SUMA Observations & Conversations

Join us for a conversation between Emily Ronquillo, Director of Marketing & Design, and artist Bianca Velasquez, as they discuss Bianca’s new exhibition at SUMA, “You’re The Best!” They get into its journey, from pieces saved from an old trophy shop to a full-fledged exhibition, and how the title of the show recognizes that the real reward isn’t the trophy itself but the enjoyment of the effor...

In this episode, Emily Ronquillo, Director of Marketing & Design, and Jessica Kinsey, Executive Director, discuss how museums can utilize design sprints and strategic planning, something SUMA has recently undergone. This is a special episode that covers a look back on Jessica’s time as Executive Director, as well as the benefits of strategic planning and Design Sprints.  We hope you enjoy this...

In this episode, Emily Ronquillo, Director of Marketing & Design, and Jason Moodie, Director of Learning & Visitor Experience, sit down with three SUU faculty members from different areas of the university to talk about how they engage with the museum in their courses. Kevin Koontz from Outdoor Recreation and Parks and Tourism tells us about how his classes visit SUMA to learn more about m...

For today’s episode, please welcome our very own Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts, Michael Schmidt. He and our Executive Director, Jessica Kinsey, sat down together to discuss the importance of campus museums. They talked about how these museums are a valuable resource for students, faculty, and the community and how they provide great opportunities for learning and starting conve...

Immerse yourself in our exhibition, Salt Lines: Exploring Climate, Environment, and the Saline Influx with commentary from our Director of Curatorial Affairs, Dr. Becky Bloom, and two of the participating artists, Himali Singh Soin and David Soin Tappeser. They discuss their artwork as they walk through the gallery, providing insight into each piece's process, inspiration, and intentions.  If you’...

Welcome to a new episode!  This time we have guest Alexandra Fuller here to discuss SUMA’s new exhibition, Salt Lines: Exploring Climate, Environment, and the Saline Influx. Alex is a Utah-based artist working primarily in photography, installation, and poetry, and is one of the artists in the Salt Lines exhibition.  We chat about the exhibition, making it as an artist, the importance of salt, and...

Wash your brain with the ambient noise of Harry Bertoia’s sound sculptures in this special episode. Bertoia was a renowned modern artist and designer, perhaps most well known for his 1950s suite of wire furniture. He spent his 40-year career experimenting with various materials and techniques, including decades working with metal in particular. During this time, Bertoia came to realize its great p...

Join us for a conversation with our Director of Curatorial Affairs, Becky Bloom, and Kelvin Yazzie, a ceramic artist and SUU alumnus. They dive into Kelvin’s origin story, beginning with his childhood on the Navajo Reservation in Church Rock, New Mexico, where he herded sheep, caught things on fire, and played with mud. As his story takes shape, Kelvin discusses how he finds fulfillment in the art...

This episode gives a behind the scenes look at the work it takes to produce our podcast, Observations & Conversations . For this episode, we sat down with Lisa Hardy, our student producer since August 2023. Lisa provides insight into her approach to tell stories through podcasting. We also talk about the unexpected moment we learned SUMA was selected to present at the virtual MuseumNext Digita...

In this episode, we sit down with SUMA’s Executive Director, Jessica Kinsey, to discuss an important part of our permanent collection, The Stillman Sculpture Court. We chatted about the changes that have taken place since the opening of SUMA and The Beverley Center in 2016, including new sculpture additions and updates to the overall design and landscaping. These changes have created a place of ex...

In this episode, we sit down with SUMA’s Graphic Designers, DJ Wilson and Emily Loertscher. Our discussion focuses on how our team plays a big role in creating work for SUMA that you see in our exhibitions, events, promotions, and more. You will hear about what our students are learning in the classroom at Southern Utah University, and how they apply it to the work they do at the museum.  Our hope...

Making a museum accessible has become a popular topic of discussion throughout museums worldwide. In this episode, we share the varied accessibility efforts being made at SUMA. Our very own Alyssa Thomas, SUMA’s Coordinator of Visitor Experience, has done great work making our space more welcoming and inclusive for all visitors. Alyssa shares the importance of continuous advocacy for the Americans...

Learn more about the exhibition, L. Robert Gardner Architect: Cedar City Mid-Century Modern, by listening to this audio guide by curator, Dr. Becky Bloom.   L. Robert Gardner Architect: Cedar City Mid-Century Modern is on exhibition at Southern Utah Museum of Art through March 2, 2024. Audio Guide –     Introduction - 00:00.00 - 00:49.146 L. Robert Gardner, Architect -  00:50.056 -  02:53.506 A Mo...

