Press Release

October 5, 2021

Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 

MEDIA CONTACT: Virginia McInnis | [email protected] | 480-874-4663

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art to Present Full Arc of Beverly McIver’s Career  

Beverly McIver, Clown Portrait, 2018, Oil on canvas, 45 x 34 inches, Collection of Billie Tsien and Tod Williams, New York

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) presents a multi-gallery survey show that captures the career arc and continued ascent of contemporary artist Beverly McIver. The exhibition “Beverly McIver: Full Circle” is on view from Feb. 12 to Sept. 4, 2022. 

“Beverly McIver: Full Circle” presents a survey of 50 works that demonstrate the diversity of the artist’s thematic approach to painting. This exhibition provides viewers with a look at how McIver’s work has evolved since her emerging artist exhibition at SMoCA nearly 25 years ago.  

Kim Boganey, director of Scottsdale Public Art, is curating the exhibition, her first at SMoCA since “HairStories” debuted there in 2003. 

“I am honored to see ‘Beverly McIver: Full Circle’ open at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art,” Boganey said. “It truly is a full-circle moment, given SMoCA was one of the first arts institutions in the West to recognize the importance of Beverly’s artwork back in 1998. Beverly’s artwork is now known nationally and is in many notable museum and personal collections, but this is an opportunity to celebrate her journey here in Arizona.” 

On view will be artworks from self-portraits that explore expressions of individuality, intimate portraits of family members, and portraits of other artists and notable figures. The exhibition features some of McIver’s more beloved artworks, including several series in their entirety and works that have not been on public display. Visitors can also experience McIver’s more recent works, including those created during her year spent in Rome as a fellow with the American Academy’s Rome Prize. 

The tactile nature of oil paints, combined with McIver’s knowledge of paint and tremendous use of color, creates works that are visually seductive. Additionally, she is a great storyteller, which is what connects viewers to her paintings. The audience sees themselves and their stories, in her artwork.   

A complementary exhibition, “In Good Company,” will include artists who have mentored McIver, such as Faith Ringgold and Richard Mayhew, as well as those who have studied under her, including Melissa Button, Claudio Dicochea, Chris Santa Maria and Lamar Whidbee, to name a few. Critical to McIver’s belief is the desire to pay it forward — much like what was done to pave the way for her — to ensure that the next generation (or two) of artists have the tools that are needed to succeed in a competitive world.    

“I hope museumgoers walk away with a greater appreciation for her work as a master painter, an understanding of the journey she has traveled as an African American woman artist and her gift as a visual storyteller,” Boganey said. 

Beverly McIver says it’s an honor to return to SMoCA, where she had her debut exhibition in 1998 as an emerging artist. 

“It has been years since I have seen several of the artworks that will be on view. Also included in this exhibition are artworks from my mentors and students I have had the opportunity to mentor that will give viewers an unprecedented look into the evolution of an artist’s career,” McIver said.  

A hardback, full-color, 128-page catalog, published by University of California Press, will accompany the exhibition. It will include a conversation between McIver and Boganey and essays by leading Black feminist writer Michele Wallace — daughter of McIver’s graduate school mentor Faith Ringgold — and distinguished scholar of African American art history Richard Powell. Accompanying the exhibition is a significant lineup of programs to include an artist talk, panel discussion, film screening, dance performance and tours. 

“Beverly McIver: Full Circle” is curated by Kim Boganey, director of Scottsdale Public Art. This exhibition is generously supported by presenting sponsor Wells Fargo. Additional support is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.  
 
SMoCA would also like to thank its 2022 season sponsors:
Billie Jo and Judd Herberger
Airpark Signs & Graphics
S. Rex and Joan Lewis Foundation
Tamar Weiss, in memory of Emil Weiss

“Beverly McIver: Full Circle” will be traveling to these institutions:

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art Dec. 8, 2022 – March 26, 2023  
Gibbes Museum of Art April 28 – Aug. 4, 2023 


Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, Noon – 1 p.m. Exhibition Press Preview: Media are invited to preview the exhibition “Beverly McIver: Full Circle” from noon to 1 p.m in advance of the Scottsdale Arts ONE Member opening reception and public opening later that day. Registration required for all who wish to attend, please email  [email protected] .

Kindly note that this is a viewing only for press contacts. If you would like to request an interview or permission to film or photograph at the Museum, please email  [email protected] .


SCOTTSDALE ARTS
Through its partnership with the City of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts (formerly known as Scottsdale Cultural Council) creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational opportunities that foster active, lifelong community engagement with the arts. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multi-disciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through four acclaimed branches — Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation — serving more than 600,000 participants annually. In conjunction with the City of Scottsdale, we also host more than 200,000 people annually on our campus through a robust rentals program. 

SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Founded in 1999, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) explores the best of contemporary art, architecture and design. Global in its focus, the Museum is a unique and vital cultural resource for the Southwest, serving local audiences as well as visitors from the United States and abroad. Designed by award-winning architect Will Bruder, SMoCA’s minimalist building (an ingenious renovation of a former movie theater) has four galleries for showcasing changing exhibitions and works from the Museum’s collection, along with SMoCA Lounge, a living, functional art installation and space for community engagement. The Museum presents a wide variety of educational programs and special events for adults and families, including lectures, readings, performances, docent-led tours, workshops and classes. SMoCA also features an outdoor sculpture garden housing James Turrell’s “Knight Rise,” one of the renowned artist’s public skyspaces, and “Scrim Wall,” a monumental curtain of translucent glass panels by James Carpenter Design Associates. The Museum’s retail store, Shop@SMoCA, offers classic design objects and furnishings, contemporary jewelry, art and architecture books, and imaginative gifts for all occasions. 

VISITOR INFORMATION 

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 
7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 
www.SMoCA.org 
www.SMoCA.org/reopening-guidlines 
480-874-4666 
[email protected] 

HOURS  
Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
Thursday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 
Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
 
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and major holidays. 

ADMISSION 
$10 non-members, $7 students, seniors (65+) and veterans; free for ONE Members and patrons 18 and under 

Free every Thursday and every second Saturday of the month 

MEDIA:  

Digital images can be downloaded on SmugMug. Password: ScottsdaleArts2022 

For interviews or additional information, please contact: 

Virginia McInnis
Public Relations Specialist
Scottsdale Arts 
Phone: 480-874-4663  
Email:  [email protected]  

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