1. Where was your first Not-for- Profit/Museum job? Position? What did it teach you?
My first Non-Profit job was at Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico. I was tour guide for visitors- I learned a lot about Georgia O’Keeffe and the Ranch itself. My second Non-Profit job was at the Akron Art Museum in Akron, Ohio. I was a sales associate, but because Akron is so small, sales associate meant I sold tickets, merchandise, or coffee depending on the day and who showed up to work. That is where I really began to learn the ropes of how a museum works and decided that I needed to keep working at museums.
2. Name a mentor that most influenced you: How did they help you?
At the Denver Art Museum my first real mentor was Evelyn Waldron. She was the Merchandise Planner for the museum for more than 10 years, she also did all of the bookkeeping for the Shop- a job I insisted they give to someone else when I took over her role. When I took the job, Evelyn told me “The first two years you are going to have no clue what you are doing. The third year you will feel like you figured it out but by the fourth year you will realize you definitely did not have it figured out and that is when you will hit your stride.” Being in my fourth year now I can tell you she was absolutely right, but I think maybe I still have a couple of things to sort out. Evelyn’s passion for the museum and specifically the shop was unprecedented. She carried herself with so much charm and grace and managed to shut down all the haters without pissing off the whole institution (a trait I may never master.) She was a true inspiration and icon.
3. What was your educational background? Was it useful?
I studied ceramics at Colorado Mesa University, then I went on to do a post baccalaureate program at Kent State University. Getting an art degree gives you very thick skin, or at the very least empowers you to defend your decisions. I don’t think I would have this job if I had a business degree and my life would certainly be less interesting.
4. How did you get into retail?
Aside from a short stint at a terrible Ohio version of T.J. Maxx called Gabriel Brothers, I have never been a traditional retailor. Really, I am here because I moved back to Denver, and the museum was desperate for workers because we were opening a world-renowned Monet exhibition. The Shop manager took pity on my young brace face and brought me on as a sales associate. Within a week I was promoted to Lead for the exhibition Shop and clawed my way up from there. Museum retail is the type of retail for me, getting to design products using artworks from the collection, or for special exhibitions is really my bread and butter. Normal retail doesn’t offer such exciting and creative opportunities.
5. What tips would you like to pass on to a future colleague:
Have some fun for crying out loud. Pushing papers and pomp and circumstance really gets so old so so quickly. Go to the galleries, see the collection, take your lunch break away from the computer, the emails will be there when you get back. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and learn to laugh at the absurdity of deadlines and institutional politics.