Grinnell College Museum of Art Makes Debut at Venice Biennale
A collaboration rooted in campus scholarship reaches one of the world’s most prestigious art exhibitions.
Tim Schmitt
The Grinnell College Museum of Art (GCMoA) recently made its debut at the Venice Biennale — one of the most renowned international exhibitions in contemporary art.
The moment builds on the Museum’s 2024 presentation of William Villalongo: Myths and Migrations, the first touring exhibition of work by New York–based artist William Villalongo. Curated by Daniel Strong, associate director and curator of exhibitions at the museum, the project extended beyond campus through a richly illustrated catalogue and a national tour that included the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the University of Colorado Boulder Art Museum, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Now, that catalogue has taken on new life as Villalongo has incorporated it into a new work, I do not come to you as a reality, I come to you as the myth (2026), currently on view in Venice. The piece is featured in Chimera, an ambitious interdisciplinary installation presented by Denniston Hill, a residency and research initiative founded by artists Julie Mehretu and Paul Pfeiffer along with architect Lawrence Chua.
Chimera brings together works by 153 artists and reimagines the Surrealist game “Exquisite Corpse,” creating a layered, collaborative installation that reflects shared inquiry and creative exchange.
“We’re happy for William and for the Grinnell College Museum of Art to be a part of the Venice Biennale for the first time,” said Strong.
The inclusion underscores Grinnell’s commitment to advancing the arts through collaboration, research, and meaningful engagement. By supporting artists and producing scholarship that resonates far beyond campus, the museum continues to demonstrate how a liberal arts institution can contribute to global cultural conversations.
The exhibit runs through Nov. 22.