Wednesday, August 7, 2024
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The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH) is thrilled to announce two major upcoming events: the Commonground Festival from September 13-22, 2024, and the “Young, Gifted and Black” exhibition, running from August 23 to December 29, 2024. These periods Meanwhile, Marla Novo will serve as interim executive director. Novo brings 30 years of curatorial expertise and dedication to MAH’s mission as the museum searches for a permanent executive director with input from the community.
Commonground Festival
MAH proudly presents the return of the Commonground Festival from September 13-22, 2024. This biennial event will showcase outdoor artworks by artists such as Jim and Brighton Denevan, Hue Truong, Susana Ruiz and others. Art installations will transform scenic locations in Santa Cruz County, with notable highlights including a large sand painting at Cowell Beach and video portraits projected onto trees at Evergreen Cemetery. MAH invites everyone to engage with the themes of public memory and historical justice through these evocative works.
Young, Gifted and Black
Running from August 23 to December 29, 2024, the MAH will host the exhibition “Young, Gifted and Black: The Lumpkin-Bocuzzi Family Collection of Contemporary Art”. The showcase features works by artists of African descent, including David Hammons, Kerry James Marshall, Micklen Thomas and Kara Walker, who explore themes of identity, politics and art history. The collection’s founder, Bernard Lumpkin, highlights the exhibition’s importance in addressing contemporary conversations about race, equality and inclusion.
Marla Novo, With 30 years of curatorial experience and a deep commitment to MAH’s mission, now serving as Interim Executive Director.
A resident of Santa Cruz since the age of two, Novo has dedicated her career to enhancing the local cultural scene. “I love this county and downtown Santa Cruz. For decades, I have walked through MAH to work, thinking about the hidden stories and creative projects we can support. I look forward to continuing to work with my wonderful colleagues to advance MAH’s vision as we search for a permanent executive director,” she commented.
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH) is actively seeking a permanent Executive Director, with a search process supported by Fortress and Flourish. Emphasizing community engagement, MAH has incorporated over 200 survey responses to establish criteria for this important role. The goal is to find a leader who resonates with the community’s vision and aspirations for the museum.
Jorian Wilkins, MAH’s Board Chairman said, “We are committed to finding a visionary leader who will continue to advance our mission and values. Community input has been invaluable in shaping the profile of our next Executive Director.”
Candice Elliott, The founder of Fortress & Flourish added, “The recruitment process has been extremely collaborative. We have worked closely with the MAH team and local patrons to ensure that we have a leader who truly embodies the spirit and goals of the museum.”