Exploring Innovative Art Through Paper and Human Connection at Weatherspoon Museum

Celebrating Art Through Everyday Materials at Weatherspoon

The Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNC Greensboro (UNCG) is embracing artistic transformation with the opening of two exciting exhibitions. The first, "Art on Paper 2026: The 48th Exhibition", showcases pioneering works that utilize paper in unexpected ways. The second exhibition, "Body and Soul, Humanist Visual Languages," explores profound themes of identity and community connections.

Art on Paper has a rich history, having been established nearly five decades ago to highlight innovative artists pushing the boundaries of paper as a medium. This year, the exhibition features the compelling works of 15 contemporary artists. Visitors can behold Jean Shin's mesmerizing installation, "Chance City," an expansive cityscape built from discarded losing lottery tickets valued at an astonishing $32,404. This piece alone captures the imagination and exemplifies the potential of recontextualizing commonplace materials.

Among other notable pieces, viewers will find Susan Hamburger's intricately designed suit of armor crafted from molded paper pulp. The exhibition spans multiple techniques including folding, cutting, and large-scale constructions that invite interaction and interpretation. Many participating artists, such as Jerstin Crosby, Ingrid Erickson, Kirk Fanelly, and Kasia Ozga, boast roots in North Carolina, making this exhibition a celebration of local talent and creativity.

As a tradition that enriches the museum's collection, works from Art on Paper are frequently considered for acquisition into the Dillard Collection of Art on Paper, which currently houses approximately 600 remarkable pieces by renowned artists like Robert Smithson and Louise Bourgeois.

Body and Soul shines a light on the shared human experience through art. This exhibition features 35 diverse works from the Weatherspoon collection including a mix of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and mixed media that delve into themes of memory, identity, and vulnerability. Artist Leslie Fry’s sculpture "Release" poignantly captures human emotions and the instinct to cling to certainty amid uncertainty.

Curators Juliette Bianco and Elaine D. Gustafson emphasize the importance of personal connection with art, encouraging visitors of all backgrounds to engage with the works displayed. The title "Body and Soul" aptly summarizes the exhibition's aim—body referring to the visual aspect of the works and soul embodying the emotions and experiences they invoke.

This exhibition aligns with the future vision for the new Cole Levin Center for Art and Human Understanding, intended to foster dialogue and awareness about the role of visual art in our lives.

Located at 1005 Spring Garden St. on the UNCG campus, the Weatherspoon Art Museum offers free admission and parking. Both exhibitions are open to the public, with Art on Paper running until April 18, 2027, and Body and Soul continuing until February 13, 2027.

Founded in 1941, the Weatherspoon Art Museum is noted for its extensive focus on modern and contemporary art, housing a permanent collection of nearly 7,000 artworks. This includes the esteemed Claribel and Etta Cone Collection featuring artists such as Henri Matisse and significant works by American and European modernists. Serving as a vital community resource, the Weatherspoon actively impacts lives through art and cultural engagement.

To explore more about these exhibitions and the museum's offerings, visit weatherspoonart.org.