Peter Caty/the Mirror
The Mirror interviewed Jill Deupi, Bellarmine Museum Director and Assistant Professor of Art History.
For the past six years, a small staff of Art History faculty has been working to open the Bellarmine Museum in Bellarmine Hall (pronounced Bell-er-min not Bell-er-mine), Fairfield’s signature building. The Bellarmine Mansion which is now home to a museum of over 75 pieces, spanning anywhere from the Renaissance to pre-Columbian eras, is eagerly awaiting the opening of the new museum in October. The museum will host new pieces from around the world, which will complement the articles that the University already had in its possession.
The Mirror: It is impressive that Fairfield now has its own art museum. How will it be used by the students?
Jill Deupi: Some professors from different departments have already contacted me and are eager to visit the museum with their classes, specifically classes in the Religious Studies and Art History programs. There are currently four Art History classes here in the museum’s classrooms, and more classes are being scheduled here for upcoming semesters. Also, the Graduate School is hosting a “Night at the Museum”, giving graduate students an opportunity to bring their children to first, watch the Ben Stiller movie then, to take a tour of the actual museum.
TM: What pieces does the museum hold? Do we have the capacity to hold additional pieces of art?
JD: The museum currently holds 38 plaster casts, 10 paintings, 20 pieces from Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met), and 17 non-western pieces, which are currently being held in the display cases in the ground floor of Canisius. The museum does have more capacity to hold new pieces and we are excited about the potential of growth that we have.
TM: Are all of your displays permanent or are some temporary?
JD: Not all of our exhibits are permanent. The Met loaned Fairfield 20 pieces, some of which will be returned in two years, some returned in four.
TM: What is the museum’s most prized possession? Why?
JD: There is not one specific piece that is prized over others. We don’t rank things by dollar value, except for insurance purposes. We are featuring 10 paintings, which are a gift from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation¸ two paintings from the 14th and two from the 15th century, which are irreplaceable and priceless to the museum.
TM: With the opening of the museum less than a month away and six years of planning and work behind you and your team, what are your feelings about this day finally being here?
JD: This is so hugely exciting to me! I have only been involved for two years, my predecessor was the head of the project for over four years but I’ve been on board this whole time. Watching this museum go from blueprints to actually being a reality has been incredible. Everything from placing the pieces in the museum to choosing carpets and paint colors has given me a huge sense of gratification.
TM: Is admission to the museum free for students? For the public?
JD: The museum is free for anyone.
TM: Do other universities have comparable museums?
JD: Many, many other schools have museums that feature many fine arts. For example, Yale has two that feature impressive art, so we are excited to have this museum on campus.
TM: Are there work-study positions available here?
JD: We do offer work-study, specifically on security detail, however all our positions are full for this semester.
TM: On campus, Bellarmine Hall has the reputation of “the building no one has been in.” Is it really as mysterious as everyone thinks?
JD: No not at all, come on in! Hopefully this museum helps to change that reputation. We would love nothing more for students to come and go daily and this to become an integral part of campus!
TM: If you could leave the students with just one thought about your museum, what would it be?
JD: I want this museum to serve as a resource for everyone. This is really a museum that could speak to anyone, specifically to the 21st century mind. Students who see the museum give us a platform for feedback, allowing us to respond to the students.
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