That Awesome Summer When Lena Horne Guided My Career Intentions

By Aysha Preston, 2009 “Portraits Alive!” alumnus

I have always known that I was interested in a museum career, but did not know exactly what I wanted to do. I am a native Washingtonian, and the Smithsonian has been a major part of my life, culturally and academically. I remember visiting the National Zoo with my family, spending summers at the Sculpture Garden with my grandparents, and getting lost (literally) with my friends in Natural History. I have made many memories here, and I am proud to say that I have always learned something new. I am currently a summer research fellow in the Archives Center at the National Museum of American History. My quest for knowledge is never-ending.

I spent the summer before college in the DC Summer Youth program, working at the National Portrait Gallery with Geri Provost-Lyons, her amazing interns, and others in the program on the “Portraits Alive!” series. It was one of the coolest “jobs” I have ever had. I researched Lena Horne, a renowned Harlem Renaissance singer whose portrait is beautifully displayed in the museum’s “BRAVO!” exhibition. As a “Portraits Alive!” teen ambassador, I was expected to select a figure from a portrait, prepare a monologue, and perform the monologue on a walking tour of the museum. My community theater experience made me excited for that summer of unique and interactive museum tours.

Prior to this experience, I shamefully thought that museums mainly consisted of docents and curators. This is so untrue! That summer taught me that there are careers for everyone under the sun at the Smithsonian. I think it is important to know that I can continue my studies and translate my work and interests into information that is widely available through museums. Before I was a teen ambassador, I had no clue that the museum was much more than paintings and artifacts. It really is an interactive university—full of researchers, archivists, coordinators—and I love it!

The Smithsonian has served as a guiding light in my career path. I now know that I want to continue to engage audiences, educate the public, and host events in educational and public programming. I attribute a lot of this self-discovery to my participation in “Portraits Alive!” It is refreshing to know that my academic path in a PhD program does not automatically make me a soon-to-be college professor. It’s also pretty cool to learn that some of my fellow cohort members are also pursuing advanced degrees and working in museums.

I am confident that I will continue to connect with people and bring more interested learners into museums—scholars, vacation-goers, and those with curious minds. I consider myself fortunate to have been assigned to the National Portrait Gallery to work with Geri and such an amazing group of young people. Lena Horne, a show-stopping powerhouse, eloquently said, “It’s so nice to get the flowers while you can still smell the fragrance.”

Six years after “Portraits Alive!” and now as a summer research fellow, I still smell the fragrance. As a PhD student beginning to think critically about my fast-approaching career, museums and museum education continue to excite me. I hope that the “Portraits Alive!” program (and other programs that catapult youth into museums) lives on to encourage others to consider museum careers and have fun while contributing to the educational experiences of museum visitors.