Chrysler Museum of Art Names Irene Leache Curator of European Art

NORFOLK, Va., January 21, 2024—The Chrysler Museum of Art is proud to welcome Mia Laufer, Ph.D., as the new Irene Leache Curator of European Art. Following an extensive nationwide search, Laufer officially joined the Chrysler Museum on January 13, 2025.

In this role, Laufer will oversee the research, interpretation, display, and stewardship of the Museum’s collection of European art before 1945. She will also develop and organize temporary exhibitions in the same area.

“Mia impressed me with her wide-ranging knowledge of European Art, but more importantly with her commitment to sharing that knowledge in a compelling and accessible way—she’s a natural storyteller,” said Mark A. Castro, Director of Curatorial Affairs. “We’re excited to have her join the Chrysler Museum’s staff.”

As a specialist in 19th- and early 20th-century art, Laufer brings a wealth of experience to the Chrysler Museum. Most recently, she served as a curator at the Des Moines Art Center in Iowa, where she reinstalled galleries dedicated to the long nineteenth century and organized exhibitions ranging from Dutch Golden Age prints to contemporary Caribbean art. She has also held positions at the Minnesota Museum of American Art in St. Paul and the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT. Laufer earned her doctorate in art history and archaeology from Washington University in St. Louis and her bachelor’s degree in art history from New York University.

“I am so thrilled to join the team at the Chrysler and work with the Museum’s incredible collection to tell stories about the complexity and diversity of European art,” Laufer said.

Laufer’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Chrysler Museum’s European art galleries. Her expertise and passion for storytelling are sure to bring an engaging experience and fresh perspective to this area of the collection.

ABOUT THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART

The Chrysler Museum of Art brings art and people together through experiences that delight, inform, and inspire. Internationally recognized for its collection of more than 35,000 objects, including one the largest glass collections in America, the Museum also includes free admission, the state-of-the-art Perry Glass Studio, a full-service restaurant, shop, theater, works on paper space, and oversees the historic Myers House. The Museum boasts an ambitious schedule of exhibitions, events, and programs, and has been nationally recognized for its commitment to inclusion through its innovative gallery host program. For more information, visit chrysler.org. Follow on social media @ChryslerMuseum to receive the latest updates.

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