Celebrating the Art of Being a Museum Assistant

Museum Assistants Priyanada Soubam and Ann Marie Plubell share the fun of coming together for the first celebration of the Museum Assistants at the Phillips.

So many of you, our guests, meet our Museum Assistants (MAs) as they welcome you, answer your questions, listen to your thoughts, impressions, and suggestions about the art on view, and share a smile when you visit. Museum Assistants play a critical role at the Phillips, not only ensuring the safety and security of artworks and guests throughout the building, but also embodying the warmth that reflects the Phillips family’s sense of hospitality—just as Founder Duncan Phillips envisioned.

In March, the Phillips hosted the inaugural event Celebrating the Art of Being a Museum Assistant. Laughter, camaraderie, a beautiful and delicious savory and sweets buffet accompanied by jazz tunes from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s welcomed over 90 current and former Phillips staff. The program in the Music Room of the Phillips House honored MAs for their contributions to the Phillips. The program embodied the feeling of warmth and hospitality associated with Duncan and Marjorie Phillips.

An MA shared a story about her visit to the Phillips with her great-grandmother long ago, contributing to the sense of how special this museum is for so many. Lou Jones, a former MA and artist, was remembered by her empty chair in the spot where she is pictured in the painting Gallery Guard by Jack Boul, while a black-draped table with a vase of white roses honored her. David Boul spoke warmly and with deep emotion about his father’s feelings for the Phillips family and Collection, and the painting was displayed nearby. 

Some of the longest-serving MAs (Margie Moremen and Ianthe Gergel, each 40+ years, and Roberto Alcaraz and Don Jones, over 23 years) as well as others who began their careers in this role, were recognized, noting Duncan Phillips’s belief in supporting artists, not only by collecting their work, but also by providing part-time employment so they could pursue their art. Honorees were celebrated through heartfelt and good-humored introductions by presenters who shared their personal stories of why the Honorees were important to them. Bouquets and framed recognitions were followed by memorable moments including a roll call of those who began careers as Museum Assistants and current MAs by years of service. 

COO Bradley Freedman shared his story of coming to the Phillips, Security Operations Manager Steve Bernal spoke about the importance of the Museum Assistants and his appreciation of their special role and contributions, and some MAs and Supervisors shared their experiences on video.

“This is exactly why I love being here in this warm, intimate, and beautiful space for art—the people such as yourselves.” said Jonathan Binstock, Vradenburg Director and CEO, as he raised a glass of champagne inviting guests to toast the MAs.

Planning Committee: Liam Cawley, Kimberly Cunningham, Jonathan Fabella, Megan Sommerfeld, Priyananda Soubam, Bill Spates, Jaya Sullivan, Jeff Whitelow, and Ann Marie Plubell, Coordinator