Reception honoring Albert Sperath scheduled June 16 at museum
OXFORD,
Miss. – For almost three decades, Albert Sperath has promoted other
artists and their work. But after his retirement June 30, the
University of Mississippi Museum director anticipates resuming and
promoting his own artistic endeavors.
“I plan to go to my own
studio, gather my body of work together and start looking for venues to
exhibit and sell what I have created,” Sperath said. “I’ll need about
20 pieces to exhibit, and I am halfway there.”
A public farewell reception for Sperath is scheduled 2-4 p.m. Tuesday (June 16) at the museum.
Sperath’s wife, Linda, is also retiring this month from her position as
sponsored programs information specialist in UM’s Office of Research.
The couple have already scheduled a 10-day vacation in Hawaii, to be
followed by time in New Orleans.
“We love to travel, but Oxford will continue to be home for the immediate, foreseeable future,” he said.
Before undertaking those personal goals, Sperath organized “The
Acquisitions Exhibition: 2001-2009,” a 30-piece collection of paintings
by various artists to be displayed at the museum through July 12.
“This exhibition was chosen from acquisitions made during my tenure as director,” Sperath said. “Some were gifts, some were purchases and some combined gift and purchase. We are forever grateful to the donors, the Friends of the Museum, the Porter L. and Elizabeth Fortune Acquisition Endowment and Chancellor Khayat for enabling us to acquire these collections.”
Sperath said he estimates that 20 percent of the items purchased and donated for the museum center around the civil rights era in the South, a trend that is reflected in the show. On display in the Fortune Gallery are works from the Contemporary Art Collection of W. Forrest and Joan Stevens, which includes prints by Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, William Dunlap, Claes Oldenberg and Robert Indiana. A painting by Ellis Wilson and drawings by Mississippi artists Halcyon Barnes and John Carsman are also exhibited, as well as two photographs by Steve Gates.
In the lower gallery are paintings by G. Ray Kerciu, Thomas B. Allen, Mel Roman and Gary Chapman. A collage by retired chemistry professor Lyman Magee is made from items picked up on the Circle in front of the Lyceum after the 1962 integration riot.
“Particularly connected to the university are three paintings by John McCrady and two prints by Boyd Saunders,” Sperath said. “McCrady’s work depicts the campus, the Square and the courthouse, while Boyd’s work illustrates scenes from one of William Faulkner’s novels.”
Sperath said the eclectic show reflects a high caliber of artistic achievement, which he hopes viewers will appreciate.
Sperath came to UM in 2001 after 10 years as director of the Eagle Art Gallery at Murray State University in Kentucky. While the student population of the two universities is similar, he said the work experiences have been “as different as night and day.”
“Here at the university, I was offered a greater degree of autonomy over museum operations,” Sperath said. “There is also more emphasis on research at Ole Miss. These two factors were what enticed me to accept the position.”
UM administrators expressed their appreciation for Sperath’s achievements.
“Albert Sperath’s tenure as director of University Museums has been characterized by carefully planned, well-executed, high-quality exhibits,” said Chancellor Robert Khayat. “He was able to present our community with diverse offerings that were intellectually challenging and emotionally enriching.”
“Albert nurtured the museum with a creative vision that enhanced the jewel that it is,” said Carolyn Staton, retired UM provost. “During his directorship, he has set in motion a master plan that will ensure his legacy and the future evolution of the museum. We are indebted to him for his care, his creativity, his love for the museum and what he taught all of us about art.”
Sperath said he believes he has done all that he was meant to do as director of University Museum and Historic Houses.
“For almost 20 years, I’ve enjoyed directing museums at the university level,” Sperath said. “Now, it’s time for me to see what awaits me as an artist in my own right.”
University Museum & Historic Houses, 5th and University Avenue, is open to the public 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday. The Buie Museum is observing its 70th year of operation. For more information, call 662-915-7073 or visit http://www.olemiss.edu/museum/. For assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7073.