Torbert helps stage 'American Watercolor'

Doctoral candidate Amy Torbert writes:

"As the 2016-17 Barra Fellow in the Center for American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, I had the enormous privilege of working on the exhibition American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent, on view March 1 to May 14, 2017. Curated by Kathy Foster, this show brings together 175 watercolors from 75 different lenders to explore the changing reputation of the medium in America from 1866 to 1925. During the autumn, I assisted in the preparation of the catalogue and the supplemental research resources, building on research carried out by former Barra fellow Jenny Stettler Parsons (BA '06). The installation of the show over the past few weeks was nothing short of thrilling. Each day felt a bit like Christmas morning as crates were opened to reveal their treasures inside. These weeks were also filled with 'other duties as assigned,'​ such as determining which fake plants looked most realistic for the Salon Gallery and cutting to-scale mock-ups of all watercolors in the exhibition from large rolls of brown paper (a task that couldn't have been accomplished without fellow PMA fellow Rosalie Hooper (WPAMC '16)). I encourage all to come see this extraordinary exhibition, which will not travel to any other venues. And please be in touch if you do -- I'm currently searching for excuses to spend every waking moment of the next 2.5 months in the galleries!"