Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 824 CREATING POSSIBILITIES CHARLOTTE FENG FORD ’83 ENDOWS A NEW POSITION, CURATOR OF CONTEMPORARY ART AT AGE 12, CHARLOTTE FENG FORD ’83 TRAVELED with her family on a six-week, 10-city trip to Europe, an adventure that instilled in her a love of art, which blossomed during her time at Smith. Although an economics major, Ford’s favorite class was Art 100. “We studied some of the works I’d seen on that trip,” she says, “and I loved being surrounded by other women who were talking about the same things I cared about.” Ford’s passion for art, and her belief in the importance of a community where art can be discussed and enjoyed, shaped her life in significant ways. After graduating from Smith, she began collecting art for personal pleasure. When she realized that art was giving her a broader perspective on life, her collection grew from a hobby into a lifetime venture with a focus on fostering the careers of young artists and the institutions that support them—including her alma mater. The Charlotte Feng Ford ’83 Curator of Con- temporary Art will allow SCMA a new and nearly un- paralleled academic focus on contemporary art. “This has become a specialized academic and curatorial field, addressing a rapidly changing, global and technolog- ically mediated environment,” says Jessica Nicoll ‘83, SCMA’s director and chief curator. “Charlotte’s visionary gift enables us to take a leading role in contemporary art by collaborating with faculty and students on exhibitions and new research, and coordinating an active program of artists’ visits.” FORD HOPES THE NEW CURATOR’S POSITION will make it easier for Smith students and other visitors to “be with the art of their times.” That access, she notes, is “a way to enhance the Smith curriculum, and it’s a way to help people see the world in different ways.” “I didn’t grow up surrounded by the art of my time,” Ford says, “but my children did, and that broadened their perspectives. Contemporary artists are responding to current issues, and people who see that work can’t help but be shaped by it.” Ford’s own collection emphasizes emerging talent and a commitment to individual artists such as Karen Kilimnik, Andrea Bowers, Ryan Trecartin, Gabriel Orozco, Wade Guyton, Laura Owens and Gedi Sibony. The collection also includes significant historical works by Yayoi Kusama, David Hammons, Mira Schendel and Alice Neel. Guided by passion and subject matter that is important to her, Ford has collected and supported the works of Martha Rosler, Carol Bove, Isa Genzken and Anne Collier, among others. Ford says her collection is “built from the heart. I look for work that sparks an emotional connection.” SHE ALSO UNDERSTANDS THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT comes with her passion. “I want to ensure that the collection has depth, and that it includes the work of CREATING POSSIBILITIES