Today we’d like to introduce you to Meredith Long.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story illustrates the theory that if you are curious, and follow what you love, you will find your way. I grew up loving history and art but didn’t think it was a viable career choice. After stumbling through possible pathways in college, I fell in love with Historic Preservation and moved to Savannah, GA to pursue my undergraduate at Savannah College of Art and Design. Landing a docent position at the Andrew Low House, a historic house museum, I realized that I loved museum work, storytelling, and facilitating a guest experience. BFA in hand and the understanding this was my path, I broadened my educational experiences by adding a post-baccalaureate certificate in Fine Art Conservation (because I didn’t get into my master’s programs!) from Studio Art Centers International in Florence, Italy, then a MA in Historic Preservation from Eastern Michigan University. Each time, looking for work in a highly competitive field and taking what I could find in other industries when I couldn’t find one. I worked as a part time conservator, fine art framer, barista, shop girl, quality control for the Detroit juvenile justice system, visual merchandising, and trying to make a go of my own jewelry line and selling vintage items.
It wasn’t until my 30’s when I got my first real “career” break. I wrote my master’s thesis on the architectural ceramics of Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, MI, and queried my contact about her line of work, volunteer management. She loved our conversation, and by the end of it, she offered me her position-the one I hadn’t realized she was retiring from! Eventually I was offered the curatorial role as well and spent five years expanding our exhibiting, writing new tours and collaborating with everyone from students to other local non-profits on story telling.
I then moved to managing a contemporary art gallery, Wasserman Projects, learning about operations, installation, contemporary art and collecting, before a colleague of mine from my conservation days reached out regarding a position he was hiring for, Director of Collections Operations at the Henry Ford. That colleague, Marc Greuther, VP of Historical Resources and Chief Curator, had watched my varied career and much to my surprise, needed someone to help him work across multiple departments and units. He needed someone multifaceted to help streamline process and increase collaboration. Without realizing it, I had achieved just those skills.
Today, I am the Director of The Gutman Gallery in Ann Arbor, MI. Putting my non-profit operations, curatorial and art history experiences to work for the artists of our Guild. There were many jarring moments on my journey where I felt rudderless and adrift, fearful that I wouldn’t find my way, but I kept coming back to what brought me purpose and joy, and eventually the career built itself. Never waste any of your experiences, always look to how they can serve your future you and one day you will look back and see the beautiful life you have woven for yourself. Have faith.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Jobs weren’t always available, and I had to take what I could to pay my bills and build a life.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Gutman Gallery is a non-profit art gallery that offers the member artists of The Guild of Artists and Artisans a year venue to showcase their work. Our mission is to support our artists, developing art fairs that provide opportunities for our members and also serve as educational, cultural and entertaining events for our communities.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the multiplicity of our city. There are so many different people and ideas in close proximity, it makes for a dynamic and engaging environment that I feel privileged to experience every day.
I least like unbalanced access to that dynamism. Characteristic of many American cities, we need to do a better job making sure no one is left behind.
Pricing:
- $8 and up!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theguild.org
- Instagram: gutmangallery
- Facebook: gutmangallery
