Peer Docent Program- Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College

06/27/2013

The Peer Docent Program will be undergoing a transition in the coming months. While I will be moving on from the Berman Museum as of June 30, it is my hope that all of you AMAZING Ursinus students and alums who have made the program what it is will continue to act on its principles of art-based inquiry, exploration, and dialogue -- whether formally at the Berman, or informally as you go about your daily lives. It has been a tremendous pleasure and a true privilege working with all of you -- Susan Shifrin

05/29/2013

Has anyone been to a museum lately that uses QR (quick response) codes?

05/16/2013

Just because it's summer doesn't mean there's no activity on the Peer Docent front... docents Michelle Tanco and Nate Labourdette will be at the Berman Museum this summer helping to start work on a QR-code based program that will incorporate some of our peer docent engagement strategies to make our outdoor sculpture more accessible... Stay tuned as the project gets up and running!

05/08/2013

A special shout out to wonderful past peer docents and graduating Ursinus College seniors Emily Taylor and Eddy Kosik -- all the best to you as you start your new lives. We will miss you!

05/08/2013

Just as the semester winds down, a nice tip-of-the-hat to the peer docent program from Politics professor Steve Hood:

"I have had the benefit of students from three different campus academic programs in my courses, all benefitting class discussion. A museum docent, a CIE fellow and a Center for Science and the Common Good fellow have all been active discussants in my courses, each student bringing a perspective that is not only shaped by their academic interests, but informed by their participation in their respective programs. The museum docent shared her insights into how texts that are not on the written page inform us differently and reach us in ways that can be transformational. My CSCG student shared his perspective of religious influences on his science training and how he is determined to use science to reach those who realize neither the hope of religion nor the benefits of advanced science in their daily lives. And my CIE fellow shared how his discussion with his CIE group on liberalism helped him realize the real despair that exists in a world where liberal principles are rejected by authoritarian rulers and therefore cannot be claimed by the masses who suffer under the repressive load of despotism. Their insights are valuable and they open up opportunities to share leadership experiences and scholarly perspectives that interest all in the class." Way to go, docents!

04/29/2013

And to all of our peer docents -- new, returning, and on hiatus but soon to return -- we wish you a successful and satisfying end of the semester and look forward to welcoming you back to the peer docent program in Fall 2013!

04/29/2013

The time has come to say good-bye to another impossible-to-replace, peerless leader of the peer docent program. Nate Simasek is leaving us to start his career in teaching -- a career we all know firsthand he was *made* for! We wish you the very best, Nate, and hope you will come back to visit and to assess the progress of the programs you have helped to launch and expand in your time here.

04/22/2013

Next on the Fall 2013 agenda for the peer docent program -- campus sculpture! A few adventurous peer docents led the way on Community Day -- big thanks to Cheyenne Layman, Max Bicking, La'Shante Cox, Celia Morrison, and Katie Faust for turning out and leading great tours!

Here, Celia and Katie are leading the way with a multi-generational family of visitors.

04/18/2013

Many thanks to photographer Mary Altamuro (UC 2015) for helping us to document our docent sessions.

04/14/2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/opinion/sunday/what-the-brain-can-tell-us-about-art.html?smid=fb-share

When we view a work of art, we add our own brush strokes of memory — finishing a creative process that, until then, is incomplete.

04/11/2013

Just a reminder -- come out and support the docents (and get to know more about the sculpture across the Ursinus campus!) on Community Day, Saturday, April 20. The docents will be offering close looking tours to community members between 12:00 and 3:00 or so.