Glo Says Let's Talk Local, Vancouver

What ART Thou? Ask a Docent.

Season 5 Episode 9

In today’s episode of ‘Glo Says Let's Talk Local’ podcast - Season 5 - What ART thou? Where ART thou? (A weekly Business, Entrepreneur and Arts Podcast) Gloria speaks to some Docents (Esther, Fides and Ginley) today who lead guided tours on a voluntary basis in a Museum or an Art Gallery. If you ever find yourself staring quizzically at something in a museum and wondering, ‘What Art Thou?!' Go ask a Docent.  They will be happy to help you.

Episode Highlights

  • 02:40 – Esther says she worked as a Docent in a Creative Art Gallery in Singapore where they specialized in Printmaking and Fine Art Prints and it was quite helpful to learn how they created that art.
  • 04:40 – Gloria asks all the three guests about why they wanted to be a Docent.
  • 06:50 – Ginley says that in Denver they have a preschool program, early elementary program and then a middle and high school program.
  • 17:00 – Esther describes her favourite artists or artworks in an Art Gallery.
  • 19:15 – Fides says that she loves ‘Van Gogh’ and ‘Matisse’ and would love them on her wall.
  • 21:00 – All the speakers give their opinion about the firing of Docents in Chicago.
  • 24:00 – Gloria asks about any current art shows they would recommend to the public to see.

Some Key Points 

  1. Fides shares that at the Vancouver Art Gallery, it’s not only about giving kids information but also engaging them so they would think critically by using the Visual Thinking Strategy, which is student centred.
  2. Esther says that she had an idea but had no understanding of how much preparation goes into being a Docent in addition to the training, which is extensive, especially if you have no art background.

Quotes:

  • “I appreciate that you guys have a lot of training and passion for this position.” – Gloria
  • “I would recommend coming to Denver to see the new Martin Building.” – Ginley

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