Re Building:
Celebrating the Role of the Permanent Collection in Building Up MoNA's Significance, Past and Present

August 5 - October 1, 2023

Re Building, from the Latin in re:  "in the matter of" or "regarding"

On the occasion of completing upgrades to the museum’s HVAC system and building’s roof, the exhibition Re Building celebrates the Museum of Northwest Art’s Permanent Collection and its role writ large in building up and cementing the reputation of the institution as a remarkable repository of the modern and contemporary trajectory of Northwest art.

Since its founding in 1981 by Art Hupy (1924 – 2003)—the museum’s first Director and Curator—MoNA has devoted resources to collecting and preserving artworks and cultural objects from the Northwest region for the enjoyment and appreciation of future generations. At the core of the collection is the seminal work of the ‘Big Four’: Guy Anderson, Kenneth Callahan, Morris Graves, and Mark Tobey who inspired by the landscape and unique quality of the light of the Skagit Valley, between the 1930s-1950s created works of lyrical beauty—as well as the work of a cadre of younger artists who felt the mystique of these Northwest Masters and in a renewed impetus carried their transcendental emotions and moody, misty approaches well into the 1990s.

Building upon the vision of Hupy, Susan Parke who served as MoNA’s Executive Director from 1990 to 2007, played a significant role in elevating the profile of the institution and establishing the Museum as a regional destination. During her tenure, Parke was instrumental in expanding the Museum’s permanent collection, growing its scope and breadth beyond the Northwest School to strategically reflect a broader swath of artistic sensibilities—equally defining the Northwest art scene.

William Cumming, "Return to Odysseus: Tribute to Nikos Kazantzakis," 1984, tempera on board, MoNA Permanent Collection, gift of Marshall and Helen Hatch

The past 15 years have seen the Museum’s collecting priorities shaped by new numerous factors, from world events to our evolving cultural and social values due to the accelerating interconnectedness between the regional art scenes and global realities. We have engaged deeply with contemporary art, with an eye to making the Collection become more broadly representative of the wealth of narratives in the region, encompassing diverse communities and lived experiences, such as Black, Latino, Asian American, LGBTQ+, and Indigenous artists. However, as one can imagine, there is work to be done in building a collection capable of instilling a sense of belonging in every visitor that walks into the galleries. This is a work in progress, where constant progress is the end goal.

Since MoNA’s early days, building the Permanent Collection has meant building the reputation of the Museum: as a resource entrusted to the care of the institution for the enjoyment of the community, the collection has been a cornerstone of building participation, building community and sense of belonging, building opportunities for learning from one another, and ultimately building together.

Today, MoNA’s Permanent Collection includes over 2,400 artworks ranging across all media and spanning from the early 1900s to the present. In its entirety, the collection speaks of key aspects of the rich artistic history of the Northwest and reflects the cultural sensibilities and shifts that have informed, and continue to inform, the experience of living in this region. As we celebrate better and safer conditions for the art, we are reminded that the Permanent Collection is a living document that honors our culture's past and continues to tell our story into the future.

View the Gallery Guide: online version or print version.