The Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) proudly announces the recent appointment of Timothy Peterson as the inaugural Ann and Irving Norry Curator of Contemporary Art. This prestigious position was established through a generous gift by Deborah Ronnen in honor of her parents, Ann and Irving Norry, lifelong collectors and advocates for visual arts. Peterson, a distinguished curator with a history of championing innovative artists, will oversee MAG’s contemporary collection, lead acquisitions, curate exhibitions, and author critical scholarship.
Peterson’s arrival coincides with his role as juror for the highly anticipated 69th Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition (RFLX), the region’s longest-running juried showcase of artists from Western and Central New York. Open to artists across 27 counties, RFLX serves as a platform for emerging and established talents working in all media. The biennial exhibition will be on view at MAG from June 28 through October 5, 2025, highlighting the region’s dynamic artistic community. Submissions for the highly competitive exhibition closed on Sunday, February 16, and surpassed 800 individual artists from around New York State. Artists with accepted works will be notified by Friday, February 28.
“I am honored to join the Memorial Art Gallery and immerse myself in Rochester’s vibrant cultural landscape,” said Peterson. “Serving as juror for RFLX presents an incredible opportunity to engage with local and regional artists and celebrate the creative excellence of New York State.”
About Timothy Peterson
Peterson joins MAG following an esteemed career, most recently serving as Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. His leadership there built upon his extensive curatorial expertise, which includes prior roles as Director and Curator of Franklin Art Works in Minneapolis and Chief Curator at the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah. Over the years, Peterson has played a pivotal role in presenting groundbreaking exhibitions by acclaimed artists such as Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Kehinde Wiley, Christian Marclay, Shinique Smith, and Paula Mpagi Sepuya.
“This is an exciting moment for MAG as we inaugurate a new position that will ensure our relevance into the future,” said Sarah Jesse, MAG’s Mary W. and Donald R. Clark Director. “We are grateful for this transformational gift to endow this position in memory of Ann and Irving Norry. With his deep knowledge of contemporary art and extensive curatorial experience, Timothy is uniquely positioned to introduce new audiences to the art of our time and connect living artists to the rich history of visual culture.”
Over the past decade, MAG has significantly expanded its contemporary art holdings, with recent acquisitions of works by artists including Nick Cave, Rashid Johnson, Mickalene Thomas, and Grayson Perry. The museum has also built a growing collection of time-based media, featuring pieces by Isaac Julien, Bill Viola, and Nam June Paik. With Peterson at the helm of contemporary programming, MAG is poised to further its mission of fostering meaningful dialogue between contemporary artists and audiences.