Since
the beginning of the Floyd Story Center at the Old Church Gallery’s Roots with Wings Oral History Project,
Radford University Anthropology and Sociology students have been both foundation
and backbone elements. In
May of 2019, coordinators of the Roots with Wings Project pondered how to introduce students
representing a wider range of Radford University programs of study to the
Museum. Dr. Melinda Wagner reached out
to Dr. Roann Barris of the RU Art Department.
Part of that correspondence follows:
Dear
Roann,
Do
you think a Museum Intern would be able to undertake and benefit from this
work? The intern would need to be a quick learner and able to work
independently, as well as work well with volunteer staff. I always think
one of the most important traits for interns is to know when to ask for
direction and when to act on their own. The intern would need to travel
to the Old Church Gallery in Floyd. From RU that is 25 miles one way – a
45-minute trip. And the intern’s schedule would need to be sufficiently
flexible to allow a match with volunteer staff schedules.
Sincerely,
Melinda
Hello,
Melinda. I always read your reports and the upcoming intern experience sounds
wonderful and valuable. Will we have someone in the program to be able to do
it? I can think of a few people who might be interested.
Hi
Melinda, I spoke to a student who actually received her bachelor’s degree a
year ago, and this year, she started taking courses in our Master of Fine Arts program which
really isn’t her interest since she wants to do museum work and art history. So she is still around Radford and would be very
interested in the internship experience in Floyd. Ally has experience and
would be an asset for the program. If
she doesn’t have to be enrolled in classes, she’s the one. I told her about the Floyd program and she
asked me to tell you of her interest.
Roann
September
9, 2019
Good
morning,
I
have been corresponding with Melinda Wagner about volunteering at the Old
Church Gallery. I plan on joining the
other volunteers on Wednesday and was just wondering if there’s anything I need
to know prior to meeting or if I need to bring anything specific.
Thank
you, I look forward to meeting and working with everyone!
Ally
Amick
 |
| Ally with her trusty camera |
So
began a most enjoyable relationship with a young volunteer. Ally grew up in Hampton, Virginia: She studied art history and museum work and
plans to continue those studies in graduate school. She had completed a tour of volunteer work
with the Taubman Museum and wanted to have experience with a smaller community
museum. Ally had heard of the Roots With
Wings project and of The Old Church Gallery but had never visited. This would be a compare and contrast
experience — always my favorite type of exploration. She
arrived cheerful and eager to contribute.
She easily became a member of the Wednesday work group jumping right in
to help photograph and measure quilts.
October 16, 2019
Dear Roann,
I just wanted to let you know that Ally Amick, who you
recommended as an intern for the Floyd Story Center at the Old
Church Gallery and Museum, has been a real boon. That is what I have
heard via word of mouth, and here is a message I received from Alice Slusher,
board member of the Old Church Gallery and loyal volunteer:
All is going well with Ally. Thus far she's
worked with Catherine and a team of volunteers, putting posters from past exhibits
in the "big book" display, and photographing and measuring crazy
quilts from the permanent collection.
Thank you so much for sending Ally our way.
Melinda
In February the Gallery house underwent renovation, which then called for major clean-up. I put out a request to the volunteers. Not only did Ally come, she brought her own vacuum cleaner. Not only did she come and bring her own vacuum cleaner, she donated her vacuum cleaner to the Old Church Gallery.
Ally
dusted (and vacuumed), took notes, carried furniture, took and documented
photographs. The link to a short video
she prepared from her photographs is at the bottom of this page. She became a member of the team, joining in
the laughter as we shared tea, coffee, and chocolate at the end of a workday. Her adventure in a small county museum has
been an experience with a slice of Blue Ridge culture.
 |
Teatime at the Old Church Gallery for volunteers Catherine Pauley, Terri Philpot,
Ally Amick, Vicki Gardner, and Alice Slusher. Out of photo view is Susan Vaughn. |
Although
Ally is moving to Wisconsin, she will continue to volunteer her on-line time to
help with transcriptions and documentation.
She will become our first national volunteer. I give Ally my highest compliment: “You’re a good gal, Charlie Brown.”
Here
is a link to a video that illustrates some of the contributions Ally Amick made
to documenting the Old Church Gallery’s collections.
The video is 1 minute and 30 seconds long.
https://youtu.be/u9cgbQ2MqNM
Catherine
Pauley
Executive
Vice President
Old
Church Gallery
We hope you are doing well and sharing your stories. 
