McMullen Spotlight: H Edwards
Photograph of interviewee: H. Edwards
H, could you introduce yourself for the people who might not know you?
My name is H Edwards! I use he/they pronouns. I am a junior studying History with a minor in French. I am from the Bronx in New York City. I like to wear pink eyeshadow and cook for my friends. Most of my time is spent scribbling my thoughts into a little black notebook and drinking copious amounts of tea.
What are you involved with on or off campus?
On and off campus I am involved with activism. On campus, this tends to be focused on queer advocacy for policy change and student life. Outside of Boston College, I am involved in anti-colonial and racial justice. This student-activist involvement has effectively launched me into so many different campus spaces. And finally, I am a student ambassador at the McMullen museum.
How long have you worked at the McMullen Museum of Art and what can you say about your experience there?
I have worked at the McMullen Museum of Art since Fall of 2023. The McMullen museum has been one of the greatest opportunities presented to me in my time at Boston College. It has been an experience defined by the positive influences that are my coworkers, the lively environment that comes with every event, and the clear intentionality for the work that we do. The McMullen has brought me much joy and peace.
From what I gather you are not so much of an “art” student. So, what drew you to work at the McMullen?
Rachel Chamberlin, the Museums director of education, made it clear throughout the application process that you do not need to be a traditional “art” student to work at the Museum. And while I have always enjoyed museums, crafts and art, it is not what drew me to the McMullen. What drew me to the McMullen was the trust I had that it would be a workplace that supported me, my learning journey, and student creativity. I felt as though as a student worker, I would be able to collaborate on projects and be witness to projects that center creative freedom; I am happy to report that this has been true!
The McMullen Museum is not the first museum I’ve worked with. In the Summer of 2023, I worked at the Royall House & Slave Quarters, a historical site and museum in Medford, MA. I gave guided tours reconstructing the lives of enslaved people and I worked with Black youth in Boston in a program called Reclaiming Our Hands. This program blended textile arts, crafts, and historical understandings of art, our bodies, and exploitation in a way that has deeply affected my career aspirations. So, while I am not an “art” student, the intersections of public history and art drew me to apply for the Student Ambassador for the McMullen.
How is the McMullen community? And, if there is anyone you would like to shout out in particular, please feel free to.
Photograph of McMullen student ambassadors, Drake DiPaolo and H Edwards
The McMullen is full of student workers who are kind, inviting, funny, and dedicated. My coworkers are responsible for much of the joy I feel at work. We leave notes for one another between shifts, run to get lunch for one another, and go to support each other's involvements outside of work. Most of all we all work together around a shared goal, to make the McMullen more than just a museum, but a true resource for students.
I want to shout out Drake DiPaolo! He worked with me during my first year at the McMullen and has since graduated. We shared a shift in the Spring of 2024 and as he was much more experienced than I, he really showed me how to feel a part of the McMullen rather than just an employee. He collaborated with me in the first iteration of a program series called Engaging Perspectives where we discussed museum ethics, art-hoarding, racial justice in art, and colonialism. Drake greeted everyone with a smile and showed me what it truly means to make others feel as though the McMullen is their museum.
The broader McMullen community is not just about us workers or student visitors; one of my greatest pleasures is seeing the surrounding community visit every season. They tell me about how they've been friends of the museum for years and have visited the old art space in Devlin. They ask me about what I study and how I should feel lucky to work in such a serene environment. The community does not shy away from striking up a conversation and it fills my cup every time.
What is an exhibit that you would spotlight from your time working at the museum?
Our current exhibit has been my absolute favorite I've seen here at the McMullen. The Wonders of Creation tells a story of myth, science, religion, and culture all in one. These pieces come from the San Diego Museum of Art and display ancient art from the islamic world as well as contemporary art. The word “wonder” captivates its audience and perfectly captures the excellence and innovation in these pieces. The scientific explorations and the art from the intellectual world fully speaks to the intersection of art and science that I have always found meaningful.
What would you say the connection is like between art at the McMullen and the larger BC art scene?
