Thomas Huston Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

I lead public and private tours of the museum collections and exhibitions on an occasional basis. My tours seek to elucidate the ways art can open onto the world and create new relationships and meanings, helping the audience bring themselves to the work and then be comfortable in the space that is created through that relation. I center the intimate knowledge of objects in our collection gained through their care, the non-hierarchical view of object relations that one gets from seeing works uncomfortably butting up against each other in storage, and the understanding that my perspective is only one among many.

Chicago, Il

As technician, I supervise art movement and preparation for departmental gallery rotations, installations, and exhibitions in collaboration with curators, collection managers, installation crew, registrars, conservators, facilities, and security colleagues; install art in the departmental galleries and relocate works in storage areas; provide basic care of objects, including maintenance of art in storage and displays on view; monitor environmental conditions of the galleries and storage areas; responsible for location tracking in the museum’s database; and assist in the preparation of loan objects for installation and shipment. I handle a wide variety of works and media in the collection, including works on paper, books, paintings, sculptures, time-based media, photographs, installations, design objects, textiles, and architectural models, drawings and renderings. Special projects: reorganization of storage, focusing on enclosure making and storing like objects togethers; overseeing the de-installation and re-installation of the architectural fragments in gallery 200 for the first time in over two decades; planning the re-installation of permanent collection galleries and advising on design needs for the care of the collection.

On an exhibition by exhibition basis, work closely with Lead Preparator, Assistant Preparators, and Registrars to safely and efficiently install and deinstall exhibitions. Receive and unpack artwork for exhibitions, working both within the collection and with loans from other institutions. Pack and transport artworks (crates, soft packs, travel frames). Prep galleries for exhibition.

In coordination with the Chief Preparator, Registrar, and Curator, I assist in the planning, preparation, and installation of exhibitions of artwork by living contemporary artists, using best practices art handling skill set. I build out spaces for exhibitions, including stud and drywall wall construction, hanging drop ceilings, laying carpet, building screens, painting and finishing the space, and other necessary infrastructure for exhibitions. In October 2016 I assisted in installing, handling, and packing of artworks for the Ren Benefit Auction, practicing best practices art handling in a fast paced, hectic environment while interacting with guests of the benefit.

Chicago, Il

Command P (Photo Lithography)- Jess GiffinOffset Lithography- Alex ValentinePrintmedia Practices (Introduction to printmaking)- Kevin GoodrichDigital and Tradition Routes (Silkscreen, Painting, and Digital Processes)- George Liebert and Sterling LawrenceWorked directly with students in each class to provide support and development for individual projects, facilitated demonstrations with faculty, and maintained classroom materials and equipment.

North Adams, Ma

Researched artists for upcoming exhibitions, compiled bibliographies and press lists, wrote text for exhibition publications, created checklists for exhibitions, and worked directly with artists in preparation for exhibitions. Prepared loan forms for artworks, assisted registrar/exhibitions manager with condition reports, shipping coordination, and exhibition and artwork maintenance, made trips to NYC in box truck to deliver and retrieve artworks. Facilitated departmental organization, booked flights for curators and artists, maintained Visual Arts image database and exhibition files, and secured image permissions for exhibition catalogues.

Oberlin, Oh

Researched prints, photographs, and works on paper in preparation for academic class visits to the Print Study Room, compiling research reference packets for each class visit. Retrieved works from storage for classes and researchers. Monitored, lead, and taught class visits from throughout the college and conservatory.

Oberlin, Oh

Assisted the Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Denise Birkhofer, with research for the exhibition “Religion, Ritual, and Performance in Modern and Contemporary Art.” Researched, planned, and executed mini-exhibition, “Performance Art at Oberlin” with material pulled from the museum and college archives. Wrote wall labels, brochure text, and historical timeline to accompany “Performance Art at Oberlin” exhibition.

Oberlin, Oh

Master Of Arts - Ma, Visual And Critical Studies

Master Of Fine Arts (Mfa), Printmedia

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Art History And Studio Art