The Georgia Museum of Art is pleased to welcome Ashaé Burgess as its new assistant curator of education. Burgess, who joined the staff of the museum in September, describes herself as a history buff and an art lover, both of which drew her initially to working in museums after college. Her work in museums, she said, has helped her learn more about herself and her interest in Black world studies, women’s studies and the classical humanities.
“I’ve always been a history buff and I’ve always liked art and I thought that working in museums would teach me more about art and history, specifically African American history,” she said. That initial interest in college has now turned into a career path. Her new role at the museum allows her to share the Georgia Museum of Art’s collections and exhibitions with teachers, docents and K – 12 students. While Burgess’ position is in the museum’s education department, which focuses on youth education, she believes that developing a passion for and curiosity about art is good for everyone.
“I think exposure to art and different art histories helps students be well rounded and curious, and it is great for adults too,” she said. She hopes that sharing her passion for art and history through the Georgia Museum of Art’s educational programs will help create lifelong learners of art and art history within the Athens community.
Her previous experience includes a position as a gallery teacher at the Cleveland Museum of Art and a Thoma Education Guide at the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland. Burgess, who hails from Ohio, studied at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Her educational pursuits and interests, particularly about the history of Black people through a global lens, has been eye opening and has taught her a lot about herself as well.
“I find that Black people globally share a very similar history,” she said. She hopes to use her expertise and knowledge of the shared global Black experience to help enhance educational understanding and dialogue at the museum. The role, she said, allows her to work with art, explore history and develop deeper connections to the community.
One of her favorite parts of working at the museum is the creative environment, she said. She enjoys being around the museum’s works of art and using them for inspiration.“I love working in an environment that has a type of beauty to it,” she said. “It makes me feel relaxed, creative, curious and focused.” She is excited not only to educate others, but to use the museum environment to continue to learn and explore her own creativity.
In looking at the museum’s galleries, Burgess said she is an admirer of the dramatic colors and lighting found in the Spanish baroque art on display in the exhibition “Power and Piety,” featuring paintings on loan from Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery. She also loves the Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Collection of African American Art and Nick Cave’s “Soundsuit,” currently on view in the Barbara & Sanford Orkin Gallery. “I love learning more about artists and art movements that speak to and about my culture and our resilience, genius, beauty and love.”
By Maggie Dukes
