Top 10 Memories: Julie Rodrigues-Widholm

Aug 6, 2015

Pedro Reyes, Leverage, 2006, Steel and powder-coated paint, 19 ½ x 31 ½ x 3 ½ ft., Courtesy of the artist and Yvon Lambert, New York/Paris, Installation view, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Photo: Michael David Rose, © MCA Chicago

Last week we had to say farewell to our valued colleague Julie Rodrigues-Widholm, who ended her 16-year tenure with the MCA to become the director of the DePaul Art Museum. Before Julie moved on to her new role, we ask her to share some her most memorable moments working at the MCA.

2. Tropicalia

In October 2005, live parrots in the galleries and dancing to samba music at the Tropicalia opening one week before having my first child

Installation view, Tropicalia, MCA Chicago, 2005
Photo: Michal Raz-Russo, © MCA Chicago

Tropicalia gala, October 2005
Photo: Michal Raz-Russo, © MCA Chicago

3. Brad Pitt

Almost riding the elevator with Brad Pitt when he was here to see Lee Bontecou’s exhibition

4. Cubs game

Rashid Johnson throwing the first pitch at a Cubs Game and seeing “Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago” on the scoreboard

Top 10 Memories: Julie Rodrigues-Widholm video still — Video

5. Cauleen Smith and the South Shore Drill Team

The South Shore Drill Team performing as Cauleen Smith’s Solar Flare Arkestral Marching Band in the museum’s atrium with the TCA wearing her custom capes

TCA Members with Cauleen Smith, 2012
Photo © MCA Chicago

6. Rudolf Stingel

Rudolf Stingel's orange carpet painting covering the 4th-floor lobby as part of Francesco Bonami's Universal Experience exhibition and Stingel covering up the walls of the atrium in foil during his solo exhibition