2024 Summer Interns: Lillian Jackson

Within the vibrant walls of the Chrysler Museum of Art, art is preserved and its legacy carries on, inviting visitors to witness and absorb their shared histories. This is a welcoming environment with accessibility accommodations, free admission, and many approaches to experience the galleries—all evidence of the Chrysler Museum prioritizing the visitor experience.

During the 2024 Summer Intern Cohort introduction to the Museum, all interns were given the book The Art of Relevance by Nina Simon. Along with reading the book and watching her TED talk, I began looking through this lens of belonging, regarding visitors. Simon challenges museums to create environments that identify their audiences, what matters, and barriers in places that can hinder underrepresented groups. Through this wonderful internship, the concepts in the book came alive!

This summer session had an amazing group of interns, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them during our weekly meetings. Our advisor/mentor Stacey Shelnut- Hendrick made our transition into the program seamless. During our meetings, I enjoyed the open discussions and questions not only from the book but also from each intern’s experiences. These questions provoked deeper considerations and often posed new questions. The concepts and approaches learned within the assigned text and conversations are applicable in multiple arenas. As I continue pursuing higher education, I intend on building upon these conversations and possibly finding creative solutions.

I may be slightly biased, but words cannot describe how much I enjoyed working in the Curatorial Department. My project advisor, Tashae Smith, had such an organized work plan, so much so that in those first weeks, I could identify all the directions I wanted to take for the internship tasks. This ignited productivity within the research process, and I embarked on many journeys through sources that taught me something every day.

The personalities of the curation and conservation teams are all so welcoming, they made me feel included every step of the way.

As a student historian, I love exploring and dissecting topics; you never know what you will uncover and how to apply it. The topics I chose were: Christianity in Ethiopia, the African diaspora, and debunking inaccurate notions of African Art. The labels I worked on will be on display in the Museum and the proposal for the display cases will act as a foundation for future display ideas in the African Art Gallery.  As the weeks continued, I learned more about the skilled individuals within my department. The personalities of the curation and conservation teams are all so welcoming, they made me feel included every step of the way. From what I have observed, the objects in the Museum’s collection are in such good hands.

As interns, we got our hands dirty during on- and off-site activities! Our glass class was one of the many highlights of this program. The environment inside the building was amazing, from the friendly staff to the seating design. For those who have visited, doesn’t the Glass Studio smell like toasted marshmallows or a warm bonfire? For me, it sparked feelings of nostalgia for childhood camping trips.

After protecting our eyes with the available safety goggles, all the interns had the chance to make ornaments. I was ecstatic, as it is a tradition in my household to buy ornaments wherever we travel, so our Christmas tree tells a story. I was slightly nervous to work with heated glass, but the instructors stood by us the whole time. When dipping our heated glass base into the vibrant colored glass it was neat seeing the colors intertwine like the red and white of a candy cane.

All of the interns were required to do at least one outreach event, allowing participants to connect with community members. Volunteering at the Juneteenth Festival table was fun. The Chrysler Museum team assisted with hands-on crafts and encouraged the public to participate in upcoming Museum events. Sparking conversations with those who came up to the table got me out of my comfort zone, and I learned about the Museum’s role in the lives of each individual. One woman shared how the Museum plays a crucial part in her homeschooling curriculum, a perspective I am familiar with.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to assist with a teacher workshop. Listening to the perspectives of educators in the surrounding communities was inspiring, as they were passionate about teaching. The workshop topic was Intangible Cultural Heritage, with a slight emphasis on storytelling. This workshop was a collaboration with Hampton University, and it was wonderful seeing my school involved. I am so proud of the work everyone is doing across all the departments. All involved with the Chrysler Museum are protectors of culture, and I appreciate everyone’s accomplishments and efforts. Thank you to the Museum staff for preserving the very institutions that cultivated my love of history. I am forever grateful to have worked with the Chrysler Museum of Art, and I encourage students with passions in museum studies, art, education, history, outreach, and community development to apply!