Get to know Master’s Program alumni in our series Life After Graduate School. In this month’s feature, meet Wendy DePaolis, a 2014 Master’s Program alumna. Wendy is currently Curator of Arts and Sculpture at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 

Why St. Thomas? 

When considering where or even if I would go back for my Master’s in Art History, many factors were to be considered. Finances, personal growth opportunities and the ability for the degree to lead to something rewarding upon graduation were just a few questions. Meeting with the Director of Graduate Studies provided answers and inspiration to move forward with this decision.  I learned of the myriad of opportunities available and took advantage of many of these in my time at St. Thomas. I participated in many on- and off-campus internships and assistantships, was awarded grants to further research, and attended conferences both as a presenter and attendee— all as result of being a student at St. Thomas.

What was your favorite moment while a student at St. Thomas?

The research I was able to do on a little-known department store art gallery—Gallery 12—allowed me to immerse myself in a local project interviewing people who worked with the gallery and revealing the impact it had on the contemporary art scene—helping to cement Minneapolis as an arts hub for the future.

My other favorite moment was being awarded a Luann Dummer for Women Graduate Student Fellowship for Research on Topics Related to Women and/or Gender Issues. This award led to my Qualifying Paper research and a trip to the Kodak libraries to research a little known but highly influential photographer at the turn of the century, Annie Brigman.

What are you up to these days? How did you get to where you are?

Since November 2015 I have been Curator of Arts and Sculpture for the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. My mission is to use art as a portal allowing people to understand and garner a deeper appreciation for the natural world around us. This position is responsible for the conservation and preservation of the newly-acquired monumental sculpture collection in the Harrison Sculpture Garden. The 26 sculptures from a wide range of international artists including the likes of Barbara Hepworth, Philip King and Louise Nevelson along with many other international artists provides a unique experience for the Arboretum visitor.  Additionally, the ever-rotating retail galleries—Reedy and Café—are managed by the Curator who develops and executes all aspects of the exhibitions. Proceeds support the Arboretum and the local artist community. Lastly, the Curator is charged with growing the fine arts education program which is filled with a wide range of classes from fiber to painting often in coordination with major outdoor exhibitions or recent developments in the gardens.

I am the first person to hold this position at the Arboretum and am thereby in a position to mold this opportunity with the direction of upper management.  I was hired because of my past experiences and connections, as well as the ability to juggle many responsibilities at once.

How has the time you spent in our graduate program influenced your career and life? 

The graduate program opened my eyes and my ability to become a true researcher. Not only the mechanics of good research are taught but how to dig deeper, look at things in a way that helps you to arrive at a new discovery.

I was constantly challenged and encouraged by staff to take my information and ideas further.  Whether developing programs or new exhibitions, I use skills learned at St. Thomas to ensure that our visitors are given a rewarding experience.

Advice for new and current graduate students? 

I think building connections builds bridges. I also think you need to let people know what makes you unique.  What can you bring to an organization that will further the mission of the place? Once you have figured out your unique skills and qualities, tell the world.  Don’t be shy!

Get to know Master’s Program alumni in our series Life After Graduate School. In this week’s feature, meet Amy Pence-Brown. Amy currently lives in Boise, Idaho where she is an architectural historian, writer, and body image activist.

Why St. Thomas? 

When we were considering moving to the Twin Cities from Oregon I began exploring universities where I could get a Master’s in Art History. There were (and are) so many great colleges in the Twin Cities but only one that had the program that I wanted – an interdisciplinary Master of Arts degree I could morph to fit my particular and unique goals and loves – architectural history and museum studies. Turns out St. Thomas had two experts in both areas teaching in the department at that time making it a perfect fit for me.

What was your favorite moment while a student at St. Thomas?

There were many significant moments but a few stand out in my mind as game-changers for me. When I first arrived in Minneapolis I was exploring the museums during the first week of classes and remembering walking into the Weisman Art Museum and hearing Bruce Springsteen blaring from the galleries. I was surprised and titillated to find an exhibition on his cover art curated by Dr. Colleen Sheehy, who was to be my museum studies professor at St. Thomas. It wasn’t long after that I was driving the streets of Minneapolis and looking at funeral home after funeral home and thinking more critically about our vernacular built environment thanks to my first class with Dr. Victoria Young and thus my thesis topic was born, combining my loves of mortuary science and architectural history. My Qualifying Paper topic was the history of the American funeral home.

I also got pregnant with my first daughter while a grad student — so being pregnant, in the first stages of labor while attending a night class, and later doing field studies and primary research visiting and touring St. Paul mortuaries wearing baby Lucy in a Baby Bjorn were some of my most memorable moments. I love that the program allowed me to combine being a mother, an academic, a historian, and a burgeoning museum professional in my studies.

What are you up to these days? How did you get to where you are?

I am a writer, body image activist, artist, and historian living in Boise, Idaho. I have worked at many museums and have juried and curated numerous exhibitions. I also write for several local and national publications, and am an adjunct faculty member at Boise State University in the art department teaching special topics and the history of modern architecture. I also work as an architectural historian doing research, lecturing, writing and giving historic walking tours for Preservation Idaho, our statewide non-profit that works to educate about and advocate for Idaho’s historic built environment.

