Wednesday, August 7, 2024 The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) is thrilled to announce two major upcoming events: the CommonGround Festival from September 13-22, 2024, and the “Young, Gifted and Black” exhibition, running from August 23 to December 29, 2024. During this period, Marla Novo will serve as Interim Executive Director. Novo brings 30 years of curatorial expertise and a dedication to MAH’s mission as the museum seeks a permanent Executive Director with the assistance of community input.
MAH proudly presents the return of the CommonGround Festival from September 13-22, 2024. This biennial event will showcase outdoor artworks by artists such as Jim and Brighton Denevan, Huy Truong, Susana Ruiz, and others. Art installations will transform Santa Cruz County’s picturesque locations, with notable highlights including a large sand drawing at Cowell Beach and video portraits projected onto trees at Evergreen Cemetery.
MAH invites everyone to engage with themes of public memory and historical justice through these evocative works. Running from August 23 to December 29, 2024, MAH will host the “Young, Gifted and Black: The Lumpkin-Boccuzzi Family Collection of Contemporary Art” exhibition. This showcase features works by artists of African descent, including David Hammons, Kerry James Marshall, Mickalene Thomas, and Kara Walker, who explore themes of identity, politics, and art history.
Bernard Lumpkin, the collection’s founder, highlights the exhibition’s significance in addressing contemporary conversations about race, equality, and inclusion. Marla Novo, with 30 years of curatorial experience and a deep commitment to MAH’s mission, is now serving as the Interim Executive Director. A Santa Cruz resident since age two, Novo has dedicated her career to enhancing the local cultural scene.
“I love this County and downtown Santa Cruz. For decades, I’ve walked to work, pondering the hidden stories MAH can reveal and the creative projects we can support. I look forward to continuing to work with my wonderful colleagues to advance MAH’s vision as we search for a permanent Executive Director,” she commented.
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) is actively seeking a permanent Executive Director, with the search process supported by Fortress and Flourish. Valuing community engagement, MAH has incorporated feedback from over 200 survey responses to establish the criteria for this vital role. The goal is to find a leader who resonates with the community’s vision and aspirations for the museum.
Jorian Wilkins, Board Chair of MAH, stated, “We are committed to finding a visionary leader who will continue to advance our mission and values. The community’s input has been invaluable in shaping the profile of our next Executive Director.” Candice Elliott, Founder of Fortress and Flourish, added, “The recruitment process has been highly collaborative.
We’ve worked closely with the MAH team and local patrons to ensure we find a leader who truly embodies the spirit and goals of the museum.”.
