Description:

Join us at The Block to celebrate the Block Museum Student Associates 2023-2024 acquisition of Cara Romero’s photographs, TV Indians (2017) and Amber Morningstar (2020). Artist Cara Romero will discuss her practice and these new acquisitions to the museum’s collection, following an extended introduction by members of the Block Museum Student Associates program. Romero will be joined in conversation by Aaron Golding, Co-Chair of the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative Education Committee and Sr. Program Administrator in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. 

Each year, the Block Museum Student Associates learn about museum collecting practices and recommend acquisition of works of art centered around a theme. Their 2023–2024 acquisition focused on the use of humor as an artistic strategy. Romero’s nuanced works explore themes of identity and tradition, and poke fun at the many ways Indigenous communities have been misrepresented and stereotyped in American culture. Read more about the 2023-2024 BMSA Student Acquisition and hear our students’ reflections on their selection.  

TV Indians is on view in Looking 101 and Amber Morningstar is on view in The Block Collects. Block Museum Student Associates will be available in the galleries before and after the program to discuss their acquisition. The galleries will remain open after the program until 8pm.  

Participation level – light, participants can choose to participate by submitting questions via Social Q&A or requesting the microphone to ask a question.

Programs are open to all, on a first-come first-served basis. RSVPs are not required, but are appreciated.

One Book One Northwestern: Romero’s artwork "Amber Morningstar" is featured in the Block’s forthcoming collection teaching resource inspired by the 2024-2025 One Book One Northwestern selection, "The Night Watchman" by Louise Erdrich. One Book One Northwestern is a university‐wide reading program that aims to engage the campus in a common conversation centered on a carefully chosen, thought-provoking book. The Block is proud to partner annually with One Book to explore the themes of this shared text, selecting artworks from the museum collection that can broaden discussions.