Mary Bower is retiring as executive director for the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science after more than 45 years of service.
According to Bower, the museum has changed dramatically over that time.
“The collections have grown tremendously,” she said. “We've grown the building at least twice — a major addition in 1985. And then the addition of the Koch Immersive Theater, and Planetarium in 2014.”
She said she’s had the privilege of working with many artists and collectors through the years. One of her favorite collaborations was with the art faculty at the University of Southern Indiana (USI) in 2015. On the occasion of the university's 50th anniversary, they did a series of exhibitions of the five full-time art faculty members and many of their students.
Bower was hired shortly after graduating from college in September of 1978 as Curator of collections by former Executive Director John Streetman.
She was curator of collections for 30-plus years, and interim director when Streetman retired. She was chief curator in 2014 and director in 2018.
Her husband David Bower, USI Vice President, is also retiring. They wanted to retire simultaneously to travel and spend time with family.
For her photo to accompany this story online, as a setting, Bower chose a particular gallery of pieces she’s most proud of.
“This is a gallery filled with purchase awards from our Mid States Art and Craft exhibitions,” she said. “These are annual exhibitions that we've been doing for over 60 years. And through the generosity of many people were able to purchase works each year.”
This museum has three focuses — arts, history and science. Considering her background, one can’t blame her for favoring art, at least a little.
“Well, my background is in 'art history,'” she said with a laugh. “ But I love history. And I have come to learn so much through our science exhibitions and through the planetarium. So I'm very fond of all three disciplines."
“There are not very many multidisciplinary museums in the country. And so to have all three art history and science, it's a great opportunity for our community in our region, or school corporations. It's a great resource.”
Bower thinks the concept of ‘quality of place’ and ‘quality of life are important issues for a community.
“And to have a museum and to have the variety of museums that Evansville has not only the Evansville Museum of Art History and Science, but CMOE (Children's Museum of Evansville) the Reitz Home, the African American Museum, the Wartime Museum, Angel Mounds, New Harmony, I mean, we are very fortunate to live in such a culturally blessed region."
Bower is still working at the museum, such as on grants right before the interview. She’ll stick around long enough to ease the new Executive Director Jennifer Evans into the job.
