The Gallery Gremlin

WSU Humanities Graduate Student Barbara J. Siwecki currently worksas monitor and assists in a multitude of tasks at the WSU Art Galleriesin the Creative Arts Center. Barbara has witnessed the changes and growthof the galleries for the last seven years, time in which she has experiencedmuch of her own growth as an artist. Here is her story.

I've been with the University Art Galleries since 1990. I wasan undergraduate in the Art Department and always enjoyed the exhibitionsand atmosphere there. I knew little gremlins didn't sneak in at night tomake it all happen, and I wanted to find out for myself exactly what wasinvolved behind the scenes in running a successful gallery. I applied fora work/study position as a gallery monitor and went from there.

In 1990 we were actually the Museum of Contemporary Art at Wright StateUniversity, and received recognition as one of the best art museums of itssize.

Under the tutelage of then director, Barry Rosenberg, his assistant TeresaSchalnat, and preparator Stuart Delk, I quickly learned the steps to producingremarkable exhibitions. Barry and Teresa guided me through the administrativeaspects of the job, and Stuart taught me the fine points of maintainingthe physical space--as well as handling the art.

My tasks became extremely diverse. In the same day I found myself talkingto owners of New York galleries and hanging drywall. Some days I gave impromptu"gallery talks" on current exhibitions to school groups who stoppedin, and when they left I returned to the task of scraping paint off thewooden floors. I learned that even the smallest, menial jobs are in manyways as important as the more "glamorous" ones.

Circumstances surrounding the museum were quickly changing, and its futurewas uncertain. Funding grew lean and eventually Barry, Teresa, and Stuartmoved on to other endeavors. In 1991, the Dayton Art Institute "adopted"our museum as a satellite of their own. The museum was

essentially run by senior monitors, including myself. I never reallynoticed any difference except for when I answered the phone and had to girdup my loins to spew out, "Dayton Art Institute Museum of

Contemporary Art at Wright State University. May I help you?" Imust admit that I gained invaluable experience during this "sink orswim" period of time.

By the end of the academic year in 1993, WSU regained control of themuseum and it once again became the Wright State University Art Galleries.A position of gallery coordinator was created and given to a fellow namedEric Davis. He moved on in 1995, and since then the gallery coordinatorhas been Dayton artist and teacher, Craig Martin.

This job has been a great means of constantly surrounding myself withart in some capacity. There was no course work offered in museum studies,so in essence I built my own gallery "internship" by hanging aroundfor so long. I wanted museum/gallery experience and I got it--sometimesmore than I bargained for! Those art gremlins really do exist. I know becauseI've been one on occasion, who literally installed art through the nightfor an opening the next day. Gallery work has a way of being both fulfillingand exasperating at the same time.

One of the nicest perks of the job has been the opportunity to meet andwork with many wonderful and creative people. I also made deep and lastingfriendships through this job.

Watching art and artists come and go for the past seven years has inspiredme in the creation of my own work, and the Master of Humanities programhas given me the opportunity to continue to explore and grow as an artist.I plan to pull it all together this summer with my thesis project.

The Gallery coordinator along with the faculty of the Department of Artand Art History have graciously granted me the favor of the main galleryspace as a place to install my thesis project. I thank them very much forthis. It's also a great way to finally get rid of me, you see, I'm liketheir forty-one year old kid who still lives at home!

Look for my work in the Galleries around mid-July through mid August.The Galleries do not have regular summer hours, so it would behoove youto call first. If you are already on campus, come on over and ring the doorbell.Or call me at home, at 937-277-9096.

Barbara J. Siwecki