(April 27, 2015)

Student named Selber Intern in Museum Management

SHREVEPORT, LA — Senior Rachel Clampitt '15 has been named the Selber Intern in Museum Management following her semester-long internship helping prepare Jean Despujols World War I trench sketches for an exhibit that will open at Centenary's Meadows Museum of Art in November. The $3,000 internship award is given in memory of longtime Meadows supporter Peggy Selber.

Clampitt
Rachel Clampitt '15

"I have been volunteering and interning at the Meadows for three semesters now," said Clampitt. "I was actually surprised to get the award. I'm just at the museum because I love being here—now I'm getting a check for it too."

Clampitt provided content for the text panels, researched photographs of the locations that Despujols sketched, and assisted in other miscellaneous projects to prepare the exhibit for public viewing.

"I'm very excited about the Despujols exhibit and can't wait to see it on display," said Clampitt. "WWI tends to be overshadowed by WWII, and many people don't know much about it even though it dramatically changed the world. With the next few years being the centennial of WWI, I think it's important that people start to learn about the war and in different ways. This exhibit will be a creative way for people to experience the war through Despujols' experience as a French soldier."

The history major plans to continue working at Shadows-on-the-Teche, a historical home in New Iberia, Louisiana, upon graduation. She first started interning at the home two years ago through Centenary's Museum Management program.

Despujols
A sketch by Despujols depicting carnage during WWI

"I'll also be applying to the NGO National Trust for Historic Preservation," said Clampitt. "I've already been working under them at the Shadows, and I've really enjoyed it. I hope to return for grad school later and get an MA in history, art history, or classics."

The Despujols exhibit will be open to the public November 2015-January 2016 at the Meadows Museum. Despujols was a machine gunner in the French army during WWI. With the help of the History Department and Professor of French Dr. Dana Kress, this exhibit will tell the story of major battles in France (e.g. Verdun) experienced by Despujols, and reveal the war-torn people and landscape he movingly depicted through his art.

The Meadows Museum of Art is located on the campus of Centenary College at 2911 Centenary Boulevard and is free and open to the public. The Museum was established on the College's 150th anniversary in 1975, and was made possible through a gift from alumnus Algur H. Meadows. For more information, visit the Meadows Museum online or call 318.869.5169.