My first week of work as an intern with the Contemporary was a real eye opener to just how much work goes on behind the scenes to make an opening appear effortless. As a museum visitor, I took many things for granted. Things like security, beverages, installation, art labels and gallery guides just magically happen, right? Well, not really. I never thought about how someone has to fold and hole-punch all those gallery guides. How someone has to design those labels and signs. How someone has to work with representatives from other companies to arrange for security and beverage service. Someone even has to move and build the walls! Even more happens behind the scenes like dinners and numerous meetings with the artists. It’s amazing that all this (and MUCH more) is accomplished with a staff of 13 (and a few eager interns), and I’m thrilled to be here for it all.

So, next time you visit the Contemporary, take a second to look around and notice all the little things that add up to one great experience. Oh, and think twice before you throw away that gallery guide!

Heather Tribbett is an intern in the Development Department

What’s all the excitement? On Sunday, January 3, the CAM hosted the Piñata Closing Party for the end of the exhibition, For the blind man… For my first event with the CAM, I was intrigued to discover the large community involvement and the amazing amount of excitement that unfolded. People of all ages came out to take a swing and enjoy complimentary appetizers. After an hour of blindfolded people at bat, the piñata busted and kids, teens, and parents rushed to gather the hidden goodies. With tons of energy and laughter filling the museum, this was truly a great way to begin my internship.

After the cleanup and all the goodbyes, I gathered with Cole and a few others to start the removal of the exhibition. The prep work, organization, and the art removal itself, all has to be done with such intricate details. We started section by section, removing pieces and collecting evidence for the condition reports. Handling the art in such an intimate, delicate fashion gave me the chance to interpret each piece on an individual basis. Though I didn’t have a chance to stay to help finish up that evening, the next experience will be just as interesting and exciting.

Tabitha Schnurbusch is an intern in the Exhibitions Department

Last year, the winter in St. Louis left devastating effects, as St. Louis NPR reporter Tom Weber reported, “hundreds of thousands were waiting for electricity and temperatures hovered in the teens and 20s, slowing down cleaning efforts. . .”  This year, St. Louis is still cold (but much better), and I’m sad to report that our friend Tom Weber will be moving to a much colder and snow-filled area – Minnesota, to continue his broadcast career at another NPR affiliate station.  We’ll miss him; he was great for St. Louis.  What to do? Well, let’s get away from this cold, let’s talk sunshine…  

The Contemporary’s Collectors group just returned from its annual trip to Art Basel Miami Beach.  With the recent weather in St. Louis, I would go to Miami for a dentist convention (just joking, Dr. Spataro).  This is the 6th year for the art fair and each year it has grown tremendously.  The proof that art can create economy for a city (and a tremendous one at that) is evident every December in Miami.  More than 40,000 people traveled to this exhilarating city the first week in December and the draw (no pun intended) was contemporary art.  We’ll be returning next year so if you want some of this sunshine and fun, ask about the Contemporary’s Collectors group and how to join.  You can email Erinn at Erinn.gavaghan@contemporarystl.org for more info on joining the group.

It was great, but it was almost too much (key word there being almost).  In addition to the main art fair representing more than 200 galleries from all over the world, there were 20 satellite art fairs.  If you do the math, that’s a lot of galleries and works of art to see.  Thank goodness that the evenings allowed you to unwind in some of the amazingly beautiful (and expensive) restaurants and clubs.  Do you think the prices go down when the fair leaves the city?  Just curious.  The art market seems to be oblivious to the current economic trends and all the booths reported brisk sales.  This year was tremendously interesting.  It’s Samual Keller’s last year as the director of Art Basel –he’s moving onto be the director of the Beyler Foundation.  As far as music goes, I deeply missed both Iggy Pop and Dear Hoof.  And celebrity sightings—well, there were too many to name.  So, if you like art, a scene, and being warm in December, you should think about coming to the next year’s fair.  Give yourself a break, be nice to yourself.  You’ll thank me next December. 
Your friendly Contemporary Blog Intern. 

Dzine, an artist Contemporary once exhibited, shows off his work for Deitch Project

 Laura Fried, Contemporary’s Assistant Curator, Dzine, Susan and David Sherman

Artist, Amy Granat along with Anthony Huberman, Contemporary’s Chief Curator