Portland Art Museum’s Bruce Guenther Retiring After 14 years

Monday, September 15, 2014

Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Chief Curator Bruce Guenther Photo Credit: Portland Art Museum

The Portland Art Museum announced Monday that chief museum curator, Bruce Guenther, would be retiring after 14 years. Guenther’s last day will be October 20, during the opening of his latest exhibition, In Passionate Pursuit: The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Collection and Legacy.

During his time, Bruce Guenther has presented more than 20 exhibits, was responsible for the addition of more than 4,000 works art to the museum's collection and curated dozens of special exhibitions, according to museum spokeswoman Beth Heinrich.

“It has been an honor to have worked with Bruce," said museum director Brian Ferriso. "As chief curator, he has played a critical role in helping define not only our modern and contemporary program, but also our larger curatorial vision and aspirations. His years of experience, knowledge, and deep commitment have left an indelible imprint upon our institution and community. Bruce will be missed."

Guenther began his journey at the Portland Art Museum in the early 1970s as a National Endowment for the Arts curatorial intern. He then went on to be a curator at the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and was chief curator of the Orange County Museum of Art. Guenther came back to PAM in 2000, Heinrich said.

The Museum will launch an international search for a chief curator and curator of modern and contemporary art.

For more information about Bruce Guenther click here.