Spotlight: WSU art museum lures new curator

The Washington State University Museum of Art has hired a new curator and exhibit designer, Ryan Hardesty.

Hardesty will leave his position at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture to assume his new duties in Pullman.

“Ryan Hardesty is a perfect fit for this position,” said Kevin Haas, WSU fine arts professor and search committee member. “He is very experienced in managing exhibitions in a museum setting and expertly manages the complexities of handling artwork, coordinating staff and maintaining fixed deadlines. … Having worked at the MAC in Spokane, he brings a great deal of knowledge of the region, its history and its artists to WSU.”

Among the MAC exhibits Hardesty worked on were the blockbuster “Northwest Impressionists” show in 2011 and 2012’s “Dig It!”

In 2013, the WSU Museum of Art – buoyed by a $5 million donation from Oregon philanthropist Jordan Schnitzer – launched a capital campaign to build a new museum. Officials hope to have the $15 million needed in hand by July 2015.

Vacation reality

Spokane Realtors Chris and Marianne Bornhoft will be featured on an episode of “Sweet Retreats” on the Livewell Network next weekend.

The show, which aims to help people find the perfect vacation rental, is hosted by Rene Syler. The Bornhofts were visiting Whidbey Island and were asked to be guests on the show, Marianne Bornhoft said in an email.

The episode will air at 7:30 p.m. June 8 on Comcast channel 301.