Fleming Museum Opened Catalyst Art Exhibition

The exhibit features new works created by sixteen University of Vermont studio art faculty members.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Fine Art

Fleming Museum Opened Catalyst Art Exhibition

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On September 16, 2026, the Fleming Museum of Art held the kickoff for its new Catalyst Art as Inquiry exhibition. The showcase highlights the diverse creative practices of sixteen University of Vermont faculty members.

Why it matters

The exhibition aims to foster innovative thought and academic exploration through artistic expression. It provides a platform for faculty to demonstrate the intersection of traditional techniques and modern inquiry.

The exhibition displays thirteen embroidered pillows by Meg McDevitt, each requiring fifty to sixty hours of labor. Works such as Misoo Bang's Heavenly Guardians-Lokopalas utilize stone pigments expected to last for thousands of years.

The players

Fleming Museum of Art

Located at the University of Vermont, this institution serves as a regional hub for art curation and academic study.

Mildred Beltré

A long-standing faculty member at the University of Vermont, she has contributed to the institution for seventeen years.

Heimo Wallner

An artist and faculty member known for experimental site-specific installations, he created a wall-based piece for the museum.

Meg McDevitt

A studio art educator whose work includes labor-intensive textile projects that require up to sixty hours per piece.

Micah Wood

An art instructor who teaches perspectives on painting and drawing at the University of Vermont.

The details

Artist Heimo Wallner contributed a piece titled Last Note, which he painted directly onto the museum wall using pitch-black china ink without preliminary sketches. The collection reflects the work of educators like Micah Wood, who teaches painting and drawing, and Mildred Beltré, who has held her faculty position for seventeen years.

The Fleming Museum held the exhibit kickoff on September 16, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This exhibition highlights the growing trend of academic institutions utilizing their own faculty to curate professional-level gallery experiences. By showcasing in-house talent, universities bridge the gap between classroom pedagogy and the broader professional art market.

Burlington residents and students can visit the museum to view these works and explore the creative techniques employed by faculty members. The exhibit provides a unique opportunity to engage with high-level art produced within the local academic community.

The takeaway

Artistic practice within an academic setting often requires significant patience, as seen in the dozens of hours dedicated to individual pieces. Exploring these faculty works offers insight into the rigorous research and technical mastery driving modern studio art.