Weisman Art Museum welcomes Director Alejandra Peña-Gutiérrez

Article by Becky Fillinger

Alejandra Peña-Gutiérrez

The Weisman Art Museum (WAM) has a new Director: Alejandra Peña-Gutiérrez. She brings three decades of experience operating and curating for international museums. We talked to her about immediate and long-term plans for the iconic museum which left us with one overwhelming conclusion – it’s time for a visit to 333 E River Road.

Q:  Congratulations on your new position! We're happy to welcome you to our community and we also celebrate the museum being open again for visits. You’ve been on the job for a few months - what are your initial impressions of the Weisman Art Museum, the University and Minneapolis? 

A:  I’ve really only been at the Weisman since December - and half of that time was eaten up by the holidays and winter break! But I can already tell, there’s a world of possibilities open to us at the Weisman, given the diverse communities surrounding us in the Twin Cities and the wealth of academic resources at the University of Minnesota. I’m so excited about the rich potential of collaboration here.

Q:  WAM has an active touring program in the state, nationally and internationally. What are the 2022 plans? 

A:  The Weisman’s spring exhibition, which opens this month, B.J.O. Nordfeldt: American Internationalist, is one of those traveling exhibitions. This important survey, curated by Gabe Weisberg at the Weisman, features WAM’s collection of Nordfeldt’s work - the largest in the country! This exhibition made its first appearance at the Wichita Art Museum this fall, where it was well-received. I must say, though, COVID has complicated exhibition scheduling for the Weisman, and for museums around the world; many of our traveling exhibitions plans have needed to shift with the circumstances of the pandemic.

B.J.O. Nordfeldt's Green Woods, 1950

Oil paintings on 12” x 19” paper bags, part of Foundling: 100 Days

Q:  Megan Rye’s Foundling: 100 Days exhibit is powerful — exploring the 'human faces' of international adoption. What do you hope visitors take away from the exhibit? 

A:  One of the wonderful things about the Weisman is that it offers a safe space for visitors and artists to address issues important to all of us, in a nuanced way: in conversation with the artist’s vision on these subjects, but also with the benefit of scholarship at the University, and informed by community members’ lived experiences. I hope visitors leave the exhibition with an enriched understanding of this hot-button issue.

Q:  You have an educational background, along with your advanced degrees in art and architecture. Do you have plans to teach at the University? What about other academic collaborations for WAM?

A:  My role at the University isn’t a teaching one; I have a whole museum to run! However, I’m very interested in deepening Weisman's work in the classroom - through curricular integration, increasing student engagement, and through collaboration with researchers and scholars on campus.
 
Q:  You’ve collaborated with many museums on shared exhibitions — do you have an idea of exhibitions you’re planning to bring to WAM?

A:  We’re in the midst of long-range planning for exhibitions right now, actually. I don’t have a specific calendar to share with you at the moment, but we’ll announce plans for the 2023 exhibition season this summer. WAM has such a talented curatorial team! They’re exploring a number of exciting possibilities for the museum. 

Q:  I've read that you’re interested in bringing WAM's offerings to underserved communities — is that a long-term goal or are there 2022 programs underway?

A:  This is definitely a priority for me! But I’m also aware that these things take time - to build relationships, establish trust, and to coordinate programming in authentic collaboration with the community partners they’re intended to serve. But stay tuned! As those plans bear fruit, we’ll certainly have news to share. 

Q:  WAM sits on the banks of the Mississippi River and on Dakota land. How will WAM, under your leadership, honor the indigenous people who first lived here?

A:  WAM is embarking on a Truth and Reconciliation project, in collaboration with community and University stakeholders; as part of that process, the Weisman has also convened an advisory council of Native American partners. But this is just a part of renewed and dedicated efforts, at the Weisman and at the University of Minnesota, to ensure diversity, equity, access, and inclusion is at the heart of all aspects of museum operations. Cultivating reciprocal relationships and building trust with Native American community partners is a vitally important part of that work. 

Q: How may we follow your news?

 A: The best way to keep track of the Weisman’s exhibitions, programs, and news is by signing up for the museum’s e-News. Doing so signs you up for a WAM membership as well, which means early access to ticketing, member discounts during seasonal sales at WAM Shop, and other perks. We’ll certainly keep you posted as news is released! 

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