August 31 – November 10, 2013
Mission: The South Bend Museum of Art affirms the enduring power of the visual arts to reflect and create community, engage minds and nurture growth through exhibitions, collections and educational programs.
SBMA has embraced this mission since its founding in 1947. In the past year over 7,000 people have engaged with the SBMA through classes, outreach and public programs. This is more than a number to us. It represents families, friends, art lovers, new students, aspiring artists, and first time visitors to an art gallery. As the community’s museum, our programming is designed to create an experience for everyone.
Stories from SBMA, appropriately installed in the Jerome J. Crowley Community Gallery, offers a unique look into our educational programs. We asked the question, “Why do you think art matters?” to program participants throughout the summer and received answers that were deeply personal and articulate. Several are displayed on the gallery walls, along with images depicting programming activities, past and present: mural painting, garden projects, school tours and hands-on activities, outreach programs, family days and more. A wave of 7,000 linked paper chains suspended from the gallery ceiling represent the individuals served in the past year, each link representing a person that has strengthened our art community. Visitors are invited to add their answer to the question on a chalk-board wall.
This exhibition was designed by SBMA’s Education staff but most importantly, envisioned by Education Coordinator Candie Waterloo, who through her work here knows first hand Why Art Matters.
