Anne Roberts Morand

Anne Roberts Morand

1951-2013

Anne Morand. <strong></strong>Morand served as curator of art at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, since March 2010. She’d spent 32 years in the museum industry, garnering national recognition with industry awards and as an author of several art books.

“She was very versatile in her knowledge of not just Western art but the history of Native American fine art as well,” said Mike Leslie, assistant director of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

It was the depth of her knowledge of Western and American Indian art, her versatility as a curator and her unique vision that made her stand out from other candidates for the position.  “She brought just a fresh way of looking at our permanent collection,” Leslie said.

In fact, it was her reimagining of the William S. and Ann Atherton Art of the American West Gallery that Leslie said was likely her most significant contribution to the Museum during her short time as curator. “It’s a fresh look at what we had here for a long time.”

“Curious” is a word that came up repeatedly when people described Morand.  “That’s the perfect word, curious, interested in everything, including art,” said Norman Roberts, 90, Morand’s father. “I first detected it in Puerto Rico when we were there (Anne was about 13). My co-worker’s wife was an artist. Anne became quite interested and fascinated.”

Morand herself developed a passion for sketching and painting that would lead to her eventually to graduating from Washington University with a Master of Art in Art History in 1991.  Morand served as curator of art collections at the Gilcrease Museum from 1977 to 2003. At the CM Russell Museum in Great Falls, Mont., Morand served as associate director for programming/chief curator in 2004, and chief executive officer from 2004 to 2008.  Morand’s memorial service will be held at the museum, but the family has not set a date.

4 thoughts on “Anne Roberts Morand”

  1. Meeting Anne in 1974 in Chicago changed my life forever. We were introduced by mutual friends who were visiting Chicago with her. Because of her, my life and the lives of my two small sons changed for the good. She said come to Oklahoma you”ll love it and the boys will have such a good life there, so I did and we have been here ever since.

    Thank you Anne for always staying true to who you were. You will always be in my heart and the hearts of my sons.

    Lynn Gagliardo-Wallace
    Christopher Gagliardo
    Michael Gagliardo

  2. Deborah Burke

    Our friendship blossomed when I ordered a barbeque bologna sandwich at Knotty Pine. From then on we had lots of laughs, serious discussions, and shared books we’d read. Anne’s ability to devour a stack of books was amazing!

    I know we’ll meet again. Thanks, Anne, for being such an important part of my life.

    Deborah Burke

  3. Leslie Przybylek

    I was privileged to get to know Anne when I worked with her on projects through both the C. M. Russell Museum and then after she returned to Oklahoma. Her enthusiasm and passion for not just studying art but finding ways to help others understand and find meaning in it was rare and inspiring. What a wonderful spirit.

    Thank you, Anne, for your generosity and wisdom. You will be dearly missed.

    Leslie Przybylek

  4. Kristi Alexander

    Anne was my best and closest friend. Our love of art brought us together. Her insatiable curiosity for knowledge intrigued me and she never ceased teaching me. She was so unique, so unpretentious, and unaware of how she affected so many others’s lives. How to say in a few words how strong a presence someone had in your life?

    David was her rock and I wish him strength as he adapts to this loss.

    As much as I miss Anne today, I know our next meeting will be joyful and forever.

    Kristi Alexander

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