For the past seven years, I’ve co-curated Wintry Market, a handmade market for the holidays indie art & craft bazaar with nearly 80 regional artists. I also serve the children and youth of my community as a mother of three and as School Garden Coordinator for Hawthorne Elementary School. I have been a body image activist for the past 8 years and often use my body as a political vessel and canvas for my art. In 2015 I stripped down to a black bikini and blindfolded myself with a sign and markers in the farmer’s market in downtown Boise in the name of radical self-acceptance. A video of the performance, along with a blog post I wrote, went viral — to the tune of over 200 million views to date! My work and voice as a fat feminist mother gained international attention and I continue fighting for self-love and body positivity as a public speaker and educator, leader of the Boise Rad Fat Collective and founder of RADCAMP: A Body Positive Boot Camp for Feminists & Feminist Teens and just wrote the manuscript for my very first book.

How has the time you spent in our graduate program influenced your career and life? 

I do a lot of public speaking at universities, high schools, and junior highs, especially about body image and self-esteem, and I have always credited my academic studies – both undergraduate and graduate – as crucial to making me the educated historian and feminist I am today. My studies provided me with the foundation to make critical assessments and do research and ask a lot of questions before making decisions. It provided me with a deep love of books and understanding of who and what came before us, which is crucial if you’re an artist, architectural historian, activist, feminist, teacher or a mother.

Advice for new and current graduate students? 

I also share this bit of advice every time I speak to college students, as either a keynote or in small classroom lectures: I cannot overstate the importance of internships or volunteering as a student. It will boost your resume in amazing ways, give you great practical work experience and hopefully provide you with a qualified professional to write you a letter of recommendation or act as a reference for future studies or career opportunities. Additionally, I cannot overstate the importance of applying to present papers at conferences, either regionally or locally. Much like internships or volunteer opportunities, presenting at a conference bolsters your resume and professional and practical experience immensely. You’re also likely to learn a thing or two from other presentations and make some fun new professional connections!

Get to know Master’s Program alumni in our series Life After Graduate School. In this month’s feature, meet Rachel Houck (MA, 2017), Executive Director at the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society.

Why St. Thomas?

I chose St. Thomas because of the competitive and collaborative environment. While looking into graduate schools, I was amazed at the number that were described as “cut-throat.” I wanted to find a graduate program that was competitive but didn’t feel like an episode of Survivor. I found that at St. Thomas my peers and faculty advisors inspired me to work harder, but also actively looked for research projects to collaborate.

What was your favorite moment while a student at St. Thomas?

My favorite moment was after I presented a paper at my first major conference. When I was finished, one of the experts in attendance told me that my work made him rethink his previous stance on Asmat tourist art. I think every researcher hopes to get that kind of feedback.

What are you up to these days? How did you get to where you are?

I am currently the Executive Director at the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society. The most important part of my job is developing plans that will have a positive impact on the future of our organization. I also manage and organize our archives, artifacts, programs, fundraisers, and volunteers.

I got to where I am by asking for opportunities to advance my skills and networking. I would have never known about this job if a friend hadn’t told me about it and I wouldn’t have been qualified in the first place if I didn’t keep educating myself on the field.

How has the time spent in our graduate program influenced your career and life?

I learned so much in the graduate program at St. Thomas, but I think what influenced me the most was the realization that education doesn’t end with graduation. Best practices are always being re-written, we are always learning new and better ways to preserve artifacts, interpretation is always evolving. I still seek out new research and methods so that I can stay up-to-date.

Advice for new and current graduate students?

Know your strengths, know your weaknesses, and look for opportunities to develop both. If you need experience grant writing, developing exhibits, researching or anything else ask for it — if you are turned down, ask someone else, but don’t stop until you have the skills you need for the job you want.

Get to know Master’s Program alumni in our new series  Life After Graduate School. In this week’s feature, meet Rita Walaszek, a Master’s program alumna currently working in the museum collections of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Why St. Thomas?

Having done my undergrad at the University of Minnesota, I still wanted to stay close to home but have a change. Colleagues at the U told me more information about the program at St. Thomas. (Also, no GRE requirement).

What was your favorite moment while a student at St. Thomas? 

Besides graduation, my favorite part was taking a class with Dr. Julie Risser, who was working with the Asmat collection at the time. Being able to curate an exhibit while working directly with objects was an entirely different experience than other seminars. Being able to see the objects I was studying in person is always a joy.

What are you up to these days? 

I currently work in Museum Collections at the Minnesota Historical Society, specializing in the Native American collections, helping Native artists research collections and doing outreach within the Native community.

After working with the Native community in education for a few years, I started volunteering at the Minnesota Historical Society. A few positions opened in the collections department where I was volunteering and I became an employee.

How has the time you spent in our graduate program influenced your career and life?

