A blog about the activities of the Museum Career Internship Program, a partnership between The American Folk Art Museum and LaGuardia Community College. Support for this program is provided by Richard and Laura Parsons, the Schaffner Family Foundation, Jane and Gerald Katcher, Donald and Rachel Strauber, and the LaGuardia Community College Foundation.
On September 11, 2019, the American Folk Art Museum welcomed its fifth cohort of LaGuardia Community College students for the 2019-2020 Museum Career Internship Program. Our first day was filled with filling out paperwork, setting up email accounts, introductions to staff, a discussion on “What is Folk Art?”, and of course, muffins. We are looking forward to a fantastic year.
From Left: Khori Wilson, Aaliyah Kee, Jessica Toomey, Deseree Ramos, Matthew Morris, Tiffani Hernandez, and Teshaba Barlow (not pictured: Audrey Capria)
When I went to visit the Souls Grown Deep exhibition in Philadelphia with my colleagues at American Folk Art Museum, I didn’t know what to expect. I had never been to Philadelphia. We arrived at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the first thing I noticed were the stairs that Rocky ran up in the movie “Rocky” and the statue to the right.
We first met with John Vick, the Collections Project Manager at the Philadelphia Museum. Vick told us about his experience working with other creative people to build the Souls Grown Deep exhibition. He also mentioned how passionately he believes in the tour experience to connect the art to visitors.
After meeting with Vick, we visited the Souls Grown Deep exhibition. I saw many of the artists who are represented in the American Folk Art Museum’s collection like Lonnie Holley and Thornton Dial Sr. My favorites were all of the quilts by the Pettways from Gee’s Bend.
We then met Michelle Millar Fisher, the Assistant Curator of Design at the Philadelphia Museum who was also AFAM Assistant Curator Steffi Ibis Duarte’s mentor. Fisher showed us around the museum and pointed out how they plan on using the space for the next exhibition which starts in September.
She then took us upstairs to the offices where they design the exhibitions using miniature models of the space. We also do this at the American Folk Art Museum. Her colleagues were all using design programs like Adobe Illustrator and CAD software for laser cutting. I liked seeing their work environment because it gave me confidence that I’m on the right path. The skills that they were using in the office are skills that I was introduced to in design school.
Overall, the trip was unforgettable. Thank you to Steffi for making this happen.
Exciting things are happening at the Self-Taught Genius Gallery. The popular New York Experiencedexhibition has come to a close, and as we say “see you later” to some of our favorite pieces (Gregorio Marzan’sCentaur, for one), we are already rolling on fresh layers of paint for the next exhibition, A Piece of Yourself: Gift Giving in Self-Taught Art. In this case the “we” are the talented art handlers on staff that make the transition between exhibitions smooth and ensure that each new installation is lit and hung perfectly. This is not their first rodeo.
During the week of installation, the gallery is a mix of artwork and hardware. The pieces are brought out from storage and before any nails are hammered, they are placed roughly in their future spot. One piece is out for conservation, and there is a piece of paper cut to the same dimensions serving as a place holder until it arrives. Pedestals are brought out and the skeleton of the exhibition is in place. Nothing is placed arbitrarily, either. In the lead up to each exhibition, assistant curator Steffi Ibis Duarte has worked on scaling, grouping, and laying out each piece so that the show is not only visually stunning, but follows a narrative that will give visitors a full experience when visiting the Self-Taught Genius Gallery.
One of the final steps is putting the text on the wall. Graphic Designer Kate Johnson designs all of the labels and wall texts for each exhibition at the museum and Self-Taught Genius Gallery. Wall text not only gives the guests information on the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of the show – the font, design and layout of the text act as a visual introduction to the whole exhibition.
