Author: Catie Anderson, curator of education
Sounds of Summer
Posted on August 18, 2021
As during the last nine years, a good chunk of my August calendar is dedicated to audio. Work on the Woodson Art Museum’s audio tour app content is a seasonal commitment to highlight each changing exhibition throughout the year, and the stakes are highest for Birds in Art.
Cart Craft
Posted on July 14, 2021
The roll out (pun intended and regretted) of the Woodson Art Museum’s Art à la Carte offering has been enthusiastically embraced by visitors, however, staff envisioned more. For curator of exhibitions Shannon Pueschner, facilities manager Dave Jones, and me, the Art à la Carte cart needed some improvements – better yet, a custom build.
Sarah’s Sea
Posted on June 23, 2021
Earlier this month, sculptor Sarah FitzSimons pulled her car into the Woodson Art Museum’s loading-dock parking lot, safely transporting the Pacific to the Midwest. The ocean, folded and wrapped in on itself, fit in the trunk, where it waited patiently to stretch and spill out across the gallery floor.
The Daves of Our Lives
Posted on May 05, 2021
I currently have three Daves in my life – my boyfriend, my best friend, and my work friend – and each of them deserves a medal for putting up with me for so many years. For the sake of this post’s storytelling clarity, I shall employ the same system I use in conversation: last names. Simpson is the boyfriend, Badesch is my longtime friend, and Jones is my work buddy.
Making Time for the Little Things
Posted on October 21, 2020
Art projects – no matter how small or silly – are the most fulfilling activities when I feel overwhelmed and, of course, offer of a mental health boost. I’m fortunate and grateful to work at the Woodson Art Museum with creative and compassionate coworkers who not only indulge my occasionally – alright, frequently – odd habits, but often encourage them. This blog post is about one such instance.
I Spy . . . Creative Problem Solving
Posted on September 02, 2020
This blog post previews one example of the inventive teamwork behind this fall’s visually focused Art Park installation, as the typical hands-on, interactive stations and art projects familiar to visitors aren’t possible during the coronavirus pandemic.
Art to Go
Posted on July 15, 2020
Taking inventory of available art materials proved to be a quarantine-friendly activity for me working solo in education storage, counting supplies, and developing project ideas for summer art kits. Museum collection artwork images, printed with information and prompts on “kids club cards” were the source of inspiration for the five art kits.
When Cranes Call, You Answer
Posted on June 10, 2020
Alright, fine; I can’t communicate with cranes. When I say “cranes,” I mean people who work with cranes, which is close enough for me when it comes to blog titles.
The crane-loving colleagues of whom I speak are none other than dedicated staff members at the International Crane Foundation.
A Tale of Two Bird Savers
Posted on May 27, 2020
Whether a planned project or a chance encounter, saving birds is always worthwhile.
Making Museum Videos: Behind the Scenes
Posted on April 08, 2020
Behind the Woodson Art Museum’s app content, Catie is at the computer, turning audio into video. While the Woodson’s YouTube videos and audio-tour app are crafted to offer visitors – both onsite and remote – insights into artworks on view, the creation of the videos themselves presents an educational opportunity all its own.