The stronger the connection between the McMullen and student artists and creatives, the more grounded the work of the McMullen will be. Artists and creatives are who make the art scene, us at the McMullen can only hope and try to support that. We must be informed and respond to the needs of students here on campus; I think I can speak for the entire McMullen team when I say we are genuinely excited by the collaborations we have with students. However, there is always more room for an expansion of support. I hope as the semesters go by, more and more student artists will come and seek out our space, resources, and job opportunities. While I would not say I am an “artist” in any official sense, the McMullen is home to many art students who further this mission of maintaining an art scene at Boston College where the students lead the way.
Do you have any thoughts to share about the art industry given what you have seen come and go through the McMullen? What are some social/cultural/historical contexts that have stood out to you in works at the McMullen?
As I have mentioned before, at the McMullen I have been working on a series of discussions to accompany each exhibit we host called Engaging Perspectives, this project has really helped me develop a more radical and critical understanding of Museum ethics. In particular, how capitalism affects the art scene for creatives. I think capitalism creates a culture that devalues artists as a valid, necessary profession while simultaneously exploiting artists in efforts to use the product of the artists without needing to acknowledge the labor.
Secondly, I have gained a deep appreciation for the change that comes through the museum every semester. Art, like people and culture, travels. Art is meant to be witnessed, not hoarded. Museums must be a reflection of the movement of people, culture, and art. And further, I have been reflecting on how we categorize art– the boundaries and borders we place to separate art and artists.
Do you think that BC students utilize the McMullen space to its fullest potential?
The McMullen Museum, photograph featured on the Boston College Instagram Page.
Yes and no. Culture groups host formals, academic departments have conferences, music groups sing on our terrace, professors have class in our galleries, the Queer Leadership Council watches movies here– so many students and student groups have worked to establish a relationship with the McMullen. One of our greatest abilities is bringing students in through non-art events. The exposure to our space provides an understanding that the museum is for everyone.
While our space is used, I hear too many students say they didn't know there was a museum or that they don't really do “art”. However, I would say everyone does art and life is the journey of finding what art we will dedicate ourselves to: whether it is cooking, gardening, activism, painting, sculpting, handiwork, its art. So my wish is that we expand as a resource for that development for students through removing barriers between students and art spaces.
In all honesty, I do not know what the full potential of the McMullen Museum is. I am constantly learning what it is we can do for others and for students. And a part of this learning journey is watching students and student groups find unique ways to use our space.
If you were to have a portrait of yourself made, what would it look like/what would be featured in the work?
If I had a portrait of myself made I would want there to be a large tree with deep dark roots in the background inspired by the tree imagery in Beloved by Toni Morrison. I would probably request a cat or a crow perched near me. I imagine a dreary, serious tone coming from it but simultaneously warm colors that express a certain love and care
Do you have any current or future art of your own that you plan to put on display?
Whenever given the opportunity to do an art piece for a class project, I sculpt. I have always wanted to work on collaging and sculpture work. Recently I went out of my comfort zone and tried welding for the first time. As a history and French major, I don't get much time to work with my hands and away from words. I hope to find time and energy soon to work through these mediums that transcend language.
Being from New York City, do you think the art scene in Boston is different, similar, or derivative in any way?
I would not call it the Boston art scene derivative but there are clear differences to how I interact with art in New York and Boston. In Boston I have visited many museums and galleries. In New York, the Bronx and Harlem in particular, I interact with much more fluid art spaces. Ones that blend history, music, and art. For example, I have spent much time in the Jazz Museum in Harlem. I have not been in Boston long enough to truly compare the art scenes of these two cities but I will say, New York has been home to creatives for decades.
Has working at the McMullen created any new lenses or perspectives that you may perceive the world through?
Because of the McMullen and being surrounded by young artists, I found a deep appreciation for supporting creatives. Many of my coworkers are dedicated artists with such a unique vision and inspiring conviction and care for their work. Working with such brilliant minds, I have become very passionate about supporting their work, their visions, and their aspirations .
Written by Chuck Bacciocco
Edited by Brooke Olson