Binghamton University Art Museum (BUAM) is hosting a pop-up exhibition curated from its permanent collection of over 4,000 pieces, with each work selected by a member of the Binghamton University community. The exhibition was conceived by Richard Quiles, a diversity education coordinator and former museum intern, who collaborated with museum director Diane Butler and preparator Jessica Petrylak to invite faculty and staff to choose artworks that resonate with their identities and write reflection essays. The show includes paintings, prints, and works by prominent Black artists, and will run during Celebrate Diversity Month.
This exhibition matters because it models a participatory, community-driven approach to curation that centers diverse perspectives and underrepresented artists, moving beyond traditional top-down museum practices. By engaging campus members across departments and linking art to personal identity, BUAM strengthens its role as a inclusive cultural hub and potentially establishes an annual tradition that could inspire similar initiatives at other university museums.