AberForward intern Emily Willis writes about her placement at the School of Art

Annabelle (right) and Emily (left) putting up the Print REbels exhibitions

Prior to this work placement I had no experience working in a museum or gallery and was keen to find voluntary or employment in this sector. So, when the opportunity of a four-week paid work placement in the School of Art Museum and Galleries at Aberystwyth University arose via the AberForward scheme I immediately applied. Luckily the duration of my placement as a Curatorial and Technical Support Assistant came at a most opportune time to experience the whole process of preparing, installing and uninstalling an exhibition.

AberForward Summer Scheme at the School of Art 2018

This summer, undergraduate students Connie and Naim spent four weeks at the School of Art working with our museum’s collections. Here they describe their experiences and impressions in their own words:

AberForward: Charlotte’s last week at SoA

Hello Everyone,

it’s my final week here at the School of Art and, oddly enough, it feels like I’m graduating all over again. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and a part of me wishes it could have lasted a bit longer; but as they say ‘all good things come to an end’ and it’s time for my next adventure. In my last blog entry I’ll be discussing what Georgina, Emily and I have been getting up to in our final week, which includes:

• Continuing the digitization of Erich Retzlaff’s negatives
• Our quick trip to the Vice Chancellor of Aberystwyth’s house
• My time working for the National Student Survey
• Our celebratory tea!

AberForward: Emily’s Summary

I can’t believe it! It’s the end of my time in Aberystwyth already!

AberForward: Charlotte’s 2nd Week

Part 1

Hey everyone,

I cannot believe it’s week two of my placement. It’s going very fast, but I’m enjoying every minute of it. So the main duties I’ve had for this week were:

• Filling out COSHH forms ready for the health and safety audit. (COSHH: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
• Assisting curator Neil Holland in receiving and setting up Earth, Salt and Fire: Pots by Micki Schloessingk.
• Photographing some of the works in the School of Art collection.
• Continuing the digitization of Erich Retzlaff’s negatives.

AberForward: Charlotte’s contemplations on her first week

It’s currently week two of my journey in the AberForward programme, so I’m aware I’m a little late with my blog entries – I’m sorry! But being here, back in the place I love and where I was at my happiest, some thoughts have arisen.

AberForward at the School of Art Gallery

Last week, the School of Art Gallery welcomed five recent undergraduates who are taking advantage of the University’s AberForward Graduate Scheme. They will be working here for a whole month, getting to know all aspects of museum work and hence, gain valuable experience for their future careers.

Today, four of them will introduce themselves here in their own words and might also contribute more to this blog over the next few weeks: