After completing installation of a new, state-of-the-art HVAC system, the University of Arizona Museum of Art (UAMA) reopens on Jan. 17 with a major survey of work by celebrated Tucson artist and University of Arizona Professor Emerita, Bailey Doogan.
The reopening also marks the museum’s move to free admission for all visitors — a transformative commitment to making world-class art more accessible to the broader community.
The exhibition, “Bailey Doogan: Ways of Seeing,” brings together selections from each phase of the artist’s career for the first time, highlighting her artistic processes and evolution. Featuring over 80 works, the majority from private collections, the exhibition offers visitors unprecedented insight into an artist whose influence extends from iconic commercial design to powerful contemporary, figurative work.
- Reception | Jan. 22 … Panel Discussion | Jan. 23
- Horror and Humor: Bailey Doogan and the Feminist Revolution, Feb. 6
- University of Arizona Museum of Art
- Acclaimed artist, professor Bailey Doogan dies (July 2022)
“This is a pivotal moment for the museum,” said Chelsea Farrar, UAMA Interim Director. “The combination of upgraded environmental controls, free admission and this extraordinary exhibition of Bailey Doogan’s work positions us to serve our community in ways we’ve only dreamed of. We’re not just reopening the museum — we’re opening doors to everyone.”
Among the exhibition’s highlights is Doogan’s connection to one of America’s most enduring commercial icons. Before becoming a celebrated fine artist and educator, she designed the Morton Salt Girl, a symbol that has remained virtually unchanged for decades and continues to appear on millions of tables nationwide. Doogan’s large pastel drawing Pour It On (1998) reimagines her creation through a mature lens, offering provocative commentary on commercial imagery, gender and artistic identity.
Frequently painting her own body at a monumental scale and with unflinching detail, Doogan draws attention to aspects of the female form that society typically avoids or conceals, challenging artistic conventions and opening new conversations about representation, beauty standards and the power of self-examination in art.
“I deal with the real body,” she once explained. “Our bodies are diaries of our experience. Whatever happens to us is recorded there: wrinkles, scars, the way we stand. That specificity fascinates me. I think it’s beautiful.”
Professor Emerita
Doogan initially taught graphic design at the University of Arizona School of Art, eventually rising to Professor of Design, Painting and Drawing. She retired from the university in 1999 after 30 years and remained a vital part of Tucson’s arts scene until her death in 2022.
The “Ways of Seeing” public reception takes place on Jan. 22 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., and the exhibition runs through April 4 of this year. It is part of a broader effort to highlight Doogan’s work in collaboration with Etherton Gallery, whose companion exhibition, “Close to the Bone” runs from Jan. 20-March 28.
Free Admission for All
The UAMA’s shift to free admission underscores its commitment to increased accessibility. Those on campus have always had free admission. Now the broader community will enjoy that benefit, eliminating financial barriers for all. This change will enhance UAMA’s contributions to the vibrant and creative culture of Tucson and Southern Arizona, reinforcing its role as a public resource where art can inspire, educate and connect people across backgrounds.
For more information about the “Ways of Seeing” exhibition, related programming, visiting hours and more, please visit artmuseum.arizona.edu or call 520-621-7567.
About the University of Arizona Museum of Art
UAMA is a unit of Arizona Arts at the University of Arizona, which serves as the cultural heart of both the campus and greater Tucson community. Offering transformative experiences through world-class exhibitions, educational programming and a permanent collection that spans centuries, the museum engages broad audiences, inspires critical dialogue, and champions art as essential to our lives.