The Samek Art Gallery wishes to congratulate Joanna Wheeler ’12 for gaining employment with Sotheby’s, New York! In honor of this accomplishment, enjoy a guest blog from Joanna commenting on her experiences at Bucknell and looking towards to future…
My name is Joanna Wheeler and I am a senior at Bucknell University with a major in Art History and double minors in Italian and Peace Studies. Throughout my four years on campus, I have been an active member of Be Fashion Magazine, a student-run fashion publication; I am currently the Fashion Editor and a contributing writer. Since 2011, I have been a gallery assistant at the Samek Art Gallery, which has been a rewarding and gratifying experience. I am also a member of “G.E.T.” the Samek Art Gallery’s Student Engagement Team, working to heighten the Gallery’s presence and art-related events on campus with the hope of promoting student involvement in the Gallery and in the arts in general.
After interning at Sotheby’s art auction house in New York City last summer, I was offered a position in their Manhattan office in the Floater program, a program designed to offer additional staff to key departments on a temporary basis depending on business needs. This is an incredible opportunity and I feel very fortunate to have received placement at “my dream job.” As a Floater at Sotheby’s, I will have the opportunity to work in various departments, including the more art-oriented Specialist departments (there are over 32 categories of Specialist departments, which deal directly with the appraisal, acquisition and sale of works of art) as well as the client- based, business-oriented departments. I am eager to work for such a prestigious company and be surrounded by brilliant art connoisseurs, art market experts, and of course, truly exceptional works of art.
My leadership positions in the Gallery Engagement Team, Samek Art Gallery, and Bucknell’s demanding, yet enthralling coursework has strengthened my passion for art. As a result, my eagerness to expand my knowledge of artistic styles, mediums, and artists has shaped my critical eye. The analysis and work required in my Studio Art and Art History courses at Bucknell has provided a solid foundation for my interest in art and art auctioneering.