As Director and Curator of Northern Michigan University's DeVos Art Museum, Emily Lanctot serves as both an educator and an arts advocate for the Upper Peninsula. Positioned as a free, year-round cultural hub for campus and the public, the museum balances contemporary national art with regional heritage, exemplified by its current "U.P. Focus" exhibition running through early November. This showcase features Marquette-based artists Kathleen Conover and Yvonne LeMire, former studio mates whose work intersects through shared compositional strategies, rich textural layering, and industrial motifs tied to the local landscape. Conover's globally recognized watercolor practice pairs alongside LeMire's found-object sculptures, giving visitors a chance to explore distinct mediums connected by a common regional backdrop.
Building on this collaborative theme, the museum is launching its "Duets" exhibition series in October, featuring painters Nina Rizzo from Chicago and Kevin Wixted from New York. The unique curatorial format gives participating artists agency to select a partner whose practice generates an engaging visual dialogue. Both Rizzo and Wixted begin their creative process with field observations before expanding those initial sketches into large-scale studio paintings marked by hazy atmospheres, structured spatial design, and lunar motifs. Alongside the exhibition, the museum is providing free hands-on public programming, including monoprinting workshops and interactive artist critiques hosted in the university's studio spaces.
Public Radio 90's Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Lanctot about the DeVos and its exhibits:
Beyond its public galleries, Lanctot emphasizes the museum's vital role in driving student achievement within NMU's School of Art & Design. Having a professional gallery on campus allows art students to study original physical works, gain exposure to diverse artistic careers, and build networks with visiting professionals. By offering direct access to nationally active creators while honoring the Upper Peninsula's artistic history, the DeVos Art Museum creates a space where both students and residents are encouraged to slow down and engage deeply with visual culture.
Fall 2026 DeVos Exhibitions:
- U.P. Focus: Kathleen Conover and Yvonne LeMire - Sept. 25th to Nov. 7th, 2026
- Duets: Nina Rizzo and Kevin Wixted - Oct. 9th to Dec. 12th, 2026
For more information, visit the DeVos Art Museum website.
