Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Final Post!

Hard to believe how fast this Summer flew by! This is my last posting, but I still have a few more weeks at the Amon Carter to finish cataloging the Artist's Materials Collection. I was given the exciting task to choose objects, create labels, and design the layout of a display case that will be shown at the Amon Carter's reading room! As a theme for the case I picked travel watercolor sets from the 19th century that I had worked with and cataloged. Its so exciting that I have the opportunity to create this display to show what I've been working on to others who may not be aware that this collection exists in the Amon Carter. Below is my rough design of the case with the objects included:

The top left sets include flasks for storing water for easy access designed by Winsor & Newton. The bottom is a G. Rowney & Co. sketchbook that is filled with watercolors we will include reproductions of. The top right has a set by G. Rowney & Co. and a tiny watercolor set made by Winsor & Newton.

If you're planning on visiting the Amon Carter, drop by the reading room to see the case and all the other great cases and books the Amon Carter's library has! I'm submitting labels this week, so it should be up later this month.

This opportunity was my first in an art museum, nearly all my previous experience was in within various roles at an academic library. It didn't take long for me to realize that it felt right to be in an art museum and working with objects and tasks related to art and history. Additionally, it showed me that I really enjoy cataloging and creating order out of disorder so that things may be easily found and used. Its definitely a behind the scenes job, which is something I enjoy about it. I'm hoping that I can continue to gain experience in cataloging and find more opportunities related to this in the future.

3 comments:

  1. NO! WAY! ALEX!! That's so cool that you got to handpick out the items for a display! I'm definitely going to be swinging by to see it in person! It warms my heart to read how at home you feel in an art museum! I'm glad you got to have such a great experience!

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  2. Alex, I am so pleased at how confirming of an experience this was for you. You really blossomed in this environment and it seemed like such a great fit.

    How amazing that you got to curate a case in the library! Like Megan, I will definitely be swinging by to see it! Congratulations on (almost) finishing up your internship!

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  3. Its been fun! I had to change course and pick a more general direction so that we can advertise the availability of the Artists' Materials Collection, but its exciting! I got the labels in, hopefully the case will be up soon :)

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