The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem is highlighting the work of its curatorial team, specifically focusing on how Lydia Peabody, Lan Morgan, and Ruthie Dibble are revitalizing the institution's collections. A primary focus is the exhibition 'Edmonia Lewis: Said in Stone,' where Peabody integrated contemporary photography and video by artist Gisella Torres to create a dialogue with Lewis’s 19th-century neoclassical marble sculptures. Other initiatives include Lan Morgan’s 'Beyond the Broom' project, which uses short films to showcase a community-focused perspective of Salem beyond its 'witch city' reputation.
This profile underscores the evolving role of the museum curator from a traditional gatekeeper to a storyteller who bridges historical archives with contemporary social relevance. By focusing on underrepresented figures like Edmonia Lewis and engaging with local filmmakers, the PEM curators are demonstrating how regional museums can maintain global art historical standards while remaining deeply rooted in their local communities and modern cultural conversations.