USD Magazine, Winter 2004

10:47 a.m. "What do museums do for you?' anthropology Professor Alana Cordy-Collins asks students assembled in USD's David W. May Gallery, where artist-in-residence Sylvia Mejia's ceramic sculptures are displayed. "Do you feel enlightened, confused, inspired?"

The question culminates Cordy-Collins' Introduction to Museology class, in which students created the gallery exhibit "Culture, Clay & Creativity." They chose the pieces, learned how to select an artist and received tips on showing artwork and planning an opening. Looking at the display, which runs until early February, it's clear Cordy-Collins has met her objective: teaching students to combine history, curation and conservation in designing museum exhibits.

Hands shoot up. "They open up curiosity you may not have had." "They educate you in areas you normally don't have an interest in experiencing and learning about. "