Thank You to our 2026 Summer Interns!
By Bowdoin College Museum of Art
As the Bowdoin College Museum of Art (BCMA) prepares for an exciting academic year ahead, we would like to take a moment to celebrate the stellar work of our five 2026 summer interns! This group contributed so much to the exhibitions, programs, communications, and educational mission of the BCMA, bringing their energy and curiosity to these responsibilities.
In addition to their independent projects, each student designed their own tour of the Museum and led groups of visitors through the galleries. They also participated in weekly reading groups focused on important topics in the art and museum world, from discussing the origins of Western museums in 16th-century cabinets of curiosity to learning about present-day museum financial operations.
The BCMA also had the privilege of participating in an intern exchange program alongside peers from Bowdoin’s Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, the Farnsworth Art Museum, the Colby College Museum of Art, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, and the Bates College Museum of Art. Each institution took turns hosting this large group for days full of connection, art appreciation, and career exploration. The opportunity to visit museums across Maine, learn more about the work happening at each institution, and meet peers on a similar path was certainly a highlight of the summer.
Beyond these shared experiences, each intern also had the opportunity to pursue an independent project tailored to their individual skills and the needs of the Museum.
Camille Baratier ’28, an art history major and Hispanic Studies minor from New York City, served as the curatorial and engagement intern and offered support for the upcoming show Samira Abbassy: After Apocalyse. Camille conducted research on objects from the Museum’s ancient collection which have inspired the contemporary artist Samira Abbassy. Digging into curatorial records then broadening her research, Camille produced a report which has guided Abbassy’s engagement with these museum objects. She also contributed valuable interpretation to this same exhibition, writing wall labels for paintings that will be on view. With her eye for aesthetics, Camille also helped mockup ideas for exhibition design with attention to things such as wall color and lighting. On the engagement side of her role, Camille created family activity guides for USA @ 250, ensuring younger audiences have engaging and educational experiences when they visit the Museum.
Will Davis ’29, a prospective history major from Long Island, New York, came to the Museum this summer as an education intern. Will’s focus was connecting the BCMA’s upcoming exhibitions to the Bowdoin College curriculum. After analyzing the themes of upcoming shows, Will reached out to faculty leading courses this fall and spring whose subject areas intersect with the BCMA’s programming. By making these connections and reaching out directly to faculty, Will has prompted more professors to bring their classes for museum visits. With his personal interest in the history of the United States, Will also began a research project investigating a portrait by Joshua Johnson (1789–1832) in the Museum’s collection. Digging into the curatorial files and other archives, Will went searching for answers as to who is depicted in the painting. Keep a look out for a future article where you can read about his findings.
Laila Nickelson ’25, a visual arts major and cinema studies minor from Bethesda, Maryland, worked as a curatorial intern. Supporting the upcoming show Making and Mending: Greif and Repair in the Atlantic World, Laila conducted research into contemporary Caribbean artists and how their practices can respond to colonial histories. She also researched the use of blue in the work of various artists, including that of artist Daniel Minter, to understand the pigment’s origins as well as the symbolic significance in an Atlantic context. Laila has turned this research into interpretative wall text, so audience members can learn about these histories when the exhibition opens in December 2027.
Claire Stone ’28, a government & legal studies major and English minor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, served as this summer’s communications intern. In her role, Claire organized and produced an interview with Gerlad Clarke, the 2025-2026 halley k harrisburg and Michel Rosenfeld Artist-in-Residence. Read the interview with Clarke to learn how he spent his residency at Bowdoin and what he will be taking away from his time on campus. Claire also put her skills as a photographer to use, capturing shots of the Museum and our events as well as culling through event photos from the past 3 years. Additionally, she took on projects that will help the BCMA reach broader audiences such as designing event publicity materials and filming and producing videos of her fellow interns to be shared on social media.
Juan Carlos Villa ’27, a mathematics and Hispanic Studies double major and theater minor from Dallas, Texas, served as a curatorial intern. Returning to the museum after working as an education intern during the previousacademic year, Juan had the chance to turn his focus towards an upcoming show of David Driskell’s artwork. He put together preliminary research into Driskell and his artistic network, as well as drafted wall labels for the show. Juan also devoted his time towards his own curatorial project, a show in the Becker Gallery titled Contrastes Ejemplares: Art & Literature during the Spanish Golden Age (1492-1700) which is set to open this academic year. From proposing this exhibition, to conducting necessary research, to finalizing the list of artworks, Juan made great progress on his first independent curatorial endeavor.
The BCMA is deeply grateful to this talented group of interns for all they contributed to the Museum this summer, and we hope they will stay connected to the BCMA and continue to be part of our community in the years to come!
Emily Jacobs ’23Curatorial Assistant and Manager of Student Programs