Majors
Art History and History
Minor
French
Which activities did you participate in at Whittier?
I was President of Phi Alpha Theta and was active in Art Department activities.
What first attracted you to Whittier?
I found the relationship between the students and professors and the closeness of the students very appealing.
Why did you choose to study art?
I have always loved art history. There really was no question as to what I would major in.
Describe your experience at Whittier College. What was your favorite class?
I loved Whittier College. I made such great friends. Although it was one of my most difficult classes, my favorite class was Age of Impressionism.
What was your first job after Whittier? What are you currently up to? How has your Whittier education benefited you professionally?
I knew I wanted to work in the art appraisal business so I applied to Christie's Education during my senior year and was accepted. I moved to London to study and learn about everything from paintings to silver. It was different from art history classes in that we actually got to touch the pieces. I learned about the marketplace, and how every facet of the art business, from galleries, to museums, to auctions houses, works. After graduating from Christie's Education, I moved back to California and started working in a very small auction house in Sacramento. I worked there for a year then began working at Michaan’s as the Manager of the Fine Art Department. I manage the day-to-day happenings of the Department as well as catalog our monthly estate sales. Our sales are usually 80 to 100 lots consisting of paintings, works on paper and sculpture. My time at Whittier taught me the history behind the pieces I look at daily and Christie’s taught me what to look for when authenticating pieces for auction. I have taken what I've learned throughout the years from high school to college through grad school and use them everyday at my job. My time at Whittier gave me my foundation and since then I have tried to add to it daily.
What advice would you give to future art alumni when they graduate?
Don't ever give up on finding a job in this field. It may take awhile but it will happen if you truly want it.
