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Artists at the Blanton: When a Museum Job is Muse

Artists at the Blanton: When a Museum Job is Muse

Introduction by Lizabel Stella, Social Media & Digital Content Manager, Blanton Museum of Art

How can a job be your muse? The exhibition Day Jobs, on view at the Blanton through July 23, 2023, probes this very question.

Many visual artists in the U.S. struggle to make a living solely through their art, and the need to take on additional work to supplement income seems inevitable. What if such employment could likewise fuel artistic practice? What if it could inspire new ideas and new ways of thinking? The artworks on view in Day Jobs showcase how taking on jobs, like dishwasher, furniture maker, graphic designer, hairstylist, ICU nurse, lawyer, nanny, and even museum professional, provided more than just a pay check for artists.

A grid of five different people that work at the Blanton Museum of Art

I invited fellow staff at the Blanton to share their own experiences of what it’s like to be a visual artist and work in an art museum. Click on the names to read about them in their own words. I hope their stories serve as inspiration and you enjoy getting to know more about the artists behind so many important roles at the Blanton.

Amanda ready to greet visitors in the museum.
Scribing some ideas down during free time.
Andrew in his wood workshop at the Blanton.
Andrew next to his work titled “Serenity Now” at the exhibition Crossing the Line: Drawings from the Mexic-Arte Museum Permanent Collection in 2019.
Annalise preparing An Island (6) by Yayoi Kusama for collections housing.
Working on one of her woodcuts inside her studio space.
A moment to pause while waiting for a delivery truck.
Christopher inside his own work space.
Savoring the completed new grounds on the Moody Patio.
Eric with one of his works in progress.
Checking on cooling and heating elements in the museum.
With one of the works from his “Fractured Portraits” series.
A moment to sketch, illuminated by monument for V. Tatlin by Dan Flavin.
Inside her workspace, Kalia with some of the many drawings that inform future paintings.
Placing new wall vinyl about Austin by Ellsworth Kelly.
Matthew inside his studio space, next to some of his artworks.
Carrying out a condition report in the Paper Vault.
Getting some time to work on a painting of his own.
Teaching a K-12 group about an exhibition at the Blanton.
Neal in his art studio.
Admiring a favorite work while patrolling the galleries.
Rewon with some of her artworks.
Siobhán at her desk at the Blanton, catching up on emails.
In her art studio, Siobhán works on a project.
Taryn positions the camera to capture a work of art.
Outside at home, making a cyanotype with the sun.
A moment to pause, surrounded by Stacked Waters by Teresita Fernández.
Surrounded by her work, Vanessa in her studio space.

See the show that inspired this blog through July 23, 2023. Visit the Day Jobs exhibition page for more information about the show.

Interested in working at the Blanton? See what vacancies are open on our Employment page!

2 thoughts on “Artists at the Blanton: When a Museum Job is Muse”

  1. Thank you so so much not only for this insightful post but also for the exhibition that inspired and informed your post! Truly eye opening! As an emerging multidisciplinary visual artist myself whose day job involves being a food delivery driver I now find that the associated objects and materials as well as my place of employment has already taken an influential role in my thinking, perception, and approach to my practice and life. Also, it’s about time that the world knows and understands the inner workings of the artistic population and the modes and methods this community utilizes in order for them to see and enjoy success. The fruits of their labor, so to speak. I hope that an accompanying exhibition catalog for Day Jobs will be forthcoming and available to purchase as I’ve browsed your site and have not seen one, as I would love to dig deeper into the concept behind this earth shattering show. Pun intended: good job!
    —Cheri Regis

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