Taking inventory in the art vault, tearing down and putting up new exhibits, curating my own mini-exhibition, researching artists from the collection, while these may sound like the responsibilities of a seasoned museum professional, these are all opportunities I’ve had during my time as a Museum Studies intern this semester at the OJAC. Does that surprise you? Me too.
I can safely say this internship has surprised me at every turn. The collection here is impressive, to put it mildly. It took me several weeks to take it all in, sneaking an extra lap in each gallery on my way to the bathroom. One of my go-to stops has been Vernon Fischer’s Aardvark in the Reading Room. I love its reference to pop art and the way it requires a second look.
I have been struck by the trust the museum staff had in me. My first day on the job I was tasked with an inventory task for the Registrar. In other jobs, “taking inventory” is probably a punishment, met with groans and an eyeroll, but taking inventory in an art museum is one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. This task meant going into the vault and putting my eyes on every single piece in the collection. It’s a shame you can’t take inventory too because there is some incredible stuff back there. The hours of my “job” flew by as I inspected the sculptures, prints, and paintings that make up the history of this museum.
For the education department I got to take an even closer look at the pieces in the permanent collection. Not only was I given the task of researching several of the works for social media posts, I also designed coloring pages that will make up the new “Color our Collection” book. Yet again I was up close and personal with the work, studying every contour and element of composition to create its black and white coloring page clone.
On my first day of working with the Archivist I learned I would get to design and curate my own show. My own show?! I kept my cool as she told me the details. A two foot by four foot pedestal would be set up in the Center for Education, and I had full control of what would be on display inside.
As the weeks went by, the “newness” of the job wore off, but the surprises didn’t stop. I observed the staff’s genuine passion for their community, the extreme care taken to every detail of opening a new show, their enthusiasm for the work. Art has always meant a lot to me. I believe it has the power to bring people together in a way nothing else can, and I got to work in a museum in Albany, Texas that is proof of that! I have learned so much during my time working here and will continue to learn as I reflect back on the work of the collection.
Phoebe Voss, Museum Studies Intern
