Fellow Spotlight: Mykaela Brevard

In this series, we profile our 2019-20 Sherman Fairchild Fellows. As part of our institutional values and commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion, the Sherman Fairchild Fellowship is a comprehensive, yearlong paid program that includes hands-on experience, mentoring, and professional development. Over the summer, fellows gain experience in all facets of the museum, then in the fall and spring semesters, the fellows focus on projects of their interests. 

Mykaela Brevard earned her BA in Visual Art and Design from North Carolina A&T State University. She is interested in learning about museum work across departments, especially how museums can benefit the community. Mykaela is a ceramicist and hopes to share her clay skills with the Phillips audience.  

Why are you interested in working at a museum? 

I became interested in working at a museum my senior year of undergrad. My mentor introduced a plethora of careers in the museum field (other than director and curator) and I instantly became intrigued. From then on, I began researching internships and fellowships that aligned with my need to explore all facets of the museum. 

What brought you to The Phillips Collection? 

What brought me to the Phillips was the possibility of doing what I mentioned above, learning about and gaining a bit of experience in different departments. So far so good. 

Please tell us about your work at the Phillips over the summer. 

Over the summer I worked with Makeba Clay, Chief Diversity Officer, and fellows Traka Lopez and Jordan Chambers to construct a variety of DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) related workshops and toolkits, as well as participated in professional development sessions and museum visits. 

What is your fall project and how did you choose it? 

My project in the fall will be working at Phillips@THEARC with Monica Jones, Phillips@THEARC Program Coordinator, assisting in the planning and execution of programs, pop-ups, etc. at the museum’s satellite location in Southeast DC. I’m also in talks with teaming up with Donna Jonte who manages our Creative Aging program and a partner at THEARC to run a hand-building clay class. I chose it because I wanted to see what our satellite location was doing to benefit the community it is in, as well as being a part of that impact. I want to do the clay class because it’s my passion and I wanted to share the love with others. 

What is your favorite space/painting/artist here? 

My favorite work in the Phillips is technically not in the Phillips. It’s the mural Diocco (Contact) by Senegalese artists Muhsana Ali, Fodé Camara, Viyé Diba, and Piniang (Ibrahima Niang) on the back of the courtyard wall. I love love love the vibrant colors and the surrealist vibes I get from it. 

If you were to describe the Phillips in one word, what would that word be? 

Interesting. 

What is a fun fact about you? 

I’m a ceramicist :-)