Ellie Schleper is an art major at the College of Saint Benedict hoping to one day curate collections – be it at a museum or elsewhere.
Mariah Brooks is majoring in biochemistry and knows research experience will be essential when she begins her job search – the more unique the better.
So the project they’re collaborating on this summer is giving them both a leg up on their futures.
Schleper, who will be a senior this fall, and Brooks, who will be a junior, are combing through the extensive art collection at Saint John’s University (which contains well over 2,000 pieces) and items the art department at CSB and SJU have in storage.
Their mission? Selecting artwork, apparatuses and artifacts to reorganize and/or refresh those currently on display in the New Science Center and the connected Peter Engel Science Center on the SJU campus.
Particular attention is being paid to making the displays more welcoming to and representative of everyone studying and working in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
“I want to go into curation so this is basically what I’m probably going to be doing,” Schleper said. “I’ve never really thought a lot about the relationship between art and science, and working on this project is widening my thoughts about that and my knowledge base. Working with a bio student has helped expand my perspective as well.
“It’s really been a helpful experience.”
“I was looking for something to do this summer that was research-based but was also kind of different in a way that would help me stand out,” Brooks added. “I’m a pre-med student and it’s hard to really make yourself stand out when you’re applying to medical schools. But this is something I don’t think a lot of other people are doing.
“I also have a background in art. It’s my minor and I’ve taken a lot of art classes. It’s been an interest I’ve had for a while. Getting the chance to expand on that was really exciting.”
The project’s origins stemmed from an online course taken by Trevor Keyler, an assistant professor of biology at CSB and SJU. It focused on integrating inclusivity into the classroom.
One of the requirements was coming up with a proposal for a final project.
“You didn’t have to implement it, but you had to come up with one,” he said. “But I came up with this idea and spent so much time on it that I wanted to find a way to bring it to life.”
So he approached Carol Brash, an associate professor of art. The two put together a formal proposal and secured funding through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholars at CSB and SJU, which each summer provides collaborative grants to student-faculty teams to complete a 10-week summer research project.
“We have a lot of double majors between science and art, or students who major in one and minor in the other,” Brash said. “I teach a class on art and medicine, and I try to include scientific pieces and make those connections where I can in all my classes. So when Trevor reached out, it made sense to me.
“I’m all for trying to create different kinds of awareness in as many spaces as we can.”
But while Keyler and Brash are on hand to provide support and guidance, the final choices on which pieces or items are selected for display are being made by Schleper and Brooks.
They are also writing summaries of the work selected for an art catalogue that will be accessible via QR codes.
“Everyone needs to come into their own at some point,” Schleper said.
“My confidence in myself is growing a lot through this project. It’s meant a lot to my growth academically and professionally. It’s something I can point to on my resume and say, ‘I did something really cool and I’m proud of it.’ That’s important to me.”
Schleper and Brooks had met just once prior to starting the project, but the pair said a friendship has quickly developed.
“One hundred percent,” Brooks said. “We actually went to the Franconia Sculpture Park (recently) just to have a day trip and get to know art. That was eye-opening for me because I’ve never really been to a place like that before.”
“Working with a biology student and getting her perspective has been so cool,” Schleper added. “Seeing her perspectives related to art has been enlightening. She’s had some ideas I wouldn’t have thought about and I think that dynamic is really helping to make this project successful.”
Brooks said a project like this is part of what makes CSB and SJU so special.
“Just having the opportunity to explore your interests in unique ways,” she said. “At a larger school, you might not have the supportive community and the supportive professors you need to make that happen.
“You might not even think to do it because it means stepping outside your comfort zone and collaborating outside your major. But here you can do whatever you put your mind to. There are no limits to what’s possible.”