Surely We Are Essential
Images of Nursing in the Twentieth Century

March 24 - May 20
Graphics Gallery

PRESS RELEASE: "Surely We Essential: Images of Nursing in the Twentieth Century" on view at the Bayly Art Museum through May 20
  • WHAT:  An exhibition of images of nursing to honor the 100th anniversary of the University of Virginia's School of Nursing
  • WHEN:  Exhibition runs Saturday, March 24 through Sunday, May 20
  • WHERE:  Bayly Art Museum, Rugby Road, Charlottesville
  • Panel discussion:  Tuesday, March 27, 5:30 p.m., Campbell Hall, Room 153, and a tea reception and poetry reading by nursing alumna and poet Veneta Masson on Friday, April 20, at the Bayly.ÝReception and tea, 3-5 p.m., poetry reading at 4 p.m.
This selection of prints, photographs, posters and magazines focusing on nursing will be on display at the Bayly Art Museum to honor the 100th anniversary of the University of Virginia School of Nursing. The exhibition includes pieces by such masters of photography as W. Eugene Smith, Margaret Bourke-White and Weegee, and by powerful printmakers, including Kyra Markham. These artists found inspiration in the courage, talent, and compassion that make nurses among the few authentic heroes of our time.

The title of the exhibition comes from a poem by Veneta Masson, an alumna of the School of Nursing who has been both a poet and nurse. She will read her poetry at the tea reception on Friday, April 20.

A panel discussion with Arlene Keeling, associate director of the Center for Nursing; Johanna R. Drucker, Robertson Professor of Media; Phyllis Leffler, director of the Institute for Public History will be moderated by Stephen Margulies, curator of Works on Paper. The Tuesday March 27 panel discussion is at 5:30 p.m. in Campbell Hall, Room 153.

For more information and images, contact Stephen Margulies at (804) 924-3492.

EXHIBITION ANNOUNCEMENT:To honor the hundredth anniversary of the University of Virginia's School of Nursing, the Bayly Art Museum is exhibiting a selection of prints, photographs, posters and magazines whose subject matter is nursing. Some of the work will be lent and some comes from the Museum's collection. Many of the pieces are by masters of photography, such as W. Eugene Smith, Margaret Bourke-White, and Weegee, or by powerful printmakers, such as the mysterious Kyra Markham. It is not surprising that nursing should prove to be an inspiration for major artists, who see in it a combination of courage, talent, and compassion that make nurses among the few authentic heroes of our time. 

The title of the exhibition comes from a poem by Veneta Masson, an alumna of the School of Nursing who has been both poet and nurse. Special thanks go to the School of Nursing for its wonderful support and encouragement of this project and especially to alumna Jackie Brownfield for her inspriation and advice and Arlene Keeling, Associate Director of the Center for Nursing, for her insight, practical support and enthusiasm.

Photo Credit: 
Kyra Markham, American, 1891ö1967
"And He Said·," 1943
Lithograph, 12 1/8 x 9 3/4 " (image)
Museum Purchase, 2000.11
Contact: Stephen Margulies, Curator of Works on Paper
804/924-3592  Fax: 804/924-6321