Christa Story never thought she’d move back to her hometown, but Beloit is a special place that is ideal for both family and career.
Story came to Beloit in 2016 as curator of the Wright Museum of Art, one of Beloit’s crown jewels. In 1930, the college partnered with the city of Beloit to fund the construction of the Wright Museum. Since then, the museum has undergone several renovations over the years.
The Wright Museum is home to approximately 6,000 objects, ranging from ancient Roman glass to contemporary works in paint and print. Although it’s mostly made up of European and American works, it also houses strong collections in Asian decorative arts, icons, and modern prints from around the world.
Prior to coming to Beloit, Story worked at the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Emile H. Mathis II Gallery (UWM). She earned her master’s in art history and curatorial studies at UW-Milwaukee.
Story wears many hats at the Wright Museum. “I am heavily involved in selecting exhibits to bring in, and also curating from our collections. I manage the ever-growing art collection, along with student assistants. For the past few years, I have added teaching to my schedule as well.”
Moving to Beloit appealed to Story for many reasons. “It was a return home, where my parents grew up and where much of my family and my husband’s family still live,” she says. “We get to watch our three kids grow up in a small yet diverse community rich in the arts.” All three of Story’s kids are proud Todd Timberwolves in first, third, and fourth grades, they love participating in Stateline Y sports, eating downtown, and frequenting the Farmer’s Market and public library. “The small size of Beloit allows for a strong sense of community,” Story says, “but it’s unique for a small town because there’s always something to do. We were hesitant to leave Milwaukee for that reason, and Beloit has proven to provide many of the entertainments of a big city, but in the comfort of a small town.”
That energy is evident at the Wright Museum through its collections, exhibitions, and community engagement. “We’re a teaching museum, working mostly with students,” Story says. “I get to work with students in various ways—they work at the museum, getting hands-on experience, which is very uncommon at an undergraduate level. I also have the privilege of teaching Art History and taking them to various museums.” At the end of the day, the results of these student-led practices allow the Wright Museum of Art to provide the local community with opportunities to interact and learn about visual arts.
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