In the fall 2021, junior Kiara Bromberg embarked on a memorable journey to the Weisman Museum. This hidden treasure on the Pepperdine campus left an indelible mark on her, she said.
Bromberg and her two friends decided to seek shelter from a rainstorm within the museum’s walls. Little did they know, they were about to commence on a captivating artistic adventure.
The Weisman Museum, founded in September 1992, was dedicated as the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, said Rebecca Carson, managing director of the Weisman Museum. It stands as a testament to Frederick Weisman, she said, a significant art collector known for his remarkable collection of modern and contemporary art in Los Angeles.
“I remember it being super cool,” Bromberg said. “The sculptures and paintings and the virtual reality screen with headphones were amazing. We could see flowers moving around in the pond [through the virtual reality exhibit], and it unlocked a different sense through sound.”
Bromberg enthusiastically recommended the museum to others, highlighting its accessibility.
“The Weisman is not as big [as other art museums], which is good and bad because you can get a little taste for 10 to 15 minutes, and it’s on campus,” Bromberg said. “I would like to know more about where this art even comes from and how often they change exhibits.”
The museum’s enduring partnership with the Weisman Foundation spans over 30 years, and the foundation maintains a distinct collection of objects separate from the museum’s collection.
Carson provided insights into the pivotal role the museum plays at Pepperdine.
“For Pepperdine students, the museum is one of the very few places on campus where you don’t feel pressured to be productive,” Carson said. “You can just go and be yourself and take a little moment and look at beautiful things.”
Carson emphasized the museum’s efforts to engage students, including fun social events like the Come as You Art Halloween costume party, which the Art History Student Society helps host.
The Weisman Museum, free and open to all, offers a unique sanctuary for creative exploration.
Mia Boyd, a senior assistant at the Weisman Museum, initially had no idea about its existence before joining the staff. However, her year-long experience at the museum has opened her eyes to the world of art curation and exhibition. She said she has found a deep appreciation for the diverse exhibits and has discovered what it takes to run a museum, from installation to de-installation and preparing for events.
Boyd said she sees her role as a unique opportunity to learn about different artists and styles.
Boyd’s academic encounter with the museum in her Great Books class provided a fresh perspective.
“We were relating the art of the different texts we had been reading in the class and discussing the different ideas,” Boyd said. “It was fun to look at it [the museum] from a more academic angle instead of my time working here.”
She said her personal favorite exhibit is the current art exhibit on display through Dec. 10 by Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson, which is filled with exquisite watercolors and tapestries inspired by Iceland, according to The Weisman’s New Exhibit Features ‘Atmospheric’ Artist.
Museum Director Andrea Gyorody shared growing statistics about student engagement. In fall 2022, approximately 374 students came with their classes and participated in special programming. The trend continued into spring 2023, with around 320 students attending classes and programming.
“To me, that’s the thing that is most essential is that we maintain the museum as a place where people can have their first really important experience with art,” Gyorody said.
Gyorody emphasized the museum’s mission to inspire students to go into the field and become curators, critics, gallery directors and art enthusiasts. To achieve this, the museum actively works to attract a diverse audience, including students and faculty from various disciplines beyond art and art history.
“It offers something different but equally important, which is, you know, this experience with something tactile — something that’s usually non-linguistic,” Gyorody said. “That is the product of somebody’s expression.”
Efforts include conceiving exhibitions with broader content appeal, such as an exploration of the role of trees in various aspects of life, Carson said. The museum invites faculty to use the space for class sessions, regardless of their subject, fostering deeper engagement with art.
The museum initiated a “Thought Partners” series that delves into the intersection of art and religion, Gyorody said. The series features speakers from various faith backgrounds, sparking conversations about art and spirituality from different perspectives.
“‘The Thought Partner’ series will continue as a more sort of itinerant conversation series and hopefully, work toward some exhibition,” Gyorody said.
Over the years, the Weisman Museum has left an indelible mark on the Pepperdine community.
Sharyl Corrado, associate professor of History and Humanities/Teacher Education Division, attested to the transformative power of class trips to the museum. She said museum tours tailored to her classes enriched her students’ learning experiences. Exhibitions like the 2013 “American Illustration exhibit” and the 2016 Andy Warhol exhibit left a profound impact.
In 2012, an exhibition on 19th-century European art aligned perfectly with Corrado’s class, creating memorable moments of intellectual connection. While scheduling tours can be challenging, she said students have sometimes visited exhibits for extra credit, further demonstrating the museum’s influence on education and cultural enrichment.
The Weisman Museum at Pepperdine stands as a sanctuary of creativity — a place where students and the wider community can find solace, inspiration and connection with the world of art. As it continues to evolve and reach a broader audience, it remains a hidden gem waiting to be explored by all who seek its artful treasures.
“I encourage people to stop by and take a minute, wander through and see if you find something that inspires you,” Carson said.
__________________
Follow the Graphic on Twitter: @PeppGraphic
Contact Victoria La Ferla via email: Victoria.laferla@pepperdine.edu or by Instagram @vlf_insider
