Archives/Exhibits/Collections

[alanad83]

Headline: Archives/Exhibits/Collections
Name: Alana Embry
Email Address: alana@alanaembry.com
Current Location: Pocola, Oklahoma, United States

Preferred Job Category: Archives

Personal Statement:
I recently graduated with an M.A. in Art History from the University of Missouri and I am now searching for a position that will utilize my knowledge and skills in art history, fine arts, exhibitions, and/or archival materials. My interests include 19th and 20th century American art, photography, art theory and criticism, modern Native American art, portraiture, and much more.

Education:
M.A., ART HISTORY
2006-2008 University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.
Concentration in American Art; achieved 3.5 cumulative GPA.
Thesis: Amending the American Flag: Artistic Liberties in the Nineteen Sixties and Seventies. Advisor: Dr. Kristin Schwain.

B.A., FINE ARTS
2002-2006 Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, Arkansas.
Completed coursework in: art history, graphic design, drawing, painting (watercolor, oil, acrylic), printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture.

Other: Additional undergraduate coursework completed at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

Professional Experience:
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MUSEUM
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MUSEUM VOLUNTEER, Fort Smith Museum of History, Fort Smith, Arkansas. January 2009 – current.
+ Assisting with front desk duties, gift shop, cataloguing collections, exhibitions and basic research.
+ Assisted with installation of Black History Month exhibition, opening date: February 3, 2009.

RESEARCH VOLUNTEER, Museum of Art & Archaeology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. October 2006 – June 2007.
Researched and wrote exhibition labels, including:
+ Komar and Melamid, Lenin’s Immortal Body (1986) for the exhibition “Final Farewell: The Culture of Death and the Afterlife.”
+ Faith Ringgold, The Sunflower Quilting Bees at Arles (1996) for the European and American Gallery.
+ George Caleb Bingham, Portrait of Miss Vinnie Ream (1876) for the exhibition “Exploration, Interpretation and the Works of George Caleb Bingham.”

GALLERY ASSISTANT, Tomlinson Gallery, Department of Art, Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, Arkansas. August 2004 – May 2006.
+ Assisted with installation and arrangement of temporary exhibitions including student work and collections on loan.
+ Assisted with creation of exhibition labels.

MANUSCRIPTS INTERN, Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Manuscripts Collection, Central Arkansas Library System, Little Rock, Arkansas. May 2005 – August 2005, 100 hour appointment.
+ Organized and created list for collection of music.
+ Processed manuscript materials (primarily photographs and scrapbook materials).
+ Processed the Irene Hillman Collection: 1883-1956, and assisted in creating Finding Aid.

MUSEUM SCHOOL VOLUNTEER, Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas. September 2004 – December 2004.
Assistant to Sharon-Boyd Struthers
+ Children’s Fine Arts (weekend) course teaching ages 9-13 in drawing, painting, and ceramics. Approximately 20 hours.

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TEACHING
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ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR, Liberal Arts Division, Tulsa Community College, Tulsa, Oklahoma. August 2008-December 2008.
ART 1113 Art Appreciation (Fall 2008)
+ Prepared weekly lectures to discuss media, processes, and historical and cultural context of artistic practices.
+ Prepared and evaluated assignments, exams, and papers.
+ Interfaced with students to further clarify course material, address student concerns, and offer research advice.
+ Utilized Blackboard web application to post assignments, grades, documents, and images for discussion.

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT, Department of Art History and Archaeology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. August 2007-May 2008.
Intensive writing courses:
ARHA 2850 Introduction to American Visual Culture (Spring 2008)
ARHA 2830 Introduction to American Art and Architecture (Fall 2007)
+ Led and prepared weekly discussions to build on lectures.
+ Assisted students with learning how to conduct research involving artwork, visual culture and historical objects.
+ Evaluated assigned papers and course examinations.
+ Coordinated weekly meetings between teaching assistants and course instructor.
+ Interfaced with students to further clarify course material, address student concerns, and offer research advice.
+ Utilized Blackboard web application to post grades and documents.

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ADMINISTRATIVE
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GRADUATE ASSISTANT, Visual Resource Center, Department of Art History & Archaeology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. August 2006 – May 2007.
+ Assisted Visual Resource Curator with cataloging and digitization of department’s slide collection.
+ Scanned and cleaned images utilizing Adobe Photoshop.
+ Updated image database using Filemaker Pro and VireoCat.
+ Assisted with slide photography.

OFFICE ASSISTANT, Department of Art, Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, Arkansas. January 2005 – May 2006.
+ Managed organization of student files and updated records.
+ Assisted professors with various projects such as organizing slide collection and studio maintenance.

Applicable Skills:
+ Data entry, 80 wpm
+ Windows & MAC OS
+ Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator
+ Microsoft Office
+ Filemaker Pro
+ VireoCat

Other:
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ORGANIZATIONS & SERVICE
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2009-current Volunteer, Fort Smith Museum of History
2008-current Volunteer, Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, reviewing entries.
2009-2010 Association of Historians of American Art
2008-2010 American Association of Museums
2008-2009 Oklahoma Museums Association
2008-2009 Arkansas Historical Association
2006-2010 College Arts Association
2006-2008 Museum Advisory Council of Students (MACS), Museum of Art & Archaeology, University of Missouri. Treasurer, 2007-2008. Hosted Guest Lecturer in Spring 2008, Dr. Lisa Farrington from Parsons School of Design, New York.
2006-2008 Art History & Archaeology Graduate Student Association (AHAGSA), University of Missouri. Hospitality Committee, 17th Annual Graduate Student Symposium.
2006 Judge, VFW High School Art Competition, VFW Post 2283, Russellville, Arkansas.

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RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
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2006-2008 Tuition, Fee Waiver, and 25% Work Study, University of Missouri
2002-2006 University Honors Scholarship, Arkansas Tech University
2002-2006 Dean’s List, Arkansas Tech University

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SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS
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“Frank Holmes: An Interior View of Art’s History,” 40th Annual 401 Symposium, Department of Art History & Archaeology, University of Missouri, November 2006.

“Sarah Ellsworth: The Strength of a Woman,” Senior Honors Research Symposium, University Honors Program, Arkansas Tech University, May 2006.