CSU, UW Border War to include wager between art museums
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Stacy Nick
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The university art museums at Colorado State University and University of Wyoming are joining this year’s Border War and placing a bet in the form of an art loan. Gregory Allicar Museum of Art and University of Wyoming Art Museum have each wagered an important work from their collection, and the winning museum will get to keep the loser’s artwork on display until the end of the academic year in May.
The classic Mountain West rivalry known as the “Border War” usually pits athletic teams against each other in a tradition that goes back to the nineteenth century. This year, CSU will host the game on Friday, Nov. 15 in Campus Stadium with winners keeping a Bronze Boot until the next showdown.
In homage to the Bronze Boot, both museums have chosen a work from their rival’s collection for the wager. If Colorado State University wins, Gregory Allicar Museum of Art will keep Beth Van Hoesen’s Pale Horse (1991) from the University of Wyoming. If the University of Wyoming wins, University of Wyoming Art Museum will display Roxanne Swentzell’s sculpture Mask Maker (1994).
This friendly bet is inspired by other wagers between art institutions like Denver Art Museum and Seattle Art Museum’s Super Bowl rivalry in 2014.
“It’s already been a win for us by getting to know each other and each other’s fabulous collections better,” said GAMA Director Lynn Boland. “There really isn’t a loser here. But still, go Rams!”
Together, staff from GAMA and UWAM will visit both museums on Monday, Nov. 18, when the final loan is scheduled to be delivered.
“While this is a great opportunity to share artwork between our two institutions, our audiences will miss seeing a signature piece at the losing museum, so let’s go Pokes!” said Nicole Crawford, UWAM director and chief curator.
About the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art
The Gregory Allicar Museum of Art invites individuals to engage with art and each other to inspire fresh perspectives and wonder. The museum is a catalyst for visual literacy and critical thinking that instills a passion for learning. For updated museum information, go to artmuseum.colostate.edu.