Here is a wider look at the work station that the crew is using to make sure 3-D objects are safe while their boxes and pedestals are being moved around. The foam pieces on the floor are also used as protection for the framed works that are waiting to be hung.Organized chaos: Tape, ladders and protective blankets populate the gallery space. Our professional art handlers are hard at work–measure twice and hammer once–and are an integral part of the operation.Objects are starting to be hung! The piece of paper on the wall is being used as a placeholder for a piece that was out for conservation, but is currently on its way back.
On Wednesday, April 26, 2019, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, the American Folk Art Museum’s Self-Taught Genius Gallery in Long Island City had a program called “Drink & Draw,” which was organized by Steffi Ibis Duarte, curator of the Self-Taught Genius Gallery, and Natalie Beall, education specialist. This program was free and open to all art lovers from the general public. This program was a workshop for enthusiasts to do activities such as drawing and making new friends. Those who attended had a good time in the company of other art lovers, made friends, and practiced their artistic skills. The museum provided rosé wine, beer, and lollipops in the conference room for the those who attended.
This program was also about seeing the exhibition in the gallery titled New York Experienced. The participants had to choose an artwork from the exhibition and draw it with their own styles and techniques. This kind of program is good because people can feel free to be creative and not worry about being criticized or hearing negative comments about their drawings. The participants had an hour and thirty minutes to make their own drawings, enjoy drinks, and have a fun time.
On Monday, March 18, 2019, the exhibition Made in New York City: The Business of Folk Art opened to the public. There were many folk art enthusiasts at the reception, as well as members, trustees, and museum staff. This is an interesting exhibit because there are many artworks by self-taught artists that were made in all the boroughs of New York. These pieces tell the story about New York City as the center of America’s financial and commercial world from two perspectives simultaneously: “The Art of Business” portrays the people and places that were part of the city’s thrumming commercial life, and “The Business of Art” highlights the diverse mediums and formats used by the artists, artisans, and manufacturers, according to the museum website.
This exhibition offers a lot of New York history through these unique pieces. The opening of this exhibition was an ideal way to get out of my routine and have time to socialize, talk, drink wine, and eat snacks with other people. Folk art lovers. During the reception, I explored an interactive map that showed me where specifically in New York each work of art was made.
Digital map
Some artworks
Folk art lovers
More folk art lovers
Jason T. Busch, who is the director of the museum, closed out the night with a speech of appreciation and gratitude. He also described to the guests what parts of his life are influenced by New York. Monty Blanchard, the president of the Board of Trustees, and Liz Warren, who curated the exhibition, also contributed speeches to the event.
The museum presented the exhibition Paa Joe: Gates of No Return from October 30, 2018, to February 24, 2019.
American Folk Art Museum Exhibition
Photos and sketches
Paa Joe, born in 1947, is a palanquin and fantasy coffin artist. When he was twelve he began his career as a coffin artist in the workshop of Kane Kwei, Ghana’s first fantasy coffin maker. His started his own business in 1976 and became a successful fantasy coffin artists with many exhibitions. The museum website states, “This exhibition presents a unique series of large scale painted wood sculptures commissioned in 2004 and 2005 these are models of Gold Coast castles and forts that served as way stations for more than six million Africans sold into slavery and sent to the Americans and the Caribbean between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries.”
Paa Joe
Last day of the Exhibition
Photos and sketches
John Dunkley: Neither Day nor Night (October 30, 2018 – February 24, 2019).
American Folk Art Museum Exhibition
American Folk Art Museum Exhibition
John Dunkley (1891-1947) was a self-taught Jamaican painter and sculptor. According to the exhibition text, “He was working at a pivotal time in Jamaica’s history” as Jamaicans did not yet have independence from the British.” This exhibition is composed of forty-five works, and it includes his painting and sculptures. I think that this exhibition was interesting because we could see in most of his paintings imagined, surrealistic landscapes, small animals like crabs, birds, spiders, and a lot of vegetation, as well as houses made of different materials, and the road between dark and light. Human figures are rare in Dunkley’s paintings. When he knew he had cancer he started to draw a crab in his paintings as the symbol of cancer.