The graduate program ignited my critical thinking regarding museums and their roles as institutions. Now I cannot visit a museum or gallery without thinking about the objects, the space they are in and the interpretation and context provided. As a museum employee, these critiques are always in the back of my mind when working on projects both big and small.

Advice for new and current graduate students?

Get to know individuals in the field you want to work in to see if they have advice. Make sure to volunteer and intern as much as you can, those relationships go a long way. Many small museums and galleries need volunteers consistently. This will also help you see how different places are run.

Get to know Master’s Program alumni in our new series  Life After Graduate School. In this week’s feature, meet Hayley Stoen, Master’s program alumna and the mind behind The Atelier Collection, where she deals, restores, and curates art from around the world. 

Why St. Thomas?

I was impressed with St. Thomas from the very early stages of pursuing my graduate degree. The level of attention and regard that I received from the faculty was quite impactful, particularly because I graduated from college over a decade ago and I was slightly overwhelmed at the prospect of going back to school.  I also appreciated that in spite of not having an academic background in art history (I majored in French and Political Science at the University of Minnesota), I was welcomed into the program and encouraged to pursue the field.

What was your favorite moment while a student at St. Thomas?

Presenting my QP was definitely the highlight. I had an incredible sense of accomplishment that I had come so far in my studies, overcoming fears and obstacles along the way.  I loved my topic and it was personal to me, and I felt proud to be in such talented company as I listened to my fellow presenters that night. Each and every one of my seminars were also highlights! It’s such a well-rounded education and I miss the excitement of being able to choose from the list of fascinating courses that are offered every semester.

What are you up to these days? How did you get to where you are?

During my last year in the program, I started a business called The Atelier Collection. I acquire artwork from all over the world, working with other art dealers to import the pieces and restore them if necessary. It is a highly curated collection and I select works based on their aesthetic properties, historic implications, and originality. I operate a website, atelier-collection.com, and I recently opened a gallery space in downtown Excelsior. I work with interior designers, established art collectors, and art lovers who are just beginning their collections. I have shipped everywhere from Australia, the Netherlands, to Nantucket and Santa Barbara…all over! I also participate in local art shows and collaborations, as community engagement is very important to me. I absolutely love curating art and I get such a thrill from acquiring and selling

How has the time spent in our graduate program influenced your career and life?

The program afforded me the ability to work in this field at a high level, and I find that having earned my Master’s degree in Art History from St. Thomas gives me some professional authority. I feel strongly that I could not do what I do without having this degree behind me.  I find that I often rely on the formal education that I received, even referencing professors’ comments and syllabi at times! The connections that I made through St. Thomas have also been integral. Building these personal relationships is key, as Minneapolis/St. Paul is a small world.  St. Thomas really cultivates that idea. The art world can be intimidating, but after countless presentations, papers, and critiques, I have the confidence required in doing business in this specialized area.

Advice for new and current graduate students?

My first piece of advice is to take advantage of an internship – mine was at Mia and it was profoundly helpful to me. Also, try not to look too far ahead or it can get overwhelming. Enjoy the process and take it day by day. And if you’re worried because you don’t know what you want to do when you graduate – just brainstorm and don’t limit your options!  There are so many opportunities out there, even if you have to create one for yourself.

Get to know Master’s Program alumni in our new series Life After Graduate School. In this month’s feature, meet Alex Kermes, a Master’s program alum and Exhibitions Coordinator at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Why St. Thomas?

St. Thomas has a great reputation and I had some friends who attended and vouched for the school.

What was your favorite moment while a student at St. Thomas?

It’s hard to pick out a single moment that was my favorite since I experienced so many new and exciting topics. Each was a revelatory moment on its own. For instance, I spent more time being intimidated by Chinese art than interested in studying it. But to fulfill the non-Euro/American art requirement I took one of Dr. Kindall’s seminars, which focused on the theme of travel throughout the history of the Chinese artistic imagination. It  provided a unique point for me to access and learn in a personal way about a topic I knew nothing about.

What are you up to these days? How did you get to where you are?

Today I work for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, managing and developing exhibitions. The graduate art history program helped me develop a framework for understanding art exhibitions and how to reach art audiences in a variety of ways. My assistantships at St. Thomas gave me some hands-on experience implementing exhibitions. After graduate school I saw this type of project management first-hand at a small exhibition design company in Minneapolis.

How has the time you spent in our graduate program influenced your career and life?

When I started the graduate program, I was extremely unsure of my abilities and preparedness for that level of study. The more courses I took, the more I grew and gained a steady academic footing. Along the way as I tackled more challenging projects, I found encouragement and support from the faculty and fellow students around me. This underscored the importance of taking responsible risks as well as remaining constantly open to undertaking new, sometimes daunting opportunities.

Advice for new and current graduate students?

You’ve really got to keep an eye out for unique opportunities. Especially as a graduate student make sure to take even the most unconventional opportunities seriously. I always felt that my skillset didn’t line up with what anyone was looking for, but I was given a lot of chances by making myself available and expressing my interest in learning new things. As a result I learned how to be open to growth, in ways I never expected from the start of my graduate career.