Founded in 1990, the Lathrop Fellows has been invaluable to the museum's efforts to develop our permanent collection and support exhibitions and educational programs. Now part of Hood Membership, the Lathrop Fellows represents a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the arts in the company of others who wish to demonstrate their support for the museum.
What attracted you to become Lathrop Fellows?
We had friends who were traveling to Santa Fe as Lathrop Fellows in 1999. The opportunity to travel with museum staff and benefit from their knowledge was a big draw. We thought it would be a terrific way to support our "town museum." We now know more about contemporary art in particular because of our experiences both at the Hood and on these trips.
What is your favorite work of art in the collection?
We are in complete agreement on this one—Beaver Meadow by Paul Sample! We love his style and the artistic tradition he came from, and we live nearby. The painting is so iconic, reflecting on our rural Vermont life—not quite what it was then, but there are still elements of the pastoral that persist. There is a sensibility about it that speaks to a simpler time and a simpler life, and the painting's colors reinforce the softness of it. We must also mention the Orozco mural—you have to put the power of that work above and beyond everything at Dartmouth.
What was your favorite exhibition at the Hood?
We agreed on this too, but we have to name three. Bringing the artist to speak is something the Hood does so well, which really engaged us with Sean Scully: The Art of the Stripe (2008) and Frank Stella: Irregular Polygons (2010). Last but not least was Native American Art at Dartmouth (2011–12), first because it honors Dartmouth's commitment to its founding charter. It wasn't just seeing the wonderful historic collection, but also the way the museum integrated it with great contemporary Native art. We had met Mateo Romero in Santa Fe on that first Lathrop Fellows trip we mentioned, and then to see him as a mature artist presenting his Pow-Wow Suite thirteen years later was thrilling.
Why would you recommend others to become members of the Hood Museum of Art?
The connections and outreach that the Hood makes with the arts community is tremendous. The great gift of having a first-class museum in a rural area is that you can support the art education of children throughout the region.
Learn more about the benefits of membership at the Hood!