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.
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.
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!
