Intern Spotlight: Sierra Humes
People & Community
In this series, we profile our interns. Phillips interns are an integral part of the museum and work that we do in several different departments: curatorial, education, music, communications and marketing, and more. Our incredible interns also help with our Sunday Concerts, Phillips after 5, and other special events. This semester welcomed our first group of paid interns, part of our institutional values and commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
Sierra Humes, photographed by Kabrea Hayman in front of Poul Gernes “Untitled” in Nordic Impressions: Art from Åland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, 1821–2018
Meet Sierra Humes.
Which department are you interning for and what is your internship project?
I am the intern for the Public Programs Department. My main project is to design a Phillips after 5 for the upcoming fall 2019 exhibition about the Nabis artists. I also help with all Thursday night events!
What do you do when you’re not at The Phillips Collection?
I’m a senior at George Washington University, so when I’m not at The Phillips Collection, I’m going to classes and studying. One of my classes is a painting class at The Corcoran, so often on weekends I’m working on projects in the studio.
What is your favorite space/painting here?
My favorite space at The Phillips Collection is currently the third floor gallery with the skylight. I love the room and find the curation particularly fitting for that space.
If you could describe The Phillips Collection in one word, what would that be?
Aware.
What is a fun fact about you?
My dad owns a summer camp that I went to every year while I was growing up.
Why did you want to intern at a museum?
My interest in museums has grown over the past year, ever since I took an anthropology class taught at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. I loved the museum environment and was fascinated by its position and interaction with educating the public.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Once for a class, we came to The Phillips Collection and I presented on Edouard Vuillard’s Woman Sweeping in French!
