b'Plastic Entanglements: Ecologies, Aesthetics, Materials addressed the complex issue of plastic and the environment. A magnet for classes from educa-tional institutions across the region, the exhibition allowed visitors of all ages to ponder the role of plasticDANIELLE CARRABINO: in contemporary society, and engage with a wide vari- FIRST-YEAR REFLECTIONSety of artworks using plastic as material and subject. SCMAs rich collection is always availableMy first year as curator of painting and sculptu e at for classes, both in the Cunningham Center for theSCMA can be summed up in two main categories: art Study of Prints, Drawings and Photographs andand people. through special programs created by the Soon after arriving, my first priority was tomuseums education staff. Installations drawn fromfamiliarize myself with the collection. I scoured the data-the collection in 20182019 highlighted the depthbase, consulted piles of curatorial object files and spentand strength of the collection and the SCMAmany hours exploring in storage. This exercise revealed community. Collections-based exhibitions includedour strengths and also got me thinking more critically9Object Histories: From the African Continent to about our holdings. It inspired me to bring works of art the SCMA Galleries, curated by Susan E. Kart 96,that have not been on view in some time into the assistant professor of the arts of Africa, Lehigh permanent galleries. And my new acquisitions, both University; No Mans Land: Prints from the Frontgifts and purchases, have focused on areas of the Lines of WWI, organized by Assistant Curator ofcollection I hope to expand.Prints, Drawings and Photographs Henriette Kets Throughout the year Ive especially enjoyed de Vries; and archival treasures: representing blackgetting the chance to meet and work with Smith College subjects, created by Brown/Conway Post-Bac- staff, alumnae and members of our local community. By calaureate Curatorial Fellow Shanice Bailey 17.leading tours, classes and several Open Eyes gallery Students and classes also created installations, fromconversations (at Free Second Fridays), I gained a good the highly successful Student Picks program tosense of our visitors interests. Many of my projects Transitions: From the Old Order to the New World:were collaborative, such as the reinstallation of the Germany 18901930, a display curated by studentsAncient gallery with my colleague Yao Wu. I was also in a class on German interwar history taught by pleased to be one of six curators on the planning team Professor Joseph McVeigh. for the upcoming centennial exhibition SCMA Then\\This abundantslate of opportunities toNow\\Next, working collaboratively with other museum connect with collections and exhibitions is drivenstaff and students, as well. by a multigenerational professional staff, which, inWhile tracing the museums past as well as close collaboration with SCMAs various communities,how we envision the future, I recognize how fortunate I is always seeking new ways to connect peopleam to be part of the illustrious history of SCMA. My firstwith art.year brings a certain sense of accomplishmentat the same time Im aware that my work here has only begun.'