Graduating AU senior Madie Champion, one of The Jule’s student guides.
Q: What is your major and why did you choose it?
A: I chose Software Engineering as my major to challenge myself. I had previously jumped between various liberal arts majors until deciding to look elsewhere. I didn’t feel called to any subject specifically, so I decided to go with something new and out of my comfort zone. This was a chance for me to prove to myself that if I worked hard enough, I could be an engineer, or anything, despite coming from a “non-traditional” background.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your program?
A: My favorite thing about the Software Engineering program is how challenging and satisfying the end result is. While staying up all night and having some assignments bring you to tears is definitely not ideal, getting past the errors and seeing your program run is the best feeling. I love all of the intricate details and patterns that you get to problem solve with on every project.
Q: What is your career goal?
A: Despite studying something in a technical field, my career goal is to be a full-time creative. In all of my time not spent studying, I am focused on writing and illustration. My hope is to one day be a children’s book author and illustrator, and I plan on taking time after I graduate before starting my full-time job to pursue this more seriously.
Q: What has been your favorite part of working at The Jule?
A: My favorite part of working at The Jule has been the truly immersive learning experience it offers. Being surrounded by diverse forms of art and artists from all walks of life has taught me more than any classroom ever could. Each new exhibition opens a window into the human experience, allowing me to see the world through a wide range of perspectives.
Q: What experience have you gained at The Jule you expect to carry into your career?
A: The greatest experience I have gained at The Jule is learning to ask more questions. As a student guide, a majority of your job is researching artists and crafting tours to give to different age groups and demographics of people. Through doing detailed research for many semesters and different exhibitions, I have learned to look past the surface of things and get to know the bigger picture. In addition to this, asking my tour groups questions has taught me so much. There is so much you can learn solely by asking questions to get people to truly think about the piece, share what they see and give insight into their unique perspectives. I foresee myself being able to carry this with me not only in my career, but in every aspect of my life.
The Jule’s Madie Champion (left) speaking to K-12 museum visitors about Bethany Collins’ series, “The Southern Review.”
Q: How has your time working at The Jule informed your coursework or choice of major?
A: Working on the alt-text project at the museum pushed me to take an Accessible Computing class this semester. It opened my eyes to the ways that people experience spaces like museums and how important it is to make it as accessible as possible. Through taking this class I have learned so much about different ways that art can, and should be able to be experienced by everyone.
Q: What has surprised you the most about working in an academic art museum?
A: I remember being the most surprised when I learned that I was able to honestly and respectfully dislike the pieces we had on view. It opened my eyes that museums are a place for conversation and a variety of opinions and viewpoints. Not every piece or exhibition will be loved by everyone and those feelings are openly welcome in the museum. We love to bring the works into a place of conversation!
Q: Have you participated in any research or projects at The Jule and in general at AU?
A: For the past three years I have been the graphics editor at The Auburn Plainsman. These projects consist of hand drawn illustrations for stories done by student writers, and designing or illustrating the covers of our printed editions. Being a member of this organization has been one of my favorite experiences as a student at Auburn.
Q: What is your favorite work of art at The Jule Museum from our collection or exhibitions?
A: My favorite piece is The Wake by Walter Hood. The piece portrays Hood’s memory of going to his family members’ wake in segregated North Carolina as a young child. The distorted imagery represents the lack of true clarity memories present themselves in. Researching these pieces and hearing Hood speak about them at The Jule led me to learn about W.E.B Dubois’ double consciousness concept and his legacy and accomplishments. Walter Hood’s Arc of Life/Ark of Bones exhibition spoke about identity and used literary and historical elements to create conversation about how history is kept and how stories remain untold.
