ROCHESTER, NY.- The Memorial Art Gallery announced an expansion of its permanent collection through the acquisition of significant works by leading contemporary artists. These acquisitions, coupled with the appointment of Timothy Peterson as the museum’s inaugural Ann and Irving Norry Curator of Contemporary Art, mark a transformative moment for MAG as it reaffirms its commitment to collecting, exhibiting, and championing today’s innovative artistic voices.


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Expanding the Collection: New Acquisitions

The latest acquisitions at MAG reflect a dynamic range of artistic practices that underscore the museum’s goal of collecting works that spur dialogue and discovery. Highlights include:

• Erin Shirreff, whose large-scale work Paper Sculpture blends digital and traditional printing techniques on cut-metal, overlapping photographs to explore materiality and perception.

• Bethany Collins, who hand-stenciled and then strategically erased all but one sentence from four selected translations of Sophocles’ Antigone.

• Caroline Kent, who is known for her enigmatic, abstract compositions like Timely movements match hidden motivations that engage with the possibilities of nonverbal communication.

• Hugo McCloud, whose work Blue Zone was created exclusively with single-use plastic.

• Paul Mpagi Sepuya, who uses portraiture to explore the relationship between artist and subject in the photograph Darkroom Mirror (_2010851).

Timothy Peterson Joins MAG as Inaugural Ann and Irving Norry Curator of Contemporary Art

In a major step toward advancing its contemporary art program, MAG has appointed Timothy Peterson as the museum’s first Ann and Irving Norry Curator of Contemporary Art. This prestigious position, made possible through the generosity of Deborah Ronnen in honor of her parents, Ann and Irving Norry, emphasizes MAG’s dedication to expanding its contemporary holdings and deepening its engagement with living artists.

Peterson brings a distinguished curatorial career to MAG, having most recently served as Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. His extensive experience also includes leadership roles at Franklin Art Works in Minneapolis and the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, where he curated exhibitions featuring artists such as Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Kehinde Wiley, and Christian Marclay.

With Peterson’s guidance, MAG is poised to continue its robust commitment to contemporary art. Over the past decade, the museum has significantly expanded its collection with works by artists such as Nick Cave, Rashid Johnson, Mickalene Thomas, and Grayson Perry, as well as pioneering time-based media works by Isaac Julien, Bill Viola, and Nam June Paik.

“I am thrilled to join MAG at this exciting moment of growth,” said Peterson. “The museum’s attention to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art is inspiring, and I look forward to working with artists, collectors, and the community to further MAG’s mission of fostering critical dialogue and engagement with the art of our time.”



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