The Kent State Museum Society welcomed students, guests and faculty to celebrate the new club at its Old Hollywood-themed welcome party at the Kent State University Museum on Nov. 13 from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The Museum Society is a student-led organization that’s goal is to make students aware of the resources available to them at the museum.
The organization was co-founded by sophomore fashion merchandising major Chloe Brosch and sophomore art history major Marissa Allen, with sophomore art history major Harrison Miller as their vice president.
“This museum is right down the hall from our classes, so I think it’s an incredible resource for all disciplines, all students, and we really just hope for student engagement,” Brosch said.
Miller emphasized that the museum is for everyone, not just fashion students, and that there’s something for everyone at the museum.
Guests were welcomed to the party with an array of food, the opportunity to create their own Hollywood Walk of Fame star, a photo station and the opportunity to have their outfit drawn by a fashion illustrator.
The event sparked interest in students wanting to join the organization.
“I definitely think I’ll join. I think there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes museum events, so I’m excited for that,” said Maddy DeMuzio, a sophomore fashion merchandising major.
Freshman fashion merchandising major Kylie Bell shared how she came to this event as a way to put herself out there in the Kent community.
Freshman fashion merchandising major Claire Heiney, who is also a member of the club, reflected on how the museum allows guests to learn about a time when fast fashion wasn’t very prevalent.
“Nowadays, we’re in this world of fast fashion, and things are so fast and speedy, and they’re cheap, and we can come here and look at things when they were slow and they were inspired and creative,” Heiney said.
Not only did the event bring in students, but it also brought in members of the community who strive to support the museum. Ken Robinson, a longtime supporter of both the School of Fashion and the museum, attended the event to continue supporting the museum.
“I’m really happy that the Kent State Museum Society has stepped up to take on the cause for bringing students here,” Robinson said. “It’s nice to have students involved with the museum.”
The event ended with a private museum tour led by museum curator Sara Hume, who guided guests through different rooms of the museum and told historical stories of the designs held in each room.
Hume said it felt “heartening” that students wanted to partner with the museum and hopes for the museum society to continue to grow.
“Well, it’s really important to us, as a university museum, that we serve the students,” Hume said. “It really feels like we’re fulfilling our mission and serving them.”
The Museum Society encourages students to join, as it serves as a learning tool for students and opens up a door to new opportunities for them.
Allen shared how the idea for the organization started when Museum Director Sarah Spinner Liska hosted her own welcome event, “Donuts with the Director,” for students to get to know her as the new museum director.
The Museum Society wants to continue to provide students with events like this.
“I just wish to share that with others — have them have that kind of experience — because not a lot of museums are so open to having students come in for free,” Allen said. “Dr. Sarah really opened the doors for us, but we’re ready to walk through them and make something of our own.”
The organization is in the works of organizing other events for members of the club, like holding Q&A sessions with the museum curators, exclusive behind-the-scenes talks with designers and the possibility of a private tour of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Ava Drozd is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
