TRAVELING EXHIBIT

MUMENTOUS: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition

by Amy J. Schultz

The Arlington Museum of Art is proud to announce the availability of MUMENTOUS: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition by Amy J. Schultz, our inaugural Artist-in-Residence.

MUMENTOUS: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition is an artistic, sociological, and personal exploration of a deeply rooted and unique Texas high school tradition: the exchange and wearing of huge artificial floral “corsages” to homecoming football games. As the viewer moves through her collection, themes emerge that transform a seemingly place-specific practice to one laden with universal themes such as coming of age in America, the commercialization of traditions, and the roles assumed by women to protect society’s traditions.

The collection consists entirely of Schultz’s original work, which ranges from street-style photography, written narratives, audio, and a self-produced history video about the tradition. The installation also integrates actual homecoming mums made and worn by members of her community.

As a part of our on-going commitment to support working artists, our Traveling Exhibit program features select collections that have been previously shown at the Arlington Museum of Art. In partnership with the artists themselves, the AMA makes these collections available to museums and exhibition venues throughout the country. Each collection can be scaled to fit a variety of spaces. Please contact Kendall Quirk at kendall@arlingtonmuseum.org for more information about our traveling exhibit program and how to book this collection.

MUMENTOUS: Photography

Consistent with her focal point-challenging style, Schultz’s street photography disavows the mum as merely over-the-top ornamentation. Instead, she explores how it is as alive as its wearer. She also begins to unpack the historical and cultural mechanisms intertwined with the practice — particularly those driven by women — which have allowed it to evolve over its 100-year history rather than succumb to tests brought on by time.

Schultz composed her images using a photojournalistic style without the benefit of studio backdrops, artificial lighting, or significant post-production. Schultz presents her images in black and white to give them a timeless, literary treatment and encourage more allegorical interpretations.

MUMENTOUS: The Traveling Exhibition

The traveling exhibition collection includes 58 framed photographs (240 linear feet), an audio installation, a 14-minute history video, and printable PDFs of several original narratives, all by the artist. Over two dozen mums, made and worn by Texans, are also available for loan. Marketing material samples, condition report, placard files, sample press release, programming guide, and a full collection checklist are available upon request. A companion book entitled MUMENTOUS, published by Atmosphere Press, is available for resale.

MUMENTOUS: The Ongoing Narratives

Driven by her subject-matter, the artist views her exhibition not as static but as an on-going conversation. Based on extensive research, hundreds of one-to-one conversations, and oral history interviews, Schultz penned nearly thirty memoir-style short stories which accompany her photographs in her 2023 book entitled MUMENTOUS. Her photography, research, interviews, and storytelling continue on her blog, Mum Stories.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Amy J. Schultz

Through her photographic images, narratives, and multi-media installations, Amy J. Schultz seeks to unveil underlying, contradictory, and universal truths in her work by challenging the presupposed focal point. Throughout her career, Schultz has participated in numerous juried gallery exhibitions and art festivals, winning several awards for her photography. She is one of the two dozen artists chosen to create pieces for the Star of Texas public art project in Arlington, Texas. She also served as the Arlington Museum of Art’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence.

“My experiences as the AMA Artist-in-Residence opened me to understanding a subject matter through many different mediums,” said Schultz. “It was an opportunity not only to create new works but to bring people together, amplify a diversity of perspectives, and influence perceptions. I began MUMENTOUS as a photographer; now I’m a storyteller.”

Learn more about the artist by visiting her website.