In celebration of 112 years of Arizona statehood, The Museum of Arizona Artists (MOAZA) unveiled its first physical exhibition; Through the Eyes of the Beholders: Two Families Collect Arizona Art, celebrating the importance of the role played by the collectors of art as well as the creators of art.
The show features work from the collections of two Arizona families. These are Eric and Eva Jungermann, Phoenix; and Jerry Barber and Betty Barber-Hughes and their daughter, Jerre Lynn Vanier of Paradise Valley, and Scottsdale.
The exhibition, open March 9ththrough June 14th, 2024, at the Arizona Capitol Museum, explores the diverse perspectives of those who engage with art, including the public, art collectors, curators, and the artists themselves. The exhibition provides a space to establish communication between the viewers and the artwork, delving into concepts of place and memory, aesthetic explorations, contemporary challenges, and ideas about the historical and mythological West.
Featuring the work of 34 Arizona artists from across the state, including Maricopa, Pinal, Yavapai, Coconino, Navajo, Gila, and Pima counties, the exhibition includes a mix of emerging talents and esteemed figures such as James Turrell, Fritz Scholder, Anne Coe, Steven J. Yazzie, Ed Mell, Merrill Mahaffey, Ellen Wagener, and Beth Ames-Swartz.
“Through the Eyes of the Beholders,” is curated by Karen L. Churchill. Churchill returned to her native Arizona after working at the Cleveland Museum of Art. While there, she did her doctoral studies in Art History and Museum Studies at Case Western Reserve University, where she held a Mellon Fellowship. Currently, she resides in Prescott, AZ and teaches Art History at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “Before moving to Ohio some thirty years ago,” Churchill stated, “I was honored to curate an exhibition of Arizona artists at the invitation of then Secretary of State Richard Mahoney and the International Friends of Transformative Art at the Arizona State Capitol. How special it is to now be working with MOAZA—the museum created by so many of the wonderful artists and collectors that I worked with before. The circle completes itself.”
The opening reception March 15, 2024, was held in the Historic Senate Chambers of the Arizona Capitol Museum. Jacky Alling, Interim Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts represented Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. She presented the Museum of Arizona Artists, (MOAZA) with a Proclamation acknowledging the tremendous contributions that Arizona artists have made to our state.
Karen L. Churchill, Curator of the exhibition, addresses the audience at the reception for Through the Eyes of the Beholders: Two Families Collect Arizona Art, held in the Historic Senate Chambers of the Arizona Capitol Museum, March 15, 2024.
Dean Scheinert, acting COB of MOAZA, welcoming Jacky Alling, Interim Director of AZ Commission on the Arts to the podium.
Jacky Alling, Interim Director AZ Commission on the Arts and MOAZA member, Joseph Benesh, past Executive Director of Arizona Citizens for the Arts, member of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, the Hance Park Conservancy and the City of Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission.
Dean Scheinert, acting COB of MOAZA with Jacky Alling, Interim Director of AZ Commission on the Arts, Joel Coplin, President of MOAZA, Jerre Lynn Vanier, Vice-President of MOAZA and William Jungermann, past COB of MOAZA. Jacky Alling is presenting MOAZA with Governor Hobbs Proclamation declaring March 15th, in honor of our state’s 112th anniversary of Statehood Arizona Artists, Past and Present Appreciation Day in recognition of the immense contribution of artists to Arizona, celebrating its beauty and unique environment.
Dawn Nehls, artist, art collector, and major supporter of Museum of Arizona Artists. Dawn made the exhibition of Through the Eyes of the Beholders: Two Families Collect Arizona Art possible through her generous donation.
Art Collectors, William Jungermann and Jerre Lynn Vanier viewing the exhibition they made possible through the generous loan of their families’ collections.
William Jungermann, viewing his family’s artwork, a work especially commissioned in honor of his father, Eric Jungermann, entitled The Liberation of Glycerin by Annie Lopez.
Left to right: Publicist Lauren Rosenberg, Gallerist Terri Rundle of SOCA Gallery, Scottsdale, art collector and past COB of MOAZA, William Jungermann, Artist Charmagne Vasquez, Gallerist and Vice-President of MOAZA Jerre Lynn Vanier, and friend of the arts, Robert Goodpasture.
Karen Churchill, Curator, Michelle Jimenez, art collector with Tim Hannan, artist, Jenny Gummersall, and Shawn King, Director of Production, The Phoenix Symphony.
Publicist Lauren Rosenberg with artist Jenny Gummersall.
Center: Reception Committee Co-Chair, Andrea Paris, flanked by Walter Stone, and Marlene Anthony.
Many thanks to our volunteers: Linda Brett, and Marlene Katz.
