To Whom it May Concern:
I am writing a letter of support on behalf of Ms. Jo Owens Murray. I have known Ms. Murray for over six years. As the former Executive Director of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, I oversaw the acquisition of two sculptures by Ms. Murray for the Permanent Collection, following the enthusiastic response of our audiences to her works on exhibit in our Biennial. The further reaction of our adult Museum visitors and of the children during school tours was so animated that we decided to purchase a third work for our fine arts permanent art education collection. It also received very positive critical reviews.
Ms. Murray's sculptures have the uncanny ability to stimulate the most remarkable conversations among our visitors. Many will stand around her work and generate discussions on the found objects, colors, design, and subject matter. The social content of her presentations is clear and direct and speaks to an audience that is not accustomed to atypical visual vocabulary. After acquiring the sculptures, we had exhibited her work twice in Permanent Collection exhibitions and the sculptures have once again been requested by our docents and students to be on view during our 25th Anniversary celebration of the collection. Soon after, Dr. Graziella Marchicelli, the Museum's Fine Arts curator developed a two person exhibition including her work.
I am no longer the director of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, but continue to follow her career as the director of the El Paso Museum of Art. In fact, I am now the proud owner of one of the works, and continue to enjoy her sense of visual humor, whimsy, and social commentary through the artwork at my home.
I would highly recommend that you consider a show or the acquisition of her work, and I would be happy to speak with you at your convenience regarding Ms. Murray and her "girls."
Sincerely,
Michael A. Tomor
Ph.D
Director
El Paso Museum of Art