The biggest perk of working at an art museum is getting behind-the-scenes access to its permanent collection. At the Ulrich, that means getting to work closely with a 6,700-piece collection that includes artworks by some of the world’s most celebrated artists. This staff curated exhibition, Deep Dive: Selections from the Permanent Collection, is our way of sharing that access with the public by shining a spotlight on some of our most popular artworks alongside some of our lesser known—though equally brilliant—pieces. People not as familiar with the inner workings of an art museum might not realize the daily efforts that go into acquiring, storing, preserving, and displaying these pieces. As staff members, we have the unique fortune of being intimately familiar with these works, even the ones that have never been displayed to the public. This exhibition features selections from the permanent collection that speak to us as individuals. Much like our staff, the choices are eclectic, representing a broad range of perspectives within modern and contemporary art, from the vivid photorealism of Audrey Flack to the sublime abstraction of Robert Motherwell to newly acquired pieces like Mark Dion’s The Bestiary of Museum Visitors. This seemingly disparate grouping is not only meant to reflect our diverse tastes, it also should give you a good sense of just how vast and varied the Ulrich’s permanent collection truly is. With the recent opening of our Dr. Sam and Jacque Kouri Collection Study Center, the public can now request to see artworks from our collection up close and in person. It is our hope that this wide-ranging exhibition inspires you to take your own deep dive into the Ulrich collection and discover the gems that speak most directly to you.
Click here for the list of staff picks.
The Ulrich is grateful for the ongoing support of Salon Circle members who make the Museum’s exhibitions and programs possible through their Salon memberships. We also receive funding for general operational support from the City of Wichita and Wichita State University.
Banner: Robert Motherwell, Caves No. 2 (detail), 1976. Painting, acrylic paint; canvas, 72 H x 144 W in.
