Past and Future

In hopes of removing some distance between readers and myself, I’m going to start with some personal background. (Feel free to skip to the last two paragraphs, if you already know me.)

I started my higher education path at Oregon State University, where I studied Bioresource Research, in Veterinary Toxicology. Here, I took the same art appreciation course that we’re all required to take, and I fell madly in love with the art world. I packed up, moved back to Texas, and enrolled in UNT’s Art History program. Towards the end of the program, I was feeling a little restless and decided to take a year to really gather myself and figure out what I wanted to do next. Through some hardships, adventures, and wonderful opportunities, here I am… on the cusp of entering my second year in UNT’s Art Education/ Museum Education program.

I currently work in the library annex as a preservation assistant. I do everything, from re-sewing books, to building special housing for rare objects (books, drums, pictures, films) from the library’s collection. The work I encounter everyday at the annex has kept me curious about art objects. It’s incredible to have an object presented to you in ruins, and be able to return it to a useable state!

I also work at the UNT Art Galleries, as manager of programming. Here I do a lot of scheduling, PR, customer service, and event organizing. The work I do at the galleries fulfills an internal call to work with people. If I’m doing our Saturday Series Events, or just helping students schedule their MFA shows, I get to work with people and hopefully help them in their artistic endeavors.

Starting next week, I’ll be adding a third hat, as I will start my position as the Meadows Museum’s education intern! The Meadows Museum is an amazing institution. I have wanted to see “behind the curtain” since my first trip there with Laura’s class (HI LAURA!!). After talking with Mary, my supervisor, it looks like we’re on the same page as far as expectations go. I really just want to act as a sponge while I’m there, absorbing as much as possible. I want to see all sides of the museum— day-to-day stuff, and even activities outside of the education department. It’s probably not typical of an intern to not already have a focus, but I like to think of it as though I’m open to being swept off my feet by anything.

I believe, as time goes on, a variety of challenges will make me better at doing my job at the Meadows, as well as in the future, when similar challenges will inevitably arise. I’m interested to see how my previous experiences in galleries and museums compares with my time at the Meadows. I can’t wait to see what everyone else is up to this summer!!

-Danielle