Image by Deysy Roman

Can you share some background on yourself and your current studies or role?  

My name is Gabriella Herrera. I’m currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in art education at Tennessee Technological University. Going into art education was a natural path based on the combination of my love for working with children and my passion for art and design.  

What made you choose Sotheby’s Institute of Art for your studies? 

Attending Sotheby’s Institute was an immediate decision for me because their reputation truly precedes them. There’s no better place to go when you’re interested in a career in the arts.  

Ever since I stepped foot in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, I knew that working in museums was my dream career. Curating shows and working behind the scenes of showcases and exhibitions has been a career path I’ve been interested in since I started my undergraduate studies. Once I looked into Sotheby’s Summer Program, I knew that I had to be part of it.   

What significance does studying in London hold for you, and what was the most interesting thing you learned or experienced during your time there?  

Having the chance to explore one of the most art-filled cities for an entire month was a dream come true. Having Amy Mechoswki as an instructor was truly a gift as her art knowledge was all-encompassing.  

Each day, I would leave the lecture enlightened, and then the class would travel to a specific gallery or museum where what we learned about in lecture was directly before our eyes. Seeing specific means and methods of curating in practice made the experience feel so well-rounded. It made it feel like everything we were learning about had true purpose.  

We ended each day in a new neighborhood in London, so it was really fun to be able to explore new parts of the city every day after class. 

The combination of people, food, nightlife, and museums is what made this experience in London so unique. I can now say I have friends all over the globe.  

What were the most valuable skills you gained during the program?  

One of the biggest highlights of the program for me was learning about all of the things it actually takes to make an exhibit. The importance of public programming is what I consider to be the most valuable aspect of curating.  

Planning events and collaborating with charities and female-owned businesses was a top priority for me and my team while we worked on our final project. Being able to bridge the gap between the art world and the public is a crucial aspect when you’re creating exhibits and shows that rely on ticket sales.  

Going into the program, I had no real idea what went into curating museums; it was just something I wanted to learn more about. So being able to talk to people in prominent art spaces, from audio/visual production and set design to publicity and public programming, has broadened my horizons. I am now considering several different positions in the field other than just curating. 

Describe your favorite day of the program. Where did you go? Who did you meet?  

Every day was so interesting that I never thought it could get better, but each day I was surprised. One of the coolest things we got to experience was speaking to the head curator of the mudlarkers exhibit at the London Museum Docklands. Hearing directly from the curator and then seeing the show right after was so exciting because I could see the final product and understand the process of her decision-making.   

Also, hearing directly from our course leader, Amy, who works at The National Gallery in addition to Sotheby’s Institute, was a neat way to get personal insight into curating at a more traditional gallery.  

What was your day-to-day experience like?  

Every day, I would hop on the tube at Chalk Farm Station and ride to Tottenham Court or Goodge Street. I would walk to Gail’s bakery and grab a pastry and a fun drink to start my morning. Then I would normally chat with some of the other students in the different programs in the student lounge.  

Each day, we would normally start with a lecture and then have a guest speaker talk with us. Classes incorporated workshops to ideate on the different aspects of curating that we had been learning about all morning, and we had designated days to work in our groups for our final project.  

Each day, my good friend Charlee and I would grab lunch and meet up with friends from the Luxury Business course. After lunch, we would make our way to a museum or gallery. 

When class was dismissed, normally, Charlee and I would stay in the museum. Then we would explore whatever neighborhood we were in, grab dinner, and have drinks. We did that basically every day!  

How has the program contributed to your growth, either professionally or academically? 

It may seem silly, but whenever my friends and family ask about this program and my time in London, all I can really say is that it changed my life. Being on my own for the first time ever, I learned a lot about myself—what it takes to thrive in new environments and how to navigate new cities, achieve my dreams, and study in another country.  

This course helped me figure out what I want to do once I leave the classroom. I feel more well-rounded as a person because I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many new people who come from different cultures and have varying backgrounds and experiences.   

I know that working abroad is something that I want for myself now, and every decision I make in my undergraduate studies will be with the aim of meeting that goal.