Alfred University student Emily Woo honored with Jerome Ackerman Internship at Alfred Ceramic Art Museum

 Woo is a past recipient of the Willian D. Parry Memorial Scholarship from Alfred University as well as the Fred H. Gertz Award for excellence in writing. She also is studying for her master’s degree in Business Administration.

 “The Alfred Ceramic Art Museum has been a principal source of inspiration for me since I began attending Alfred University,” Woo wrote in her letter of application for the Ackerman internship. Her many interests involve the exploration of art museum operations including curatorial, archival, and administrative dynamics.

 She is enjoying her behind-the-scenes work at the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, according to Wayne Higby, ACAM director. During the recent installation of the ACAM exhibition Ashley Lyon: Super Real, Woo was excited to meet Lyon as well as help with the installation. Higby says she worked directly with Lyon, helping to uncrate the work and participate in the logistical effort necessary to the installation of several large sculptural pieces. Additionally, Woo worked in the archive to prepare the labeling system for the exhibition.

 The Jerome Ackerman Internship is a paid internship that supports the Museum’s mission as an educational resource for Alfred University students. The Ackerman Internship offers undergraduate students from the School of Art and Design in-depth exposure to museum professional practices as well as deep insight to creative processes across history. The Internship also is designed to further each intern’s professional goals while helping the Museum address its multifaceted organizational needs. Each intern works directly with the Museum’s Curator of Collections and Director of Research Susan Kowalczyk.

 Laura Ackerman-Shaw established The Jerome Ackerman Internship at the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum in honor of her father, Jerome “Jerry” Ackerman (MFA ‘52) a designer-craftsman whose artistic collaboration with his wife, Evelyn Ackerman, was at the heart of California's Midcentury Modernism movement. The couple established the Jenev Design Studio in West Los Angeles, and as highly visible artists participated in every edition of the influential California Design shows at the Pasadena Art Museum, from 1954 to 1976.

 Applications for the Ackerman Internship are accepted in person at the Museum’s front desk or by email – applications must include a letter of interest, resume and two professional letters of recommendation. Applicants should have good organizational skills with strong attention to detail as well as good written and oral communication skills and a proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Photoshop. For additional information, call the Museum office at 607-871-2421.