One of the many perks of being an NSU Shark, membership to the NSU Art Museum in downtown Fort Lauderdale grants students free admission access to the museum’s more than 25,000 square feet of exhibition space. The museum features its significant collection of Latin American art, contemporary art with an emphasis on art by Black, Latinx and women artists, African art, visiting exhibitions and much more.
Bonnie Clearwater, the director and chief curator of NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, explained that the museum is a place where students can participate in interdisciplinary exploration. From bio majors to art students, the museum has something to offer everyone.
“We take a very interdisciplinary approach to our exhibitions, programs and our collection… The university is always emphasizing this idea of being cross-disciplinary and the museum is the natural place for this,” said Clearwater.
Students can activate their membership on the NSU Art Museum website by visiting the “you belong” membership page. By registering with their emails, students can receive information about current and upcoming exhibitions, events and programs offered through the museum. Continue reading below to learn about a few of the new exhibits students can check out during a visit to the museum.
Thomas Bills: Still Cheaper Than Paying
Still Cheaper Than Paying, an exhibition featuring the work of Miami artist Thomas Bill’s will be on display at the NSU Art Museum through Dec. 12. In the series, the artist transforms parking citations into creative works of art which he sells for the price of the ticket, working towards his goal of living at net-zero. As a young struggling art graduate faced with the decision to make ends meet or pay the tickets, “what started as a way to survive has become a whole conceptual framework for his work,” Clearwater explains. Some of the drawings have also inspired full scale paintings which are on display as a part of the exhibition.
Christopher Carter: The Carter Project
On display through Jan. 9, 2021, the eco-sensitive exhibition created by Christopher Carter brings his Miami home created from shipping containers and repurposed materials to life at the NSU Art Museum through a fully immersive 360-degree exhibit. Through videos, photography and 3-D printed models, visitors can experience and explore the multipurpose home Carter considers his biggest sculpture.
Iké Udé: Select Portraits
Through his conceptual photographs, Udé seeks to counter the conventional photos of Africans through his exhibition, Select Portraits. Capturing Nollywood (Nigerian Hollywood) stars, he portrays a lush and glamorous image of Africans. According to Clearwater, the NSU Art Museum plans to host a virtual event in which Nollywood producers, directors and stars will be broadcasting live to discuss the relationship between Nollywood films and global fashion.
“Our virtual programming has been exceptional and has actually made it possible for us to be truly global,” said Clearwater. The exhibition will be on display at the museum until Jan. 9.
Anna Sui: The World of Anna Sui
The World of Anna Sui showcasing the work of legendary fashion designer Anna Sui will close Oct. 3. Clearwater encourages students to take advantage of their last chance to see the exhibition. Students can learn more by reading The Current’s article on the exhibit here or by visiting the NSU website.
All NSU COVID policies are in place at the museum, including mask and social distancing requirements. The rules are strictly enforced.
