In addition to serving a more traditional research mission, the MSU Excavations at Isthmia also seeks to function as a place of creative inspiration. After all, much of what is uncovered at an archaeological excavation is considered artwork worthy of a place in a museum. In addition, many of the ways archaeologists document their fieldwork and discoveries draw on techniques that are artistic in nature.
In recognition of this connection between art, design and archaeology, we support the following initiatives.
For more information about any of these events or programs, or to propose a collaborative venture of your own, please contact Jon Frey at freyjona@msu.edu
Ceramics Arts in Greece
Since 2023, the MSU Department of Art, Art History and Design has collaborated with the MSU Excavations at Isthmia and the Global Arts Studio in Corinth to sponsor a study abroad program focused on the history and creation of ceramic art in Greece. Over the course of three weeks, students from Michigan State University examined first hand a wide variety of works in clay–from amphoras, to figurines, to rooftiles and bricks–at a number of different archaeological sites and museums in Greece. At the same time, they enjoyed the use of the ceramics facility at the Global Arts Studio, where they explored new techniques and new directions for their own creative work. They also collaborated with Greek art students who were enrolled at Global Arts Studio.
Upon their return to Michigan, the students launched into an intensive period of making that resulted in the exhibition “Lasting Impressions.” to see the digital companion to this show, click here.
To see the 2024 exhibition, “A Passed Present / A Present Past,” click here.
To see the 2023 exhibition, “In Exchange for the Fire,” click here.
To learn more about this study abroad opportunity, click here.
Photography Exhibitions
In 2021, photographer and media specialist Daniel Trego collaborated with the MSU Excavations at Isthmia to record educational content for online courses in art and archaeology. In addition, he captured many other moments in the daily life of an excavation. This resulted in exhibitions of his photography both in East Lansing, Michigan in December 2021 and in the archaeological museum of the site of Isthmia the following spring and summer. To see the digital companion to this exhibition, click here.
In 2021, MSU took responsibility for managing the research archive of Timothy Gregory. The first effort in overseeing this collection was the digitization of Gregory’s collection of over 30,000 35mm color slides. As part of this effort the Gregory Archive collaborated with students in Prof. Rebecca Tegtmeyer’s Data Visualization Graphic Design class in the Department of Art, Art History and Design at MSU. These students were given the challenge of visualizing the data from Gregory’s slide collection in innovative ways. The results of their work were displayed in the Isthmia Museum in 2025. To visit the Gregory Archive, click here.
Artist In Residence
In light of the success of these creative ventures, the MSU Excavations has embarked upon a program to actively support the work of artists at the site through an artist in residence program. For more information, please contact Jon Frey at freyjona@msu.edu
