A View from the Coach’s Seat

The Williams College Museum of Art might seem like an unlikely playing field for head football coach Aaron Kelton, but that is exactly where you will see his vision on view in The Gallery of Crossed Destinies. Part of the museum’s reinstallation of its collection and galleries, The Gallery of Crossed Destinies explores how objects evoke stories and how these narratives change depending on how they are presented and who presents them.

Aaron Kelton at WCMACoach Kelton was asked by the museum staff to create his own narrative from a miniature “collection” of 25 artworks. Kelton, who uses inspirational quotations to motivate his players, brought that approach to his exhibition by pairing quotes with works in the gallery. Applying his coaching philosophy to curating the exhibition, Kelton explains, “I tried to look at the artwork as I do different parts of my profession and how these different parts influence me daily.  As a coach, I thought of how the art reflected my thoughts about athletics and how that perspective could influence and motivate the average person or fan. I believe that sharing my view of the exhibition as a guest curator will give fans a better understanding of a coach’s ability to lead and bring athletes to reach their full potential.”

“As a coach, we are often results-driven,” says Kelton. “This project has helped me to expand my creativity and will assist me in improving my ability to strategize as a coach.”

Coach Kelton on the football fieldCoach Kelton is the final of four guest curators invited by the museum to organize the exhibition in The Gallery of Crossed Destinies. The other guest curators were local florist Chad Therrien, a group of high school students from Mt. Greylock Regional High School, and Williamstown Theatre Festival Artistic Director Jenny Gersten.

A View from the Coach’s Seat will be on view at the Williams College Museum of Art through December 4, 2011.