BG Projects at New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is proud to present Sanders Spotlight, an exhibition showcasing a selection of works in the university art collection by previous James A. Sanders Gallery Fellows. The show opens Tuesday, September 12, with a reception on Saturday, October 14, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM Central in conjunction with New Harmony Second Saturdays. Sanders Spotlight will be on view from September 12 – October 28, 2023, with gallery hours from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central, Tuesday – Saturday.
Previous fellows whose artwork is featured include:
● Roxanne Burton '12
● Tabatha Chinn '19
● Sarah Howard '10
● Cheyenne Miller '22
● Debra Pellant '14
● Nathan A. Pietrykowski '11
● Livia Xandersmith '18
James A. Sanders, director emeritus for Corporate and Foundation Relations and former director of Historic New Harmony, had a distinguished career in education, teaching in the Henderson, Kentucky and Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporations. In 1985, he left teaching to become the University's first director of Historic New Harmony, where he was able to combine his marketing knowledge with his interest in historic preservation. Under Mr. Sanders's management, he moved the organization's focus from restoration to education, built the assets of the USI-New Harmony Foundation, developed new educational
exhibits, and involved the residents of the town of New Harmony in the University's programs there. Aer ten years as director, Mr. Sanders accepted a position as Director of Corporate Relations at USI. He also gave leadership to the establishment of the Art Collection Committee and obtained funding to support the teaching collection.
In 2008, Mr. Sanders provided funding for a one-year (two semesters) fellowship to support one or more students interested in exhibition design, publicity, curation, and management at an art gallery through supervised applied training with the University Art Collection and at the Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center / Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries on the USI campus and the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, located in historic New Harmony, Indiana. At each location, the fellow is assigned a project that supports the mission of the organization. In addition, there are opportunities to learn different aspects of caring for an art collection and managing a non-profit art gallery. In the newly created BG Projects (Back Gallery) at the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, a fellow will have the opportunity
to curate their own exhibition. The fellow is required to complete a journal that describes the project and experiences of the fellowship. This fellowship connects the recipient(s) with art professionals in the region and aids in networking for future career opportunities.
As of June 2023, 30 students have benefited from the James A. Sanders Fellowship at University of Southern Indiana.
What are some projects previous fellows completed?
● Curate exhibitions at the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
● Curate/Co-curate an exhibition using the University Art Collection on campus
● Exhibition Preparator duties—Prepare and install artwork for display around campus
or gallery
● Process gifts of artwork to the University and enter data into PastPerfect Collections
Software
● Projects to support the University Art Collection
● Assist in planning workshops and events
● Campus Art Guide, Resource for public art around campus
● Collaborate with New Harmony community organizations for events
● Conservation project with 19th and early 20th century Indiana paintings
● Interview the artist Stephen S. Pace
● Inventory the University Art Collection
● Preservation projects with University Print Collection
● Team up with State Museum on an exhibition
Where have Sanders Fellows studied after graduation?
● Efroymson Bridge Year Fellow, University of Southern Indiana
● MA Arts & Entertainment Administration
● MA in Communications at University of Southern Indiana
● MA in Curatorial Practice
● MFA in Interdisciplinary Study in Visual Arts
● MFA in Painting and Drawing
● MFA in Printmaking
What are some careers that Sanders Fellows have chosen?
● Art Director at Tucker Publishing Group, Evansville, IN
● Assistant to the Gallery Director at McCutchan Art Center & Pace Galleries, Evansville,
IN
● Communications Director at Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, Evansville
● Conservator Assistant at Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, GA
● Digital Marketing Executive at USA TODAY NETWORK
● Freelance Graphic Designer
● Gallery Assistant at New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
● Gallery Manager at Hoosier Salon, New Harmony, IN
● Graphic Designer at Stribling & Associates/COMPASS
● Independent Artist/Owner at Southport Studio, Evansville, IN
● Instructor in Art at Delta State University, Cleveland, MS
● Senior Registrar at Ship/Art International, South San Francisco, CA
