Museum
Career
- Summary
1963
- Sacramento Jr. Museum -
While studying for my degree in Park
Management I started working as the Curator of Biological Sciences.
I gave tours and lectures, taught classes, took care of live animals,
designed and fabricated exhibits. After nearly five years at the
museum I had the good fortune to move to the Bay Area to build
a new museum.
1968
- Oakland Museum
- This new museum consolidated three older
museums into one building to create the museum of California
art, history and natural sciences. I started on a contract and
soon was hired as the preparator for the natural sciences department.
My focus was exhibit fabrication and design for the next 14
years. It was a rare opportunity to be part of creating a world
class natural history museum.
1980
- East Bay Regional
Park District
- As Chief Preparator for the park district
I was able to combine my experience with museum exhibits and my
training in park management. The Exhibit Lab developed park visitor
centers and exhibits for EBRPD and worked closely with the naturalist
staff to create learning experiences - including publications.
I managed the Exhibit Lab for about six years.
1987
- Museum
Exhibits
- Working as a contractor allowed me to
do a greater range of planning and design work for museums in
California. I did facility planning, master planning, exhibit
planning, graphics design and printing. I also spent more time
on fine arts painting and decided to do that full time in 1989.
1998
- Farm & Ranch
Heritage Museum
- I returned to museum work as the Exhibit
Designer for this new museum being developed by the Office of
Cultural Affairs, State of New Mexico. I designed exhibits, produced
graphics, managed in-house and contracted exhibit projects and
was part of the interpretive planning team. I left in December
2002 and returned to making art full time.
2006-2007
- City of Las Cruces Museum System - I
returned once again to museum work as the Exhibits Technician
for the museum system in early 2006. I installed the "Rocketland
Exhibit" at the Branigan Cultural Center, created floor plan
and elevation drawings for the exhibit spaces at the BCC, and
managed the museum system web site. I resigned from that position
because of a previous back injury that was aggravated by doing
some of the work. In September 2006 I returned to part-time work
for the museum system on a personal services contract. I prepared
the working drawings for converting the BCC exhibit spaces for
the King Tut Exhibition, prepared the interior graphics and photographs
and assisted with installation. I will continue working for the
museum system on an as needed basis. In 2007 I worked as a contract
exhibit designer and graphic artist for the Las Cruces: Crossroads
of History Exhibit. The permanent exhibit was installed in the
Branigan Cultural Center in Las Cruces. (part of the Las Cruces
Museum System).