The American Folk Art Museum has different departments, and one of those departments is Marketing and Communications. The Communications department is responsible for communicating and providing information about all new events, programs, and exhibitions to members, the audience, and associates of the museum. Marketing is about promoting and selling some products such as tickets to exhibitions and programs. Nowadays, social media has a lot of influence on how we learn about information in the political, economic, and educational fields.
Today, I interviewed some of the interns, and my first interviewee was Sayquan Prescott. He is working in Social Media and Communications area with Kate Merlino, who is the Director of Communications and Marketing. he is also working with Cristina Marcelo, who is the Social Media Associate. Sayquan is going to have different projects, but he is currently learning new vocabulary and a professional way to use Social Media like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, as well as publishing information to support the museum and make it more popular. Social media is a good tool for posting information about what is going on in the museum at it’s our two locations.
“I am very engaged in this internship because I get a real feeling, knowledge, and experience in how the museum works.” —Sayquan Prescott
My second interviewee was Saki Nakanishi is working in the Development department with Riham Majeed who is the Development and Membership Associate. She has to add donors’ information in The Raiser’s Edge program. Only people who work in the development department have access to this program becauseit holds the personal information of many people such as donors, members, and the museum audience. to keep The purpose of Raiser’s Edge is to communicate, update information and send museum supporters letters about what is going on in the museum. She also has to read surveys of members and future members at the main museum and add their personal information too.
“working in this department it is interesting and enjoyable to learn different stuff relative to money and donors. I can get more experience to interact with different people and work evaluating surveys.”—Saki Nakanishi
Kyle Castro, who is working in the Archives and Library area with Andreane Balconi, who is the Digital Asset Manager, and Louise Masarof, who is the librarian. In the archives, Kyle has to make photocopies of artworks and put them in a specific place. Also, he has to label some paper and rights of archives of artworks and assign an inventory date. He uses a website to describe the artworks and upload the copyrights of some artworks. Also, he has to update information in the museum’s library website and, in the library room, he has to label books and magazines, and place them in order on the shelves.
“Working in the Library and Archives I’m able to get more information about artworks and how both departments work–it is very important to me.”—Kyle Castro
I interviewed Chris Sanchez Suarez. He is working in the Public Programs department with Theresa Rodewald, who is the Adult Public Programs Coordinator. He is working with the new exhibition that The American Folk Art Museum is going to have called Made in New York City: The Business of Folk Art (March 19, 2019- July 28, 2019) Made in New York City: The Business of Folk Art. He is responsible for reading some books about the history of folk art in New York, the curatorial statement, and the checklist for the exhibition. After he finishes reading, he will write articles about what he thinks of what he read and send these articles to Theresa. He will help Theresa develop some public programs that will assist people of different ages. In these public programs, hewill help the audience by explaining these programs, passing the microphone, papers, and answering questions. Also, he will promote and share what these programs are about with other people, and he will find out different ways to present and engage with more people in these programs. As we know, each human being is different and we have different ways to learn or be interested in public programs. When these programs are finished Chris will read the surveys to learn what the audience thinks of these programs and what positive changes to do for the future.
“I love it because it is nice talking and working with people of different ages and I really enjoy reading [so] much stuff.”—Chris Sanchez
Tyrese Henry is working in the Education department with Rachel Rosen who is the Director of Education. He will help with different ideas to improve workshops, educational programs that will assist people of different ages, and family programs. Also, he will create three family programs for the upcoming exhibition at the main museum, Made in New York City: The Business of Folk Art. In these educational programs, he helps the audience by explaining these programs, some artworks, passing colored pencils, sheets and answering any questions.
