ATHENS, GA.- The Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia received two awards from the Georgia Association of Museums (GAM) at its annual conference, held in Milledgeville this February. GAM president Rebecca Bush and awards co-chairs Karin Dalton and Natalie Smith presented the museum with the Special Project Award (Category #3: $25,001 - $99,999) for its lobby drawings by Sol LeWitt and the Exhibition Award (Category #3: $25,001 - $99,999) for “Kei Ito: Staring at the Face of the Sun.”

LeWitt, a key figure in conceptual and minimalist art, prioritized the artistic process over the product, inviting others to execute his wall drawings using his detailed instructions. In fall 2024, the museum installed two Sol LeWitt wall drawings in its lobby. Partially funded by a grant from the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation, the project invited UGA students to participate in creating artworks that would remain on display for three years. Professional installers from the LeWitt estate collaborated with students, faculty from the Lamar Dodd School of Art, museum interns and staff to produce “Wall Drawing #869” from LeWitt’s “Copied Lines” series and “Wall Drawing #1038 Bars of Color within a Square (#3)” from his “Bars” series.

LeWitt's art encourages us to think about an approach to art in which concepts are more important than the final product and in which the process of creation involves collaboration. This initiative served as an extension of LeWitt's belief that art can live on through collective involvement rather than existing as a fixed object. The students’ contributions revitalize the work, making it relevant and significant in today's context.

The exhibition “Kei Ito: Staring at the Face of the Sun” explored nuclear trauma and healing through photography. It connected global histories, addressing both Japanese survivors and American experiences with nuclear testing. Curated by Jeffrey Richmond-Moll, the museum’s former curator of American art, the exhibition spanned five galleries, incorporating video, sound, cameraless photography and projected imagery. It also included elements related to the Savannah River Site in Georgia, which refines nuclear materials.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Ito has dedicated his life to examining the impact of the 1945 Hiroshima bombing. Drawing from his family’s history, his work confronts global trauma and fosters opportunities for reconciliation. The exhibition served as a platform for international conversation and engaged students and faculty across disciplines, including public and international affairs.

GAM is a private, nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting development and enhancing the professional practices of museums and nonprofit galleries across the state. The yearly conference provides a platform for museum professionals, board members, volunteers and advocates to exchange information and cultivate connections among museums and galleries statewide.