Follow along with SUMA’s Director of Curatorial Affairs, Dr. Becky Bloom, as she guides visitors through the exhibition BRUTAL DC , guest curated by Dr. Angela Person and photographer Ty Cole.   BRUTAL DC is on exhibition at Southern Utah Museum of Art through March 2, 2023.      Audio Guide –     Welcome and Introduction - 00:00.00 - 00:55.127 What is Brutalism? -  0:55.799 -  03:25.007   Explore...

Why would we want to discuss brutalism and mid-century modern architecture with an architect and two engineers? Because we believe in learning about approaching art and design from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. Brutalism seemed like a perfect fit for us to bring in experts and find where connections could be found and also how we see art differently. Our hope is that listeners will be...

Southern Utah University Art History student Becca Hughes joins Dr. Becky Bloom and Emily Ronquillo to discuss her undergraduate internship in which she created an online exhibition of prints in SUMA’s collection. During her research, Becca was surprised to find some of the prints were frauds while others had authenticated provenance. Becca also discovered some artists who made it problematic for...

Southern Utah Museum of Art Director of Curatorial Affairs, Dr. Becky Bloom, sat down to talk with special guest artist, Aïsha Lehmann. Their conversation included talking about Aïsha's style of art, inspirations, sociological connections, the current educational path she has chosen, and finally advice to rising artists. Aïsha’s work, ‘Imprint’ is featured in the summer exhibition A Dream Defe...

Description Learn more about the exhibition A Dream Deferred: New Perspectives on Black Experience in this audio guide read by curator Dr. Becky Bloom.   A Dream Deferred: New Perspectives on Black Experience in the Work of Aïsha Lehmann and Vital Shell is on exhibition at Southern Utah Museum of Art through September 23rd, 2023. Audio Guide –     Introduction and Background Information - 00:00.00...

Description Learn more about the exhibition Lennart Anderson: A Retrospective in this audio guide read by guest curator Randall Cabe. Lennart Anderson: A Retrospective is on exhibition at Southern Utah Museum of Art through September 23rd, 2023.   Audio Guide –      Welcome and Background Information - 00:00.00 - 01:36.708 Introduction -  01:38.748 -  05:15.314 Still Life -  05:16.111 - 06:34.368...

Más información sobre la exposición,‘¿!¿Tomaste nuestra realidad y la convertiste en un juego¿!¿’ en esta audioguía ofrecida en español. ¿!¿Tomaste nuestra realidad y la convertiste en un juego¿!¿ están en exhibición en el Museo de Arte del Sur de Utah hasta el 23 de septiembre de 2023. Introducción – 0:00.00 – 00:46.551 ¿!¿Tomaste nuestra realidad y la convertiste en un juego¿!¿ 00:49.718 -  2:40...

Learn more about the exhibition YOU MADE OUR REALITY INTO A GAME?!?! Pixels, Politics, and Play with Rafael Fajardo in this audio guide offered in English.    YOU MADE OUR REALITY INTO A GAME?!?! Pixels, Politics, and Play with Rafael Fajardo is on exhibition at Southern Utah Museum of Art through September 23rd, 2023. Introduction -  0:00.00 - 0:32.806 “You have taken our reality and made it into...

Southern Utah Museum of Art Manager of Marketing and Communications, Emily Ronquillo and Dr. Becky Bloom, SUMA’s Assistant Director of Curatorial Affairs, sit down and to talk with special guest and artist, Vitus Shell. We talk with Vitus Shell about his education, style of art, inspirations, advice to rising artists, and some artworks that are featured in the summer exhibition A Dream Deferred: N...

Southern Utah Museum of Art Manager of Marketing and Communications, Emily Ronquillo, sits down with Dr. Becky Bloom, Assistant Director of Curatorial Affairs at SUMA, and museum associate and previous intern, Courtney Blue, to talk about the second online exhibition Courtney was able to curate, Souvenirs of the Floating World: Japanese Woodblock Prints . Listen to learn about the history and proc...

Southern Utah Museum of Art Manager of Marketing and Communications, Emily Ronquillo, sits down with Dr. Becky Bloom, Assistant Director of Curatorial Affairs at SUMA, and museum associate and previous intern, Courtney Blue, to talk about the online exhibition, Psychedelia: The Art of the Fillmore West that Courtney was able to curate during her internship at SUMA. We discuss various attributes of...

This is a three-part episode where Southern Utah Museum of Art Manager of Marketing and Communications, Emily Ronquillo, meets with Dr. Becky Bloom, Assistant Director of Curatorial Affairs at SUMA, and museum associate, Courtney Blue. In this episode, we discuss how to get involved with SUMA internships and the projects of curating a digital collection that Courtney was able to complete during he...