The Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM) has recently acquired a new education and outreach programming coordinator.
Alison Jursa is from Barrie, Ont. and she is currently filling in for a maternity leave position at EAGM. Jursa will be apart of the community for a year’s time; afterwards she will continue to work on her career wherever that may take her.
The turn of events that landed her the position were unexpected but she is none the less very happy to be in her current position.
“I didn’t apply for this position I applied for an internship position and I was offered an interview for this one and I got the job,” said Jursa.
Jursa started out perusing a more academic pathway for her studies but discovered along the way she enjoys more hands-on work like teaching, programming and exhibit setup.
“I went to school for history and archaeology and I found that I wanted a bit more of a hands on experience I therefore went to museum and gallery studies at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario.”
“From there I kind of fell in love with the idea of educating and building programs for children and adults as well,” she added.
Jursa enjoys programming the most and is looking forward to adding her expertise and passion about art tothe community while working at the EAGM.
“I just found it was something really interesting and it is a way to engage with the public I think it provides almost a way of entertainment but it also provides on going education,” she added.
“It is a way to almost teach the public your own passion without them having to go through all the schooling you did,” said Jursa.
Jursa has had a bit of a culture shock coming from a large city and moving to a small town in a rural community.
“It is definitely a change coming from Barrie because I am so use to having a large city around me,” said Jursa.
“However the people here and the atmosphere is all incredible and it is nice to see another part of this country.”
As the current education and outreach and programming co-ordinator Jursa has plans to start new programs and educational opportunities for people within the community.
“I am actually in the current process of building the programing for the next year,” said Jursa.
“I am building some art camps for children and some programing for teen and young adult audiences as well.”
“We are also working on some programing for adults in particular Cards and Cabernet coming up next month.”
