By Annalise Ray

Dr. Jennifer Siegler, a lecturer at Georgia State University’s Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design, has recently received a mini-grant from the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Online Education (CETLOE) to support her latest project. Her work integrates the newly acquired Larry M. and Gwendolyn E. Walker Collection of Art donation into a hands-on syllabus. She plans to prepare GSU students with knowledge of art handling, collection, storage creation, and exhibition design – giving her students the skills and experience necessary for early-career museum management.

Dr. Siegler’s primary research focuses on Latin American museum collections with Latin American art, and she hopes to expand the scope of art history.

“Ideally, my research would address the context in which objects are found archaeologically or contain a continuous historical record, as many objects in museums are devoid of this information. The research aims to investigate these objects, incorporate them, and contextualize them within broader research projects,” she said.

Her passion for working with museum objects began during her studies at Emory University, where she gained firsthand experience integrating museum collections into her coursework. While receiving her B.A. in Art History from Oglethorpe University, she formed an individualized major in the field which was later formalized by the university after her graduation.

“In retrospect, this was an early experience in curriculum development,” she said.

While at Georgia State, Dr. Siegler has remained dedicated to advancing student success and field development. Her CETLOE-supported project aligns with GSU’s High-Impact Practices (HIPs) and Experimental Learning and provides students with opportunities to play an active hand in museum curation.

“This project is rich with High-Impact Practices, such as hands-on experiences. The 25 students in my class are scheduled to engage with accessioning a new collection, including measuring, describing, and completing a condition report for the time of donation,” she explained.

The course, taught for the first time in Spring 2025, immerses students in every aspect of art collection management and culminates with a comprehensive exhibit-curating proposal, equipping students with practical skills that bridge academic theory and resume experience.

She inspires students to think critically about art and its historical narratives, encouraging them to orally and literally engage with visual elements. Her passion for experiential learning extends beyond her CETLOE project. She has consistently integrated material objects into her teaching, such as utilizing the Lowenberg Pre-Columbian Collection at Georgia State University and textiles from her research in Tanzania to supplement her lectures.

“Students can relate to different themes present in these textiles and make a more specific connection to the material than would be possible only with images,” she said.

Dr. Siegler’s teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of understanding cultures and histories through the study of art. Her CETLOE grant project is an extension of this philosophy, creating opportunities for students to work with material art collections while contributing to the university’s strategic goals. By integrating the Walker Collection into her curriculum, she not only enhances student learning but also advances Georgia State’s vision of innovative education and student success.

Dr. Siegler’s goals for her time at Georgia State extend beyond her courses. Aided by her grant, she hopes to form a Museum Studies program that integrates disciplines such as art history, psychology, anthropology, interior design, English, and education, to name a few. This interdisciplinary approach would help establish an art museum on campus and strengthen students’ opportunities for direct engagement with art curation and management.

When she’s not teaching or researching, Dr. Siegler enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, baking, and exploring the outdoors. Her CETLOE-funded project exemplifies her unique approach to education. By integrating a recently donated art collection into her curriculum, she’s taking the initiative to bridge theory and practice for her students, bolstering their educational experience and professional foundation.

— Annalise Ray is a graduate administrative assistant in the Office of the Provost and is a master’s student in the Department of English.