The Oldest College Newspaper in Pennsylvania

The Lafayette

The Oldest College Newspaper in Pennsylvania

The Lafayette

The Oldest College Newspaper in Pennsylvania

The Lafayette

Curator’s Talk paints a vivid picture

Andrea+Cerbie+%E2%80%9808+discusses+the+pieces+in+her+curatorial+exhibit%2C+%E2%80%9CPainterly%0APerspectives.%E2%80%9D+%5BPhoto+by+Julia+Brennan+%E2%80%9817%5D
Andrea Cerbie ‘08 discusses the pieces in her curatorial exhibit, “Painterly Perspectives.” [Photo by Julia Brennan ‘17]

Lafayette alumnus discusses paintings and artists in Williams Center gallery

Students were invited to a Curator’s Talk last Monday by alumna, Andrea Cerbie ‘08. She is currently the curator of “Painterly Perspectives”, an exhibit on display in Williams Center Gallery until April 5.

Cerbie was an art history major during her time at Lafayette and began her art career senior year with an internship in art education at the Allentown Art Museum. She continued with another arts education externship in the Fairmount Public school system.

After graduation, Cerbie worked at the Montclair Art Museum, continuing her work in art education. There she had hands on opportunities, and eventually found herself involved in administrative, and eventually registration work.

Registrar work in the art world is different from what Lafayette College calls a registrar. In a museum, the registrar is essentially the gatekeeper for collection.

“It’s a very data position, but also a very personal position,” Cerbie said.

As registrar, Cerbie recorded all info about pieces coming into the museum, including insurance policies, any noticeable damage, etc. She became the caregiver for almost all the work in the museum.

After four years, she shifted from the slow paced atmosphere of museums to the quick and busy environment of galleries making the jump from non-profit museum to commercial gallery. Cerbie ended up at the DC Moore Gallery in Chelsea, where she started as a registrar four years ago in June.

She loves the nature of galleries, and her ability to work with artists that DC Moore represents.

“It’s been a really wonderful experience just getting to work with artists one on one,” Cerbie said. “I love finding out more about the meaning of their shows, rather than merely reading the catalogue.”

The idea of finding out the meaning of artist’s shows helped Cerbie select the works she chose to exhibit in “Painterly Perspectives.”

“I think this show gives students the opportunity to see a group of 20th century and contemporary artists’ work in the context of one another. While all painted in similar mediums and subject matter, each artist is working from completely different perspectives and vantage points, and has a unique process and intent,” Cerbie said. “Certain works are more representational and direct, others are abstracted, layered and even mysterious.”

After her discussion, she gave her audience a tour of the gallery and firsthand information on every painter in the exhibit—from the youngest artist the gallery represents, Claire Sherman, to late artists such as Robert De Niro Sr. and Charles Burchfield.

Leave a Comment

Comments (0)

If you wish for your response to an article to be submitted as a letter to the editor, please email [email protected].
All Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *