Growing up in Syracuse and being involved in the art community, I've been lucky to know of the Everson and have visited fairly often throughout grade school. To me it was a cornerstone in the community I loved, but I have recently come to realize how few people really know what a gift our community has had for decades.
Most people would be surprised to learn that Syracuse is home to one of the largest collections of ceramics in the United States, as well as home to one of the first museums to focus on American artists. This is the rich history we have been given and yet it seems hidden to many. This fact is even more surprising when you consider its hidden within a truly astonishing building.
The Everson as we now know it was designed by I.M. Pei, who wanted the building to be as much a piece of art as the work it holds inside. Sculpture is experienced "in the round" and so is the architecture presented here. Entrances are hidden and the building has protrudes in different ways as you wander about. Syracuse is one of the few places in the world blessed with not one, but two pieces by I.M Pei, a fact most would never have guessed.
These are the reasons I felt compelled to document my latest trip to the museum. I hadn't been back in a number of years, and in that time much has changed. The museum has recently gone under a renovation to modernize their exhibit spaces and it truly has provided a new experience for all who visit. As the progress continues, I hope to visit again to see where they take it from here. Due to the museum's policies I have only documented pieces in their permanent collection, but its important to note the museum has a very active visiting artist scene with some incredibly interesting pieces on display. I hope this video encourages people in the community, and anyone with plans to visit Syracuse, to explore this hidden gem that's not so subtly in front of our eyes.