The Making of the Virtual Companion

The Virtual Companion is a special project. Funded by the Sheila Hugh MacKay Foundation, it is based under the mentorship model. As Project Intern, the Virtual Companion presented exciting opportunities for me to research, to expand my knowledge of video editing and web design and to interact with the artists.  Under the mentorship of Lucy MacDonald, The Robert V. and Grace Barritt Curator of Education and Community Outreach, and Jane Tisdale, Exhibition Curator and Fine Arts Conservator, I was able to bring together and present the content for the Virtual Companion and organize an interactive layout which will engage visitors.  Both Lucy and Jane provided a plethora of knowledge from their respective fields, and along with guidance from Gallery Director, Gemey Kelly, the Virtual Companion gradually developed during the summer of 2015.

Throughout the process of assisting with the exhibition and developing the Virtual Companion, I kept a journal to record my general thoughts, related drawings, and design ideas-- some of which can be seen in the following slide show.

 

I hope that the presentation of this wealth of archival photographs, preparatory drawings for design work, oral histories and other material addressing the history of the Applied Arts program, will provide visitors to the Virtual Companion with an in-depth look at the objects and their historical significance. The Virtual Companion allows the exhibition to live on, even after the objects are no longer on display at the Owens Art Gallery.

 

I would like to thank the Sheila Hugh MacKay Foundation for their generosity, which made this project possible.

 

- Rachel Thornton, Project Intern