Director's Welcome

A Space for Wonder and a Place for You

My first introduction to museum work came as an undergraduate student—an experience that remains foundational to my journey today. As a young printmaking major, I volunteered as a docent at my university’s art museum and quickly found myself captivated not only by the act of making, but also by the opportunity to share the stories behind the art. I discovered that I was just as drawn to talking about art as I was to creating it. That dual passion for artistic creation and for the narratives that artworks carry has stayed with me throughout my 25+ years of working in museums, and continues to inform my approach as Director and Chief Curator. 

At its core, my philosophy about museums is rooted in the idea of connection. Museums are not static repositories. They are living, breathing spaces that invite discovery, introspection, and dialogue. My guiding goal has always been simple: to create a space where museum visitors—whether first-timers or seasoned art enthusiasts—can see a part of themselves reflected in a work of art or through an artist’s lived experience. I truly believe this is one of the most meaningful ways to ensure our guests leave feeling enriched—and perhaps inspired to pass that feeling along to others.

What began sixty years ago with a modest gift of just over 100 prints and drawings has since grown into an encyclopedic teaching collection of more than 5,000 works of art and cultural heritage objects, spanning from antiquity to the present day. Each object in our care invites inquiry and reflection. What is it? When was it made? Why was it made? Who made it—and for what purpose? Most importantly, what does it mean to us today? These questions lie at the heart of our mission as a university art museum, where learning through art is a lifelong pursuit.

It is an honor to walk through the Art Gallery’s threshold each day to serve the campus community and help steward this phenomenal and cherished collection. I remain deeply committed to ensuring its vitality for generations to come.

Taras W. Matla