mestaton

Although I may be on campus this semester, there are certainly some changes due to COVID-19. Everyone in the museum is required to wear masks and socially distance. Roughly two weeks into my internship, a friend of mine had to go into quarantine for two weeks since they were suspected for being in contact with someone who was positive. Since the staff of the Salem Museum is relatively small, I decided it would be best for me to work remotely for two weeks as a precaution. Then a week after returning someone I worked with started to show covid symptoms and I continued to work remotely for another week as they waited for their test results. Luckily neither one of them tested positive for corona virus but I am happy that everyone is taking preventive measures to keep students and staff safe. Working remotely did not give me as much hands on experience but it did give me the skills to be flexible in my work.

In learning the ins and outs of how a museum is run there is something that most people outside the industry forget, the sorting, storing and classification of objects,photos and other sources within the museum. I assisted in putting away antiquities from an older instillation. Each object is given a code that is put into the software known as Past Perfect so that they can be found for future exhibits and properly stored. I found this to be very interesting as I know these codes vary from various museums.  These codes vary but in the case of the Salem museum each object or photograph is sorted based on the donor, the number of item in which the item was donated. If a donor donated multiple items each item is given its own number. Finally the object is given its final number based on the date in which the object was donated. I found this probably more interesting than most interns would but I really enjoyed doing a reverse scavenger hunt in putting all of the materials back into their correct boxes and shelves.

I also did some research for the museum by looking into a 1955 local newspaper and getting various information depending on the topics I was instructed to gather information about. It felt overwhelming at first to dive into an actual book of newspapers from such a long time ago, I kept wondering if the individuals who were not much younger than myself then were alive today. I imagined talking to them as I went through the various months, wondering what it was like to be a high school senior in 1955. I also continued to look at the various newspaper adds as I continued researching and I found many quite funny compared to the adds of today.

I was so very excited that I was able to come to campus in light of the issues surrounding Covid-19 and the possibility of not returning to campus. I consider my self a student who learns best with hands on approaches rather than other forms, Working with the Salem museum was something I was thrilled, to not only work under a Roanoke Alum but also to work in an actual museum and get to experience the inner workings of a museum. I had met Mr.Alex Burke in working on a paper last spring and when I was given the green light to work with him this Fall I was beyond excited.  I have been interested in museum work both from a fine arts and a public history perspective. I have wanted to see what it would be like as both someone doing research in the museum archives and taking that information as an exhibit designer.

On my first day as an intern, Mr. Burke instructed me to look though each exhibit and take notes on how each one was laid out, what I liked about the exhibit, what could be improved upon and any questions I had after my own self tour around the building. I was able to see the various ways they can be handled through object handling, signage and both visual and literary mediums. I enjoyed some exhibits more than others and enjoyed topics more than others. I overall was thankful that it allowed me to see the various ways information could be presented to the public. My favorite exhibit had to be the presentation of local artist Walter Biggs the exhibit looked similar to that of a parlor. There were various works of Biggs and other artists hung up on the walls, cabinets of various antiques and places in which viewers could sit and experience the art on their own time. The museum uses a topic or theme for each exhibit rather than converting the building to a visual timeline which these two ways of presenting material can vary from institution to institution.

 

 

 

My internship with the Taubman was a unique and interesting experience. I was able to better understand how a museum functions and how many individuals keep it running even when it is closed to the public. Getting contact information and meeting with the various staff was very useful for someone who is interested in working in a museum as a future career. I didn’t know that a virtual internship would even be possible which was an experience in itself learning how groups of people can adapt and connect through other means. Finally gathering research to present in a more professional way was something completely new to me, especially since I do not have a background in education. Learning how information is presented to large varieties of age groups is a very useful skill even to those who are not seeking a future in education.

I loved interacting with the faulty as well as fellow interns who were from various colleges and places in their education. . Although connecting with individuals is much more pleasant, it is important to be able to be more flexible in situations that are out of our control. I would say that I would highly recommend any internship with the Taubman museum since it was a very enjoyable and valuable opportunity.

Today, Friday June 5th, is the final day of my internship with the Taubman Museum of Art. I was able to learn a lot about researching and presenting our findings in a professional rather than academic based manner. I also understood what it takes to really keep a museum running smoothly, not only with Patrons coming in to see the galleries each day but also the way in which the museum is able to connect to the city by means of events and charity donations. All of the faculty that keep the museum running smoothly all work together like a single unit, you cannot have one area without the other.

Although I am not interested in furthering my carer in Art Education it is still important to realize its importance to a community. Not only did our team of interns research the tapestry but we also had to create projects in which the information could be given to the public in various age groups. The “Periwinkles” made informative handouts, and hands on activities for children that could be done both in the gallery and at home. My project was making woven bookmarks with self made “looms” out of cardboard and string that children could take at home in a kit. We all enjoyed lunch together and discussed our findings and it was very interesting to learn what each group brought to the table. Once intern even came up with a “choose your own adventure” style activity. It was great to see everyone research findings but also their creativity towards their projects. I cannot believe how fast these two weeks have gone.

(Image found at https://aprettyfix.com/diy-woven-bookmarks-beginners/)

 

The Internship at the Taubman Museum of Art has been a very unique experience. I have been able to connect with any workers of the museum as well as yesterday attending an interview with Meredith Entingh who is fiber artist. We got to see some of her work and better understand how woven art, like the tapestry we are researching are made. Seeing her loom up close helped me better understand the process. With the research that my fellow interns and myself are doing we are also required to use our information to create possible programs for the incoming exhibit. Some of the student interns are presenting hands-on projects while others are being more information based. My group is making a possible brochure to hand out to visitors and better understand the tapestry.

Although research is an important part of understanding a work of art, artifact or any other historical object is it is just as important to properly present the information to the public in a way that is interesting, understandable and engaging. Our team of student interns are trying to help understand the best ways of presenting information to the public and with all of our ideas the Taubman will have many ideas to go with. We are also working on the title of the exhibit. A name of an exhibition is what draws the visitors attention and thus it should be just as engaging.