and programs. The galleries are a hub of innovative research, creativity, and experiential learning that involves and engages the entire Wheaton community as well as the visiting public.

The Beard and Weil Galleries are a vital part of Wheaton’s creative and intellectual life. Our dynamic programming features work by contemporary artists and innovative exhibitions drawn from Wheaton’s Permanent Collections and the Gebbie Archives.

The Galleries’ educational mission encompasses all forms of creative expression in an effort to forge meaningful connections between objects and their histories, student and faculty creative work, art historical research, and critical thinking. The crucial role the visual arts play in a liberal arts education is central to the design and focus of our exhibitions.

Student-curated exhibitions are designed to give hands-on experience in the conception, design, and educational interpretation of exhibitions. Student creative work is featured annually in a Senior Visual Art and Design Majors’ exhibition.

Our exhibitions have been accompanied by a rich series of publications, written and designed by Wheaton students, staff, and faculty.

For more information

Elizabeth Hoy, Director, Beard and Weil Galleries
508-286-3364; [email protected]

Jessica F. Kuszaj, Associate Director, Arts Events and Publicity
508-286-3644; [email protected]

Arts information line: 508-286-3300
[email protected]