The show is on display at The Gallery at Mountain Shadows in Paradise Valley, AZ, from April 3 – June 30
For the first time in his career as a professional artist, Assistant Professor of Art and Art History Rob Carter exhibited his work in a gallery housed within a hotel.
“My exhibition at Mountain Shadows Gallery is a new experience for me because it is a collaboration between a curator and a hotel. It is an unusual gallery location and represents the kind of venue I have become increasingly interested in — specifically, one that reaches beyond the typical gallery or museum-going public,” Rob said. “The exhibition space is located next to the reception area of the Mountain Shadows resort, and it is not a separate, enclosed space that a visitor must choose to enter. Instead, it is a large, dedicated hallway gallery leading to one half of the hotel facilities. Anyone staying or attending a conference will naturally pass through this space, encountering the exhibits along the way.”
“I was installing a large new wall drawing made of dyed sisal rope, as well as some very large photographs, so during the installation period, there was no hiding from the guests and staff,” Rob shared. “They got to see the installation process in detail, including changes and mistakes. But this also led to many great conversations with people curious about the work, its meaning, and the process, which I loved. The excitement of all the staff for the new exhibit was very evident, which was fun and gratifying.”
“Soy Drawing 8 (GMO),” pencil, fountain pen ink and soy plant ink on paper, 30 x 22 inches
“Soy Drawing 10 (GMO),” pencil, fountain pen ink and soy plant ink on paper, 22 x 15 inches
“Grand Nutation,” plants (sisal, weld, indigo) and steel pins, 9 x 12 feet
“Soy Drawing 4 (Organic),” pencil, fountain pen ink and soy plant ink on paper, 22 x 30 inches
“Plant Writing,” single channel 4K video, 8 minutes
Rob’s travel to Arizona, as well as the cost of shipping the photographs and installation elements of “Algae Farming,” will be covered by the College of Arts, Sciences & Education’s 2025 Theophilus S. Lynch Fund for Humanities, which provides grants to faculty in support of research and/or creative activities that will lead to published, refereed scholarship, or juried creative work related to humanities.
“For me, it’s a vital part of my teaching that I remain an active and engaged artist, making new work and gaining new experiences. There are so many layers to an experience like this that I will bring back into the classroom. Not least was meeting two amazing artists working with new media, Claire Blanchette and Cyd Peroni (new/ancient media: fungi and crystal structures),” Rob said. “In the Fall 2025 semester, I am teaching a class in publication and exhibition design. I have a lot of experience organizing exhibitions in traditional gallery spaces, but this was a new experience for me in terms of negotiating the use of a very public space, considering signage for visitors not expecting to encounter art, and curating/displaying artwork in a more open and active space; it was quite windy at times with the doors open! Many of the experiences and conversations I had in Arizona will certainly inform my teaching next semester and hopefully enhance my teaching and impact on my students.”
Interested in learning more about UM-Flint’s Art & Design programs? Check out our degrees in Fine Arts, Design, and Art Education.
