Local Learning Experiences, Visiting the Alfred Ceramics Museum
From Alfred, NY to ancient Babylonia, museums have been an important part of communities and cultures across the globe for centuries.
Built over 2,500 years ago, the world's oldest known museum was discovered by archaeologist Leonard Wooley in 1925. Wooley was excavating an ancient babylonian palace when he came across a collection of artifacts and antiquities from across the Middle east.
The collection belonged to Princess Ennigaldi, the daughter of King Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. As part of her religious and educational duties, Princess Ennigaldi started her museum, and well, the rest is history.
Today museums are more common, and focused on countless different topics. Everything from tap water in China, to bad Art in the United States, have been put on display, cataloged, and looked at by curious individuals, tourists, students and educators.
Why are museums important, interesting, and at times so weird?
According to art enthusiast and journalist Rebecca Carlsson, “...museums and galleries provide an insight into the history of humankind. And while no museum can claim to provide a complete picture, the lessons we can learn from past events, wonders and tragedies are priceless.”
So basically, museums are a snapshot of us, and we are so very interesting, and so very weird.
Carlsson goes on to talk about how museums help us to learn from our past and weather adversity by encouraging much needed conversation about important topics. Museums are key to our growth and evolution as a species, it's a record of our past, and a reminder of what is possible, and that everything, yes, even tap water, is worth documenting and exploring.
The Alfred Ceramics Museum
Recently, the club visited the Alfred Ceramics museum. Located on the Alfred University campus, in Alfred, NY, the museum is home to over 8,000 ceramic pieces. The museum's roots can be traced back almost 100 years, when Charles Fergus Binns began planning the collection.
The museum's current facility, built in 2014 and officially opened in 2015, features exhibits throughout the year, most of which are focused on ceramics. Operated daily by university students, and directed by renowned ceramic artist Wayne Higby, the museum is a hidden gem in the Upstate New York region.
Museum Exhibits Inspirinting New Ceramic Form Creations
Our visit to the museum was to see the work of, and learn more about William Underhill. A sculptor, and castor, Underhill left a lasting legacy, and a wide range of work. From smooth flowing geometric forms, to highly textured and active pots, his work was thought-provoking and inspiring.
The exhibit, entitled William Underhill: Casting a Legacy, provided a look at Underhill’s processes, his workspace, prized pieces, and important professional milestones. It gave us a better understanding of him as an individual, and helped us gain an even greater respect for his work.
Carlsson states in her article “Local museums are able to provide a sense of community and place by celebrating a collective heritage, offering a great way to get to know the history of a particular area.” While we all walked away inspired with ideas for new forms and projects, we also left with an increased pride for the New York Art community.
From individuals like Underhill who make the work, to organizations like Alfred University, who exhibited it, we are lucky to have these opportunities, and excited to build on the opportunities they present us. So, next time you take a pottery class, consider researching some historical works of art, and learning about artists and craftspeople of the past. You never know when inspiration will strike!
Article Sources
Wilkins, Alasdair, and Raymond Phillip Daughtery. “The story behind the world's oldest museum, built by a Babylonian princess 2,500 years ago.” Gizmodo, 25 May 2011, https://gizmodo.com/the-story-behind-the-worlds-oldest-museum-built-by-a-b-5805358. Accessed 23 November 2022.
“15 weirdest museums in the world.” CNN, 12 July 2017, https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/world-weirdest-museums/index.html. Accessed 23 November 2022.
Carlsson, Rebecca. “Why we need museums now more than ever.” MuseumNext, 26 October 2022, https://www.museumnext.com/article/why-we-need-museums-now-more-than-ever/. Accessed 23 November 2022.
