Everything's bigger in Texas with Carolyn Bess!
Thank you for your feedback and support on our newsletter with Annie Stuart last week. This week we are talking with Carolyn Bess (C’93)! She has lots of insight and advice to offer us. Enjoy reading!
Did you have any internships during your time at Sewanee? If so, what were they?
“I didn’t have any internships during my years at Sewanee but had two after I graduated that were important in helping me discern that I wanted to pursue a career in an art museum. I interned in the Education department at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, researching Northern Renaissance paintings and writing labels for them. And I had a year-long McDermott internship in Education at the Dallas Museum of Art after I finished graduate school. I’m thankful that Sewanee’s Career Services department has really expanded the funding and connections to alumni that allow for fantastic internships now. I’ve been fortunate to mentor many Sewanee interns over the years.”
What made you decide to major in Art History?
“I have a little secret – I was an English major but took as many Art History classes as I could starting my sophomore year. I didn’t have enough time to take all the studio art requirements that came with an art history major back in those days (and that terrified me because I knew my art skills were limited, to say the least!)
“I had grown up with my parents taking me to art museums, and I already had an appreciation for art coming in. I didn’t really think about it as more than a passion of mine until later on. I just really loved the museum environment.”
What was your favorite art history course you took at Sewanee?
“My very first art history class was Dr. Clark’s Italian Renaissance class, and it was my favorite. I seem to remember having to sweet talk my way into that one because I hadn’t taken the required Survey classes then, but he graciously let me in.”
Where did you go after graduating? What’s your story postgrad?
“I went to Williams College to get my Master’s degree in art history. Thanks again to Dr. Clark for encouraging me to explore that program, which was truly wonderful. He told me he felt it was the best terminal masters program in art history and that it had successfully launched many museum professionals into their careers. Just as at Sewanee, I found the faculty to be amazing and focused on teaching and mentoring students. During the winter term of my first year, my classmates and I went on a three-week trip across Europe, where we each gave an in-depth presentation about a work of art of our choice. I chose Grünewald’s Isenheim Altarpiece in Colmar, France. It was truly the experience of a lifetime spending so much time in iconic museums and seeing masterworks in person. I worked at the Williams College Museum of Art during graduate school and also served as a Teaching Assistant.
“I knew I wanted to continue museum work, so shortly after graduating I was selected as a McDermott Graduate Intern in Education at the Dallas Museum of Art. It was the best possible doorway into a career of 25 years at that museum. For six years, I worked as Head of Academic and Public Programs designing education programs for adults inspired by the collections and exhibitions, such as lectures, classes, symposia, and performances. Then, for 18 years I directed the Museum’s acclaimed literary and performing arts series called Arts & Letters Live. We hosted award-winning authors talking about their latest books and creative process and combined art forms in creative programming as well. Some highlights include hosting Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, First Lady Laura Bush, Margaret Atwood, Malcolm Gladwell, Barbara Kingsolver, David Sedaris, and the poets Mary Oliver and Seamus Heaney. This was the perfect job for me to combine my English degree with my art history degree and my love of music and dance as well. One of my favorite aspects of working with Arts & Letters Live was the opportunity to combine art forms in creative programming. In conjunction with exhibitions of Matisse’s sculptures and Jackson Pollock’s drip paintings, I commissioned ballet companies to create new suites of dances inspired by the art.
“I was in the University Choir during my years at Sewanee and my good friend Ryan Taylor pursued an opera and music management career. We collaborated on several programs through the years at the DMA inspired by various exhibitions that combined art, song, and poetry or literary excerpts. For many summers I mentored a Sewanee intern (who was often an English major) to help us read and select short stories for our Texas Bound series, which features Texas-connected actors reading short fiction by Texas-connected authors. Sewanee Theater professor Jim Crawford used to participate in that back when he lived in Dallas.
“About 18 months ago I moved back to my hometown of Waco, Texas to become the Executive Director of the Waco Symphony Association. It is a growth opportunity to be in charge of a non-profit related to the arts and learn to work with a Board of Directors. Even in this role, I’m finding ways to combine art and music in fun ways. In our performance last month themed around the American West, we hung three large screens above the orchestra and collaborated with photographer and multimedia artist Nicholas Bardonnay, who spent more than two months taking photos in the Grand Canyon. During Ferde Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite Nicholas live choreographed hundreds of his photos to the transitions in the music. It was such an immersive experience and the audience loved it! The combination of art and music created an “aha” moment that surprised and delighted our audience.”
If you had to give one piece of advice to your college self, what would it be?
“Take a business or finance course and learn how to read a balance sheet! (I wish now that I’d had that opportunity and had to learn it on the job.)
“I’d also suggest taking a course outside your major for the fun of it because it piques your curiosity and will stretch your mind in new ways. I grew up playing the piano and decided to take the organ for two years with Dr. Delcamp at Sewanee. I had no idea how much of a challenge and a learning experience that would be! I regret to this day never finding the time to take a music history class.”
What’s your favorite museum/ gallery/ exhibit/ work of art you’ve seen recently?
“Several months ago I saw an exhibition called “In Search of Modernity: Cartier and Islamic Art” at the Dallas Museum of Art. It was a wonderful example of collaboration between the DMA and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and the DMA was the sole North American venue, which was quite special. It traced the influence of Islamic art and design through the work of Cartier from the early 20th century to the present day and featured 400 exquisite objects – jewelry, textiles, ceramics, painted miniatures, sketches, and designs – drawn from the Musée du Louvre, the Keir Collection of Islamic Art (which is on long-term loan to the DMA), and the Maison Cartier. The show’s design was innovative with its pieces presented alongside kinetic projected imagery in a fully immersive experience. Those kinetic images helped me understand the intricate construction and creative process involved in making some of the statement necklaces. This special exhibition allowed for a deep dive into the creative process, looking at artistic inspiration, adaptation, and synthesis across form, culture, and time.”
How has your art history major helped you in your daily life?
“My studies in art history have taught me how to be an astute observer of our increasingly visual world and how to make connections between history, art, literature, and culture more broadly. Working at an encyclopedic museum like the Dallas Museum of Art taught me to appreciate and understand cultures from around the world, which is important in our global society.”
Thank you so much, Carolyn, for sharing your post-graduate experiences with us. If you are interested in connecting or hearing more from Carolyn, don’t hesitate to reach out! Be on the lookout for our conversation next week with Lydia Fenet!