Volunteer Spotlight is a series where we shine a light on one of our awesome volunteers each month. Spotlights highlight the personalities of our volunteers and share more about their connections to the Frye.
This month, we are spotlighting Laura Martin, one of our dedicated Collections volunteers. We interviewed Laura to learn more about her and her time at the Frye.
Hi Laura! Can you share how long you have been at the Frye and why you decided to volunteer?
I began as an intern at the Frye in April 2021, as a part of my certification in Museum Studies through the UW, and I enjoyed the project so much that I wanted to continue it as a volunteer. I like getting back to my roots in Art History, and learning about all the artists.
What does your volunteer work at the Frye consist of?
I am a volunteer in the collections department, writing and editing artists’ biographies for the [online collection database]. I create short, simple paragraphs about each artist, culled from various sources, but I keep it objective and cut out all the opinions about their work! Just the facts, ma'am (I do have to keep reminding myself of that, though).
What pieces, artists, programs, or exhibitions do you remember most fondly from your experiences at the Frye?
There have been many over the years but recently I was very impressed with Unsettling Femininity: Selections from the Frye Art Museum Collection, as it fits exactly with my interests in feminism and 19th century art. The way we look at art should be continually evolving and relevant to understanding our history and our culture and I found that show especially insightful and relevant.
What is something others may be surprised to know about you?
I know how to juggle and pass clubs, and I’ve danced on stage at the Oregon Country Fair. I’m also a certified yoga instructor.
Who are your favorite artists and why?
It’s impossible to pick a favorite artist but Cezanne, Seurat, Rothko, Morisot, Manet, Magritte, De Chirico, Bonnard, and Louise Bourgeois jump to mind. I grew up in New York City in the 70’s immersed in pop art and happenings as well as everything the classic museums had to offer. I love modern art but also everything ancient! My major at NYU was Art History and I specialized in ancient Greek art and Egyptian art at that time. I then went on to work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and love so much in their collections. For my MA in Art History, I focused on late 19th century European art and all the “isms” of the first half of the 20th century, such as fauvism, surrealism, and abstract expressionism.
Besides volunteering at the Frye, what do you like to do?
I very much enjoyed teaching my international students English, but, as that job went away during COVID, I am looking for a new career. I still tutor online. I read about science and history, and watch movies as well as take care of two gorgeous black cats (adopted during the pandemic) and supervise all of my husband's gardening work.
How have you been spending your time in the wake of COVID-19?
In the wake of COVID-19 I am starting to come out of my shell and see friends again, visit museums and eat out in restaurants. I had the opportunity to take the museum studies certification program online through UW during the pandemic, and now I am meeting up with my colleagues from those classes for the first time in person.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Seattle?
Attending the annual SIFF and Moisture Festivals, with my friends. I also love taking pictures of architecture and especially catching the contrasts between old and new, documenting neighborhood change. Taking seasonal photos on UW campus and in the arboretum are regular pastimes.
Anatol San Jose Steck
Development Coordinator