Hello! My name is Gillian Ferguson, and I am excited to start the cross-departmental internship at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum this summer! I moved to Wisconsin from northeast Ohio after graduating from Oberlin College in May. Prior to this role, I served as an intern at the Allen Memorial Art Museum and Cleveland Museum of Art. To learn more about my experiences, you can check out my portfolio.
![Gillian giving a tour at at the Allen Memorial Art Museum](https://www.lywam.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gillian-Allen-Memorial-Art-Museum.png)
Me giving an object talk at the Allen Memorial Art Museum
Throughout the summer, staff members Elaina Johann, Rachel Hausmann Schall, and Amalia Wojciechowski will serve as mentors on a variety of projects for their respective departments: administration, education, and collections. I am also learning about the history of the Museum and exploring the Museum’s incredible collection.
With the administration department, I am planning an exciting event for Museum members this summer. Stay tuned for more details! I am also learning how to use Altru, the Museum’s constituent relationship management database.
![Robert Refvem In the Pink sculpture of flamingos](https://www.lywam.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Blog-6-21-23_In-the-Pink_ed-2_12_Robert-Refvem_1993_bronze.png)
The first sculpture I cleaned at the Woodson Art Museum, Robert Refvem, In the Pink, 1993, bronze
For the education department, I am helping facilitate Museum programs on-site and in schools as well as taking photos during tours and other events. I am also creating a catalog of resources in the education collection to make them easier for staff and volunteers to find.
In the collections department, I have several summer projects. I will clean at least ten of the bronze sculptures in the Sculpture Garden to keep them sparkling. I also will add new volumes to the Museum’s library. Last but not least, I will research past works from Birds in Art in preparation for the 50th anniversary exhibition in 2025.
Needless to say, it will be a busy summer, but I would not have it any other way. As an intern, I am happy to help wherever I am needed. Thank you for being so welcoming!