Arlington, TX (September 17, 2019) – If it’s true you can’t judge a book by its cover, then it’s true you can’t judge a homecoming mum by its size, according to Amy J. Schultz, an artist, writer, and award-winning photographer who has spent the last three years studying this unique Texas high school tradition. Rather than focusing solely on the physical characteristics of today’s mums — elaborate silk versions of chrysanthemum corsages from days gone by — she has explored the driving forces behind the tradition including fan and pop culture through the years, social media, critics, the DIY movement, entrepreneurship and moms.
Now Schultz will bring her exploration to light. In her role as the museum’s first Artist-in-Residence, her multi-media art exhibition, entitled MUMENTOUS: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition, opens at the museum September 27 and runs through November 24, 2019.
“Who’s the primary defender of traditions in your family? It’s probably Mom or Grandma or a favorite Aunt,” said Schultz. “When the time comes to make a homecoming mum, Mom doesn’t bat an eye. She rallies her friends with glue guns and says, ‘Let’s go.’ There’s so much to this tradition that we take for granted, and I can’t wait to discover and share those hidden truths.
As an artist, writer and award-winning photographer, Schultz, owner of unplain jane studio, regularly shows her photography at juried gallery exhibitions and art festivals. Her photographs have been widely collected, and she was one of two dozen artists chosen to create pieces for AMA’s ‘Star of Texas’ initiative. Schultz also works with clients on a variety of commissioned and commercial projects. “It takes curiosity, tenacity and time to de-tangle a story and get to its universal truths. This Artist-in-Residency will give me this time. I can’t overstate how grateful I am to Arlington Museum of Art for this opportunity.”
“We’re delighted to be working with Amy as our first Artist-in-Residence,” said AMA Board President Chris Hightower, curator for both the museum and its Artist-in-Residency. “Not only does she bring a unique artistic perspective but she has tremendous energy and a real passion for Arlington.”
“The museum’s new residency program adds local flavor to our world-class exhibition calendar,” said AMA Executive Director Brian White.
In addition to her multi-media exhibition, Schultz will be making the most of her time as the AMA Artist-in-Residence by working on her first book, a companion to MUMENTOUS. Together with AMA, Schultz will also co-host community engagement events including lectures about her exhibition.
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