Union artwork stirs passions for student employee
By Emily Connor
From paint brush to Peet’s coffee shop, the journey each piece of Wisconsin Union artwork takes is truly unique. And student employee Katie Reshel knows this is true. Over the last few years, the honors art history and anthropology major has helped hang hundreds of the Wisconsin Union’s 1,200 pieces of art. But Katie’s time hanging each piece has helped create her own unique Union experience.
Over the past three years, Katie has worked in a variety of departments at the Union. Katie began her relationship with the Wisconsin Union in the first semester of her sophomore year through working as a clerk for the Wisconsin Union Theater box office. It was only a few months later that she decided to take on more responsibilities by also working in the Union’s training resource center (TRC). “I realized that the Union is a really fabulous place to work. They’re so accommodating of students and I really admire the mission and values,” said Katie. “I’m a big Union fan!”
It wasn’t long before Katie realized that working with the Union’s enormous permanent art collection could allow her passion for art to flourish. Katie began volunteering with the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) art committee. Eventually her volunteering led to paid position as Katie began working as a gallery and installation assistant for the Union.
The summer before her junior year, Katie was appointed as the summer coordinator for the WUD art committee. She was responsible for the marketing, artist communication and installation for all of the Union art galleries throughout the summer. Katie also got the opportunity to work with Wisconsin-born contemporary artist Robert Burkert when a collection of his paintings and prints were featured in the Memorial Union’sPorter Butts Gallery during the summer of 2009.
Even though being employed as the WUD summer art coordinator took up a lot of her time, Katie continued working in the TRC and Theater box office. Although she admits it was sometimes hectic, Katie believes the responsibilities she was given were a true blessing in disguise. “These are real jobs where you get to grow and develop yourself professionally,” said Katie.
It was the privilege to work with the Union’s massive art collection and meet some of today’s most influential artists that made Katie grateful she’d taken on so many responsibilities. Katie was responsible for curatingpart of the new Union South, including deciding which paintings to hang and where they would look most appropriate. Working with the brand new space was an incredible opportunity Katie never saw coming. “Union South is an amazing building to work with. It was such a significant experience, and I’m so lucky I got the chance to be a part of the art installation,” said Katie.
With all three positions to manage, Katie said she felt lucky to have jobs that gave her the flexibility she needed as a student. “The Union is very accommodating,” said Katie. “You’re always allowed to be a student first and a worker second, which I always appreciated.”
After graduating last May, Katie continues to work in the TRC as a limited-time employed staff. She plans to work until November before leaving for a year-long trip around the world. On her list of destinations include stops through Europe, southeast Asia, Australia, and southern Africa.
Thanks to the Wisconsin Union, the jet-setting Katie won’t be looking all over the world to find her direction in life. Katie sums up her experiences at the Wisconsin Union in one word: orienting. She thanks the organization for stirring her passions and allowing her to figure out what she wanted from life. “Making connections with other people is incredibly important to me,” said Katie. “I’m incredibly lucky that the Union gave me that and so many other unique opportunities.”
