Q and A: Mark Roosa, Pepperdine鈥檚 Dean of Libraries and Interim Director of the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art
As the spring semester unfolds, new opportunities for learning and engagement are emerging across Pepperdine鈥檚 campus. At the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, a recently launched exhibition highlights works from the University鈥檚 permanent collection, showcasing the diversity and experimental spirit of the modernist movement. Alongside new curatorial initiatives, the museum is prioritizing community-centered programming and deeper academic collaborations, positioning itself as a dynamic hub for creativity and scholarship.
To learn more about this vision, the University Newsroom spoke with interim director and dean of Pepperdine Libraries Mark Roosa about his goals for the museum, his plans to engage both the campus and the broader arts community, and how he hopes to strengthen the museum鈥檚 role as a resource for student learning.
Q: How has your experience leading Pepperdine Libraries prepared you to serve the Weisman Museum, and in what ways will your background in cross-institutional preservation shape your strategic vision for the museum?
Roosa: I have had the great good fortune to work with an outstanding team of library faculty and staff to craft our libraries to be places of engagement, social interaction, and discovery. An important part of this work has been to develop our special collections and archives and to place artifactually significant items in the hands of students to enhance their learning and research experiences. Related to this work has been a concentrated focus on designing and curating exhibitions in the Payson Library on a wide range of topics representing broad artistic points of view. This work requires careful attention to the preservation and conservation needs of the objects entrusted to us. Prior experience as Chief of Conservation at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens and as Director for Preservation at the Library of Congress, has provided me with knowledge that translates nicely across libraries and museums. This background also informs my strategic thinking as we move into the future with the Weisman Museum.
Q: At Payson Library, you helped curate a number of exciting art exhibitions. What guides the selection process as you design a potential installation?
Roosa: The selection of exhibits is one of the most enjoyable aspects of our public facing services. It is a collaborative effort that involves reviewing artist鈥檚 portfolios, visiting local institutions, studying institutional websites, and speaking with friends and colleagues in the art world. We are always on the lookout for exhibits that will resonate with our community and 鈥� since the Payson Gallery also serves as a study area 鈥� we especially look for exhibits that can be enjoyed by students as they go about their work and interact with one another.
Q: The Weisman has long served as a point of introduction to Pepperdine for members of the arts community who may not otherwise be familiar with the University. How do you hope the museum will continue to engage and welcome the broader arts community throughout the region?
Roosa: We are tremendously excited to continue to be a front door to campus for those new to Pepperdine, but also be a place of exploration, discovery and creativity for students, faculty and the Pepperdine community generally. The museum has developed numerous outreach programs and we expect to continue to offer these in the period ahead. Additionally, we are excited to work with local artists such as Ruth Pastine, whose work we will feature this spring in the Weisman.
Q: In what ways did the museum鈥檚 varied collections influence the theme of A Modern Look, and why was it important to highlight these works at this moment?
Roosa: The Weisman collection is a rich and varied collection of works from the modern period. We decided that this exhibit should highlight some of the iconic modern pieces in the collection, such as the Albers, and the Warhol works, alongside works by significant California artists. In our selection we were mindful to cover as many styles as we could so that visitors could experience the many streams of modernism.
Q: What are your priorities for the Weisman Museum in the coming months?
Roosa: In the coming months we will be working with the studio arts faculty and their students to mount the annual senior thesis exhibition. We are delighted and honored to work with these artists and to see that their works are represented in the best possible light for the enjoyment of museum visitors. Following this exhibit we will host an exhibition of Ruth Pastine鈥檚 striking works.
Q: In what ways do you see our students benefiting from engaging with the Weisman Museum?
Roosa: It is our hope that each of the museum exhibitions serve as learning resources for our students. We strongly believe that the more exposure students have to historic and contemporary works the more their academic experience will be enriched.