In September, the Georgia Museum of Art welcomed Ellen Patton as its new museum programs assistant. Patton is a native Athenian who grew up visiting the museum. She cherishes memories of attending the museum with her aunts and uncles around the holidays. It was here that she felt a strong connection with both the artwork and her family. “I think that having these great memories in the museum makes me want to push for everyone who visits to have a connective experience,” Patton said.
After discovering her love for museum studies in an Advanced Placement art history class, she went on to pursue an art degree at Georgia College and State University. She graduated with a concentration in museum studies and minors in art history, ceramics and business administration. When she saw a job listing for the museum’s part-time gallery guide role, she applied to get her foot in the door, hoping it would lead to a full-time position.
After two months as a gallery guide, Patton was hired as museum programs assistant. Her role involves working with the learning and engagement department to organize the many programs that the museum offers, such as art workshops, Family Days and gallery visits. She looks forward to the opportunity to make art less intimidating for students and the community.
Prior to her work at the Georgia Museum of Art, she held internships at Allied Arts and the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), gaining valuable skills in installation and collections management. She was a docent at Rose Hill Historic House and supported environmental education programs at Lockerly Arboretum.
“Something that I absolutely loved with environmental education was working with kids and getting to see them get inspired and curious,” Patton said. “And being able to see the shyest kid come of their shell, be so excited to learn, and open up by asking a bunch of questions that, normally in a classroom, they’re a little too quiet to ask.”
Outside the museum, Patton enjoys making pottery and participating in local markets where she sells hand-crafted earrings. She also spends time hiking with her dog and dabbles in tree dendrology, the study of identifying trees by their leaves and bark.
With experience in educational roles, museum studies and her academic background, we’re confident that Patton will further the mission of the museum as both an academic museum and state art museum. Along with her skillset, her passion for art education ensures that she will greatly contribute to the museum’s goal of making art more accessible to the community. We look forward to seeing what she brings to the team.
Authored by:
Jisu Stanfield
