Name: Taryn Clary, MA ‘19
Hometown: Rye, NY
College: Amherst College

My passion for 19th- and early 20th-century American art and design began in my hometown and has grown in each new setting, from college to summer internships to full-time employment. When deciding on an MA program to attend, I chose BGC because I knew it would be an unparalleled opportunity to build upon this interest and investigate the material culture of New York. My coursework has included “American Decorative Arts at the Brooklyn Museum,” which deepened my understanding of the practical challenges institutions face in arranging their collections. Another course, “Excavating the Empire City,” explored the rich history of New York City through its archaeological traces, demonstrating how the interpretation of artifacts in relation to the written record enhances our understanding of the past. Making use of the myriad museums and galleries in the area, BGC also emphasizes hands-on experience. In two years I’ve had the opportunity to assist a professor with a Focus Project exhibition, serve as a curatorial intern at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, and design my own Exhibition Qualifying Paper. With a BGC education as my foundation, I feel well equipped to pursue a constellation of professional positions, with the goal of expanding how people engage with design and material culture in all its dimensions.