Adsit gains curator experience as an undergraduate

Victoria Adsit, a UW-Green Bay senior from Whitelaw, Wis., had a chance to live her future last month, when she worked as curator of the “Hmong Art: Changing Traditions” exhibit at the Art Garage, Green Bay.

An art major with an emphasis in museum studies, Adsit said she felt secure in her ability to assemble the exhibit, and says time spent with the University’s collection in the Lawton Gallery contributed greatly to that confidence.

Stephen Perkins, curator of UW-Green Bay’s Lawton Gallery, recommended Adsit for the position.

“I chose Victoria because she is planning a career in art conservation and has been an exceptional student within the museum/gallery studies program,” Perkins said. “She also has the personality to work with different people. It’s an important skill to have when working with many different artists.”

Although Adsit admits she was a little surprised at how difficult it was for her to find artists, she was able to find the silver lining.

“It was the perfect opportunity for me to further expose myself to diversity and make connections with community members,” she said.

Adsit said she is glad her passion could be used positively within the community. The exhibit included traditional Hmong textiles, digital prints and collages, and story clothes, which can depict traditional folk life and even something as complex as the Hmong people fleeing their home country and settling in the United States.

“Museums are one of the best ways to learn about other cultures and beliefs,” says Adsit. “I am glad I could contribute to that.”

Adsit will graduate in the fall of 2013 and plans to pursue a master’s degree in art conservation.

Story by Marketing Intern Tayler Zajac. Photo by University Photographer Eric Miller.