March 11, 2018
MUAW! Museum Union Art Workers Show. The title’s acronym is a playful reference to a welcoming kiss (MWAH) symbolizing the exhibition’s celebration of community, art, and labor. The union workers of The Metropolitan Museum of Art organized this show not only to share their work with each other but also with the public. It is a product of their mutual support, love, and commitment to art. All 90+ participating artists are members of District Council 37 – Local 1503, which is celebrating 60 years of representing and forging labor relations with the museum. This exhibit is a nod to the union’s anniversary and the creativity sparked when being surrounded by the Met’s collection. It also highlights the global community of New York City since many of the artists ar first and second generation immigrants.
SW!PE, an exhibition that featured art by museum guards, was a previous collaborative effort by union workers from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The show garnered wide attention from the press including The New York Times and NPR.
MUAW! also has a site-specific element since it will be held in El Barrio’s Artspace PS109, a gallery located in an historic landmark building that formerly functioned as a school. The site was converted into a residential space where almost all of the occupants are artists.
The organizers and the artists are proud of this exhibit as it demonstrates the impact that bridging local communities, institutions, and organizations through art can do to enrich the dynamic cultural history of this city.
For inquiries please email the MUAW! Committee at muaw1503(at)gmail.com.
This post was updated March 16, 2018. The names of the artists and organizers were added.
