Author: Theresa Mott

The Ulrich Museum of Art’s Vivian Zavataro, executive and creative director, and Jo Reinert, curator of modern and contemporary art, discuss curating the fall 2025 exhibitions, from conception to execution, including their experiences working with featured artists Abhidnya Ghuge and Justin Favela.

Refreshments will be served at 10 a.m. with the program following at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20 in the Dr. Sam and Jacque Kouri Collection Study Center at the Ulrich Museum. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

Come cool off during Summer Studio Saturday for free guided art-making from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 in the Ulrich Museum’s UCreate maker’s space. Participate in a wide variety of projects, including activities that will be installed in the Amsden Gallery through the fall season. Don’t miss out on this chance to beat the heat and enjoy some creative time.

Born in Las Vegas, Justin Favela is renowned for his large-scale installations in cartonería, the traditional Mexican art of piñata making. Favela celebrates his heritage and identity while reflecting on themes of Latinidad, cultural appropriation and art history. By reflecting on the intersections of tradition and contemporary culture, Favela challenges the ways Latine identity is represented, commodified and misunderstood in North American cultural spaces, inviting the viewers to reconsider notions of authenticity, value and artistic ownership.

Favela’s installations create immersive spaces that playfully dismantle institutional hierarchies, making his work just as subversive as it is accessible and fun. Favela will give an artist talk associated with a new site-specific installation at the Ulrich, opening Aug. 4. This free event starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 31 in 210 McKnight Art Center. Everyone is welcome.

Multidisciplinary artist Abhidnya Ghuge is known for her immersive site-responsive installations made of thousands of rolled woodblock prints. Her practice engages with themes of belonging and community and is inspired by the ephemeral nature of the human experience. These ideas are quite literally reflected in her means of creating through hands-on community collaboration, wherein different perspectives and patterns naturally emerge and enrich the piece.

In connection with the site-specific installation she has been installing in the Polk/Wilson Gallery at the Ulrich Museum, Ghuge will share her unique practice, her story, and her inspirations. This free event starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 in 210 McKnight Art Center. Everyone is welcome.

The Ulrich Museum of Art invites you to be part of multidisciplinary contemporary artist Abhidnya Ghuge’s monumental site-responsive art work, which will be on view in the museum’s Polk/Wilson Gallery, July 22 through Dec. 6.

Drop by the Ulrich any time between 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, July 11 and work alongside Ghuge to help bring this project to life. By participating, you will be contributing directly to a dynamic work of art and an experience that fosters community connection. This event is free and everyone is welcome. No preregistration is required.

Ghuge’s work explores themes of community, belonging, identity, and transformation. Known for her intricate and expansive installations, Ghuge’s piece at the Ulrich will be made from over 14,000 woodblock-printed paper plates rolled and placed into a metal infrastructure. As an artist who enjoys the shared experience of creation, Ghuge encourages others join her in the rolling and placing of her woodblock prints. This communal hands-on process reflects the spirit of Ghuge’s work: collaborative, meaningful, and rooted in shared experience.

Dive into the artistic process and explore the exciting world of printmaking at this free event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at the Ulrich Museum of Art.

This fun-filled afternoon is perfect for all ages — whether you are a seasoned artist or trying something new. Attendees will use vegetables from the summer garden to create their own one-of-a-kind print and try other printing techniques as well. Bring your creativity and leave with your own masterpiece. Treat yourself to delicious food from a food truck right outside the museum doors. Everyone is welcome.

Agnes Corrigan, Kyle Hall, Alexander Hurla and Jaryd Porter, 2025 WSU creative writing graduates, will give readings of their work at the Writing Now | Reading Now event at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17 in the Polk/Wilson Gallery in the Ulrich Museum of Art. A reception starts at 2 p.m. and everyone is welcome.

Writing Now | Reading Now is presented by Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Department of English, Ulrich Museum of Art and Watermark Books and Cafe.

The Ulrich Museum invites you to mingle with fellow art enthusiasts at Kirby’s before embarking on a journey across the street to the museum for a guided exhibition tour at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1. After the tour we will return to Kirby’s to debrief and hang out.

Participants are encouraged to arrive at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy a drink and dinner. Kirby’s offers LMNO pizza. Too early to eat? The food will all be there when you get back from your museum tour, so feel free to wait until then, Kirby’s offers a full bar but will also offer an exclusive drink special for participants of this event: 16 oz. Boulevard Wheat for $5, as well as non-alcohol options.

The event is 21+ only. There is no charge to meet and take the tour.

Celebrate the conclusion of “The Hidden Side of EMS” pop-up exhibition with an afternoon of art, appreciation and community from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 25 in the lobby of the Ulrich Museum of Art.

View the compelling photographs of EMS workers in action one last time and meet the collaborators who brought this project to life. Don’t miss the chance to tour an EMS truck parked in front of the Ulrich for this special occasion. This finale to a powerful exploration of the unsung heroes in the community is free and open to all.

Established in 1974, the Ulrich Museum of Art has been celebrating 50 years of expanding human experience through encounters with the art of the time since January 2024 with special exhibitions, programs and parties. Now comes the big event, the Ulrich50 Gala.

The Gala takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 9 at Henry’s Place rooftop venue inside NICHE, 124 S. Broadway. The event includes valet parking, an upscale art auction, wine and whiskey pulls, appetizer stations and libations, and a performance by New York-based hammered dulcimer virtuoso Max ZT. The “U50” book — featuring memories and stories from the museum’s first half-century, and photos of works from the Ulrich permanent collection and Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection — will debut and be available to order.

Tickets are $100 and a limited number are available.