WCU Fine Art Museum turns 20
WCU photo
In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Fine Art Museum within the Bardo Arts Center is hosting an exhibition of artwork highlighting the long history of art collecting at the museum at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.
Step into a visual timeline celebrating the anniversary of the museum, featuring a dynamic exhibition showcasing decades of WCU’s dedication to collecting and curating contemporary art.
This special anniversary exhibition honors the museum’s roots in the Belk and Chelsea galleries, highlighting key moments from its early focus on studio glass and women artists to its evolving commitment to contemporary Native American voices.
Visitors will encounter artwork from each chapter of the museum’s history, reflecting the people, places and priorities that shaped its collection. The exhibition also commemorates the museum’s national accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums — an honor held by only a select 3% of U.S. museums.
The museum’s collection of over 2,100 works of contemporary art by artists of the Americas continues to grow each year. This collection supports the museum’s dynamic exhibition program, enhances student learning through object-based experiences and provides a catalyst for interdisciplinary dialogue across the campus community and the Western North Carolina region.
The exhibition will be available for viewing through July 2, with a special reception from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. Complimentary light appetizers and beverages will be served, and free parking is available after 5 p.m. at the Bardo Arts Center. For more information, visit arts.wcu.edu/20-anniversary.
To see BAC’s full calendar of events, visit arts.wcu.edu/explore or call 828.227.ARTS. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.
