Celebrating the 2024–25 Academic Year Interns

Each academic year, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art (BCMA) is fortunate to work with a cohort of student interns who bring new energy and insight to our exhibitions, programs, and research. This year’s interns contributed to projects ranging from exhibition development to public engagement, working closely with the Museum’s professional staff. Their wide-ranging interests and thoughtful perspectives facilitated new ways of thinking at the BCMA, underscoring our commitment to student learning and collaboration across disciplines.

Chris Zhang ’25 is an English major who joined the museum as a Curatorial Assistant. This year, Chris co-curated John McKee: As Maine Goes with co-director Frank Goodyear, conducting extensive research on photographer John McKee and the environmental movement of the 1960s and ’70s. Chris’s contributions included label writing and a special project revisiting the original sites of McKee’s photographs to document how the Maine landscape has changed over time. Reflecting on the experience, Chris said, “It’s a wonderful full-circle moment for me to work closely with Frank on a show centered on Maine and Bowdoin. Exploring the College archives and hearing from generations of alumni whom McKee influenced deepened my appreciation for the lasting impact of the BCMA and the Bowdoin community. This internship is certainly one of the highlights of my Bowdoin career.”

Neiman Mocombe ’26 is an art history and religion double major who served as the Curatorial Assistant for Campus Engagement during the fall semester. In this role, he collaborated closely with members of the Academic Initiatives team, including Sean Kramer, Andrew W. Mellon postdoctoral curatorial fellow, Cassandra Braun, curator, and Emily Jacobs, curatorial fellow and manager of student programs. In addition to developing new ideas for student engagement at the BCMA, Neiman designed a survey to collect feedback from the campus community about their experiences with the Museum. Neiman traveled to South Korea to study abroad during the spring semester, and his thoughtful contributions and lasting impact continue to shape the Museum’s student outreach and campus-focused programming.

Julia Smart ’25 is an art history and English double major who returned to the BCMA for an academic year Curatorial Assistant position after also serving as a summer intern in 2024. Building on her previous work, Julia collaborated with Andrew W. Mellon postdoctoral curatorial fellow Sean Kramer on the opening of Irreplaceable You: Personhood and Dignity in Art, 1980s to Now, co-leading a gallery tour and developing a family guide to welcome younger audiences to the exhibition. In the spring, she transitioned into the role of Curatorial Assistant for Campus Engagement, helping to promote Museum events and launching a student merchandise design competition. “My favorite thing about working at the Museum has been getting to know all of the staff,” Julia shared. “I've shared so many laughs, asked for so much advice, and learned so much about working in the art world.”

Audrey Fillion ’25, a Biochemistry major, has held a variety of roles at the BCMA during her time at Bowdoin, beginning as a Museum Ambassador and later serving as the Education Assistant in her senior year. In this role, she worked closely with Emily Jacobs, curatorial fellow and manager of student programs, to support student-driven initiatives and came full circle by serving as a liaison to the current group of Student Museum Ambassadors. Audrey led planning meetings and helped organize a wide range of events that combined artmaking, relaxation, and community. From craft workshops to coffee breaks, she created welcoming spaces for students to engage with the Museum’s exhibitions. “A highlight has definitely been getting to know the Ambassadors and helping them create programs for their peers,” Audrey said. “I especially enjoyed helping the Ambassadors dive deeper into the exhibits with the tours they created—I found myself learning something new from each of them!”

Pilar Saavedra-Weis ’25 brought her skills as an artist and her strong research background to the role of Curatorial Assistant. The biochemistry and Hispanic Studies double major and visual arts minor worked with curator Cassandra (Casey) Braun on an upcoming retrospective of artist Josefina Auslender. To support the exhibition, Pilar transcribed interviews with the artist, helped assemble a bibliography, and contributed a written piece to the accompanying publication. Pilar appreciated the opportunity to support the curatorial process behind the scenes, noting, “working alongside Casey has exposed me to all the seemingly minor details that go into planning for an exhibition, and I have found this incredibly valuable.”

Karime Borrego ’27 is a history and anthropology double major who served as a Curatorial Assistant working with co-director Anne Collin Goodyear. Karime focused on supporting an upcoming exhibition of modernist art across Mexico and the United States, with particular attention to figures such as Walter Pach and Marsden Hartley. Her research explored how these individuals helped shape cultural exchange between the two nations. “What left a lasting impression from my time at the BCMA was how deeply collaborative curatorial work is—the power of many voices, perspectives, and areas of expertise coming together to shape something meaningful,” Karime reflected. “This was evident as I visited different museums, examined diverse collections, and had the privilege of meeting scholars who shared their insights and experiences.”

The BCMA extends its sincere thanks to Chris, Neiman, Julia, Audrey, Pilar, and Karime for their incredible contributions over the 2024–2025 academic year. Their work has enriched the Museum and made a lasting impact on all who had an opportunity to collaborate with them. We can’t wait to see what they do next!