Pilgrims in a Fable / A Survey of the Work of Robert C. Mueller

"Pilgrims in a Fable / A Survey of the Work of Robert C. Mueller"
Guest curator: Phil Sanders
Gary R. Libby University Gallery, University Galleries, The University of Florida

Exhibition dates: September 5 – October 31, 2025
Gallery Talk: Thursday, September 4 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Opening reception: Friday, September 5 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Curated by Phil Sanders and organized by Steve Mueller in collaboration with the University Galleries, this is the first exhibition survey of Robert C. Mueller’s work. Mueller, who received his B.F.A from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, in 1985, and his M.F.A from the Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, in 1988, was an Associate Professor of Printmaking and area coordinator of the printmaking program at the University of Florida for 30 years.

This survey presents a collection of sketchbooks, artist books, prints, and mixed media works, each representing a different period in the artist’s artistic evolution, accompanied by relevant documents such as videos that show Mueller’s unique artistic process.

According to Sanders, who was Mueller’s student at UF’s School of Art and Art History, for Mueller collaboration is an integral part of art making, and that’s one of the focuses of the exhibition.

“Mueller,” Sanders continues, “as much a storyteller as a visual artist, is best understood in context with the stories and mythologies that surround the works. These stories are told through the artist’s and his collaborators’ narratives presented alongside the works with all the artist books available for visitors to handle and experience firsthand. This survey highlights the artist’s journey, the legacy of a teacher, and the dedication of a pilgrim in search of sacred places where we find that through art we are never alone.”

According to Steve Mueller, the artist’s brother and main promoter of this exhibition, “In an essential way Bob is an artist of nature, which makes his subject matter larger than himself, and, in his hands, part of himself.” His art connected to his travels to the American Southwest, Iceland, and Florida, is also a trip, a “trip’s worth it,” as his brother stated.

The artist, the organizer, and the University Galleries are thankful to Gabe Hoar and Liz Born from Hoofprint Studios for their contribution to make this exhibition happen.

A catalog with a curatorial introduction, an essay on recent works, artist’s bio, a complete list of artworks, and fully illustrated will be available towards the end of the exhibition.

Additional information
The graduate program in Art History at the University of Florida offers a global art history program covering a breadth of content from across time and space. The program also offers a graduate certificate in curatorial studies. For more information, please visit: https://arts.ufl.edu/academics/art-and-art-history/programs/art-history/degrees-ways-to-study/


About University Galleries
The University of Florida University Galleries’ mission is to be a platform for relevant and experimental art research and a place where pressing contemporary conversations are amplified and shared with the university and expanded communities. The UG advances the School of Art + Art History’s commitment to the visual arts by offering an experimental space to bring people together around art and ideas, improving accessibility and inclusivity through direct student and community engagement; increasing the school’s visibility as a center for critical discourse around artistic research, production, and scholarship, leading with preeminent programming.


University Galleries are comprised of three art galleries. Gary R. Libby University Gallery (GRLUG) provides the greater Gainesville community with a contemporary venue that explores new directions in visual art, incorporating historical perspectives. Exhibitions feature nationally and internationally known artists, studio art faculty, and MFA graduating thesis projects. The Gary R. Libby Focus Gallery and the Constance and Linton Grinter Gallery of International Art present art exhibitions that are organized by graduate student curators, in conjunction with the director of the galleries, allowing students to learn experientially about curation, organization, and exhibition making.

Directions & Accessible Parking
Gary R. Libby University Gallery is located at the intersection of SW 13th Street and SW 4th Avenue in Fine Arts Building B on the University of Florida campus. Map

Accessible Parking
There is a reserved gallery parking spot located behind the main Gallery (Gary R. Libby University Gallery). From SW 13th Street, enter campus via Stadium Road, then take into the Gallery’s driveway to your left. A temporary parking permit can be retrieved at the Gallery’s reception desk.

Daytime Parking
Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm are the normal hours of restriction when an appropriate permit is required to park for most areas of campus. However, many areas are enforced differently, so always check the signage at each location where you park to determine the specific hours when a permit is required for that area. Please check the following link for more information: https://taps.ufl.edu/customer-resources/parking-restrictions

Reception Parking
The closest parking to the Gary R. Libby University Gallery is the lot behind (to the west of) Tigert Hall. From University Avenue, enter campus via Buckman Drive and turn left onto Union Road. Follow Union Road through the 4-way stop. The parking lot entrance is on the right just past Walker Hall. Parking restrictions for this lot are lifted at 5:30pm.

Contact Us! Questions?
Contact us at (352) 273-3000.

Gary R. Libby University Gallery
400 SW 13th Street
Fine Arts Building B (FAB)
Gainesville, FL 32611

For more information, please contact the University Gallery at (352) 273-3000 or visit our website at www.arts.ufl.edu/galleries.

Address

400 SW 13th Street
Fine Arts Building B (FAB)
Gainesville
FL 32611

Phone

(352) 273-3000

Website

Gary R. Libby University Gallery Website