NEWS: Southern Utah Museum of Art Welcomes Jessica Farling as Director/Curator (Cedar City)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 05/23/2017
Ashley H Pollock, Public Relations & Information Coordinator Office: (435) 865-8667
College of Performing and Visual Arts Cell: (435) 590-0961
Southern Utah University [email protected]
SUMA Welcomes Jessica Farling as Director/Curator
Southern Utah Museum of Art, Cedar City, Utah: Southern Utah Museum of Art is excited to
announce our new director/curator, Jessica Farling, coming to Cedar City on July 1, 2017. She
received her Master of Arts in Museum Studies from the University of Oklahoma. She focused
her studies on museum administration and museum education.
Farling began her career at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, located at the University of
Oklahoma, as a student employee working part-time in education. She became a full-time
museum educator and eventually took a position as the Director of Public Engagement.
Through these various roles, she has over seven years of experience in a number of areas and
has gained a better understanding of general museum operations.
Part of what drew her to SUMA was the mission to be a student-centered experiential learning
environment. She said, "Being a university museum, the SUU campus is an important part of
the community in which SUMA serves. Seeing that students were at the heart of SUMA's
mission, I knew that I could draw on my own experiences to inspire SUU students beginning
their own museum careers."
Farling fell in love with art and museums as a student in high school. She said, "I was a
sophomore when I took my first art history class and thought, 'I want to work in a museum!' I
find that museums are rejuvenating and even have a calming effect. Museums help us see the
world through a different lens. They show us other perspectives, cultures, and periods of time all
in one place. The way that I feel about art and museums is something that I want for everyone--
no matter their background!"
Cedar City is the perfect place for Farling to continue her career. She not only loves visual arts,
but the outdoors and performing arts as well. "My husband and I have traveled to Utah many
times. We love the outdoors: hiking, camping, fly fishing, and National Parks. We started a
National Park passport a couple of years ago and quickly filled the Rocky Mountain Region
because it is our favorite. Zion National Park is one of the most amazing places! In addition to
getting to work at SUMA, I cannot wait to see every production at the Utah Shakespeare
Festival. I also look forward to taking my National Park passport to Cedar Breaks National
Monument for a new stamp!"
We look forward to this next chapter with Jessica at the helm. Her vision and passion for
museums brings an excitement to the future of the museum. When asked about her plans as
she begins at SUMA, she said, "I am eager to meet everyone that played an integral role in
SUMA's start. I want to hear their ideas and aspirations for this newly-opened institution. This is
an exciting time for SUMA because we will shape the future of the museum and develop its
identity for future generations. I am honored to be leading the SUMA team!"