“I have a lot of freedom to explore my own ideas of how to educate people and how these educational programs work. It is fun and informative to interact with people of different ages at the museum and seems their passions for the art world.”—Tyrese Henry
Family programs
Children programs
Adrien Bryant is working in the Collections department with Ann-Marie Reilly who is the Director of Collections and Exhibition Production and Judy Steinberg who is the Collection and Exhibition Manager. This department includes the warehouse or storehouse of the museum, where are all the artworks are saved and preserved. Every day she is doing something different– on spreadsheet days where she works on compiling information on previous, current or upcoming exhibitions. Other days she assists with pulling pieces of art for new exhibitions and loans (when the museum lends works of art to other museums for exhibition), photography of artwork or condition report. She has to be very careful when she moves the works of arts so as not to damage them or make them fall.
“I love this department, it is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done. I get to absorb all this knowledge and experience around me. Being able to work in the art field and be around people who share similar passions as I do is amazing. It is a game changer.”—Adrien Bryant
Kristin Townsend is working in the Curatorial department with Steffi Ibis Duarte who is Assistant Curator and Stacy Hollander who is the Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs, Chief Curator, and Director of Exhibitions She is working on the new exhibition in the Self-Taught Genius Gallery called “New York Experienced.” Before the installation of the exhibition, she helped to measure and to think about where the works of art looked best. In addition, she added information about the artworks on the curators’ computer program, TMS (The Museum System) and is learning how it works. When the curators are going to have a new exhibition, Kristin is able to observe the process. How do they think of a topic and title? artworks will they include, and will they borrow some from other museums? Also, she helped Stacy with the wall text for “Made in New York City: The Business of Folk Art” as researching and paragraph phrase some information. She working on an interpretive text for Steffi on Ralph Fasanella’s Pie in the Sky. She has been researching him and his background because the library has a lot of information about him. In addition, she is helping with some field trips for visitors to the gallery, she tries to be available to answer any questions they have about the work. For group tours, she tried to give them a more in-depth talk on the backgrounds of the artists and shed some light on why they make the art that they make
“working in this department it is really interesting because so much going on when the museum is going to have a new exhibition. It is a lot to think about how and where to put the artworks in an exhibition.”—Kristin Townsend
Photos by Miguel Medina, Adrien Bryant, and Kristin Townsend
My name is Miguel Medina, and I study at LaGuardia Community College, where my major is Fine Art and Design. I’m doing my internship in the American Folk Art Museum. This museum is the “premier institution devoted to the creative expressions of self-taught artists, past and present.”
The American Folk Art Museum New York offers a paid internship, which is a great opportunity for students of LaGuardia Community College to have work experience in the art world and learn about different areas of the museum such as Education, Public Programs, Curatorial, Collections, Library/Archives, Publications/Website, Development and Marketing/Communications. Also, I have been able to meet and make new friends in the art world.The current group of interns started on September 12, 2018. For the first three months, the interns had meetings every Monday and Wednesday for three and a half hours to learn about different folk artists of the world and their artworks such as Henry Darger who is from Chicago and Martin Ramirez, who is from Mexico, among other artists. Also, interns learn about different categories of the museum collection such as Art Brut, Antique Art, and Contemporary Art. In each meeting, most of the employees of the museum from different areas were introduced to the interns. They talked to us about where they are from, where they graduated from college, their backgrounds and experiences and what they do in the museum. The program is really interesting because we learned a lot about different folk art styles and practiced analyzing artworks. Also, we had some workshops where we made artwork, such as a piece of a quilt with colored paper and a silhouette on black paper. The final project, was to create an exhibition using the museum collection. Interns had one month to prepare their project, which had to have a title and ten to fifteen images, and involve three public programs. In December, the internspresented their projects in front of the other interns and some employees of the museum. After the final project the instructor decided which areas the students would continue the internship. Since January the interns have been working in the different areas that were designated and working on different projects.
This is my first post in this blog, I will keep posting more articles about how my coworkers and I are doing during the internship in our different areas.
Left to right: Miguel, Chris, Adrien, Tyrese, Kale, Sayquen, Saki and Kristin
Museum Career Internship Program 