The Oglethorpe University Museum of Art has announced the premiere of its 360-degree virtual tour. Fully immersive and high-definition, the tour allows the user to get up close to the exhibitions and learn more about each piece through informative pop-ups.

In March, OUMA closed its doors to in-person visitors due to COVID-19 precautions. With the future of several exciting exhibits in question, Museum Director Elizabeth Peterson started thinking about how to bring the intimate experience of the museum online.

With the new virtual tour, patrons can experience a broad collection of art currently on display at the museum in stunning quality. Each room of the museum is meticulously rendered; visitors can zoom in to get a close look at each of the pieces. The tour encourages users to take the time to absorb the art and explore the different galleries. And particularly thorough explorers may discover several Easter eggs among the several exciting exhibits!

Tavera’s exhibit “Paper Promises/Promesas de Papel” in the Shelley and Donald Rubin Gallery

“Promesas de Papel/Paper Promises” is a solo exhibition from Latinx artist, activist and independent curator Maria Cristina Tavera. Inspired by her transnational upbringing in Mexico and Minnesota, Tavera specializes in bold prints that draw from Latin American pop iconography. Her newest digital collection, titled “Powderhorn,” reflects on the sense of community she found amongst the chaos created by protests earlier this year. Themes of identity and culture are prevalent in this and all of her works.

Earlier this month, Tavera engaged in a conversation about her exhibit with two Oglethorpe students, Rebecca Castro ’22 and Claudia Fernanda Martinez ’22. The recording of the conversation is available on Oglethorpe’s YouTube channel.

“Textures of Our Lives,” is a selection of prints from mid-20th century artist Rufino Tamayo. Similarly to Tavera, Tamayo found inspiration in his Mexican heritage, creating colorful prints that captured a traditional vision of his home country.

In addition to these two exhibits, recent acquisitions for the permanent collection—OUMA Collects 2020—is on display in the Skylight Gallery. Atlanta-based artist Shanequa Gay’s “La Pieta” is among these works. In the Center Gallery is a collection of political cartoons from Herb Block.

“We are thrilled to debut this virtual tour,” says Peterson, “You see everything on view with beautiful high-res detail with plenty of additional information.”

Visit the OUMA website to explore this new, immersive tour.