June 2023 Employee Newsletter

LEAVING HIS MARK

He also curated 431 Gallery: Art and Impact (2014), Lois Templeton: A Reinvented Life (2018), It’s About Time: The Artwork of Felrath Hines (2019) and Cause & Æffect: Art that Speaks Out (2020).

In addition, Mark has been instrumental in hiring Indiana artists to create original works of art – for exhibitions including FIX: Heartbreak and Hope Inside Our Opioid Crisis and Major Taylor: Fastest Cyclist in the World – and for gallery spaces, like Gallery One where you’ll see murals by artists Artur Silva, Shamira Wilson and Danicia Monet. As Mark has noted, we’re not only providing a venue for artists to show their work, but we’re having a financial impact and paying artists a competitive wage for work they do.

Senior Curator of Fine Arts and Culture

Mark Ruschman retired on June 30 after 11 years of service, leaving a legacy that includes growing and diversifying the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites’ art collection – particularly the contemporary collection – curating several well-received exhibitions and giving a new look to the 92 County Tree.

As many of you know, Mark came to ISMHS after running his own gallery from 1984-2009 and then working as a private art dealer. One of his regular contacts was Rachel Perry, who at the time was the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites’ fine arts curator. When she retired in 2011, Chief Curator and Research Officer Susannah Koerber recruited Mark.

He joined ISMHS as the fine arts curator on May 31 – his birthday – in 2012.

Though ISMHS was better known at the time for its collection of T.C. Steele paintings and other historic Indiana works, Rachel had been championing an initiative to grow our contemporary art collection. Mark, whose expertise was contemporary art with a focus on Indiana artists, took up the mantle. When Dale Ogden retired as chief curator of cultural history in 2017, Mark became senior curator of arts and culture, overseeing the cultural history curators.

Mark curated the bicentennial exhibition

200 Years of Indiana Art: A Cultural Legacy, in 2016, in which he used the NiSource and Ford galleries to showcase pieces from our permanent collection as well as pieces he borrowed from artists and institutions to help tell the story.

If Mark’s reach in the Indiana art world wasn’t already evident, last year he distinguished himself by recruiting artists from throughout Indiana to make new ornaments for the 92 County Tree. The holiday tree had nearly 60 new ornaments representing counties across the state. Mark was asked what he’ll miss most about his work with ISMHS.

“It’s been my privilege to work here,” he said. “It’s been a tremendous opportunity for me. I learn something new every day. People who work here are extremely professional, sharp, smart people, committed, dedicated. Just like when I closed my gallery, I’ll miss the people I met and worked with. That’s the only regret I have.”

We will miss Mark, but there’s good news: He has agreed to continue to work on projects he has started, including the 100th anniversary of the Hoosier Salon in 2024 and the celebration of T.C. Steele in 2026.

“It’s been my privilege to work here.”

Let the

It May Fall Where Chip

This story starts with an email and photo that arrived in the Museum Communications inbox at 8:36 a.m. on May 31.

Good morning,

I am writing to see if you would be at all interested in displaying a potato chip with, what looks like, Indiana stamped out of the middle. I thought it could possibly go in a shadow box and hung anywhere that you think would be fun. Maybe in the cafe? I would request, though, that a sign be hung saying it was donated by my stepmother, Laura Newhouse. She’s the one who found it and saved it for 3 months, but decided to pass it down to my son.

I’ve attached a picture. Please let me know if you would or wouldn’t like to have it, as I may see if another business would like to enjoy it. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Meryl Feathers

The email brought immediate reaction. There were jokes about a possible chip exhibit, complete with a giant replica of the original chip to pose with for selfies.

There was a pro-chip camp who thought that adding the salty snack to the collection was a funny idea.

“There’s going to be visitor interest in something like this,” Curator of History Mary Figueroa said. “It’s going to give people a laugh, just the novelty of it. In some ways, that could also be a con because we don’t want a million chips coming in. But having

going to hold up well. And if we take it in, I may bring in some French onion dip and eat it.”

There is precedent for ISMHS to take in something like the chip. The collection does already have a piece of bread from the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 and a sugar bell wedding cake decoration.

And Indiana has some potato chip history: Walter Teague, an industrial designer whose company designed the Pringles can, was from Decatur, Ind.

one thing could be fun. Giving people a smile would ultimately be the benefit of the chip.”

But there was also an anti-chip camp that worried about preserving something as fragile as a potato chip and thought adding a novelty item would diminish the collection. “It’s an anomaly that’s not a good thing to bring in,” Director of Collections Traci Cromwell said. “It’s so fragile, and it’s not

And besides, the chip didn’t have to become part of the permanent collection. Figueroa said it could be brought in as a 71.60 – a classification for items that don’t need to be permanently preserved.

But in the end, it was decided that ISMHS would not take the chip.

“It’s a perishable, and there’s no way to collect something like that long term,” said Mark Ruschman, newly retired senior curator of fine arts and culture. “And you know how it is. Once you take one chip, you just can’t stop.”

People have claimed to see Jesus in a slice of toast and the Virgin Mary in a tortilla. But the state of Indiana in a potato chip? That’s a new one, but here we are.

“Once you take one chip, you just can’t stop.”

SECURITY UPDATE with Tyriee

Code

Black

A Code Black is an active shooter or civil disturbance emergency. Visitors and staff will be notified through an announcement made over the museum's PA system. Staff may also be notified via text, email or radio. ISMHS security and safety team leaders will instruct and escort guests and staff to safe areas.

On July 18 at 11 a.m. we will be hosting a 60-minute discussion and presentation with Officer Patterson in the East Wing. We ask that everyone participate. Officer Peterson is a great resource and will address any concerns you have. The things you learn during this session can be applied both in- and outside the workplace.

First Aid

With all of the site inspections complete, we have replenished all first aid supplies. If you are in need of any additional first aid restocks or equipment, please contact Security Manager Dustin Chavez and Director of Security Tyriee Love via email with a list of items you need.

Security Manager

Dustin Chavez

Director of Security

Tyriee Love

and Dustin

IN THE NEWS

Click on the blue names below to see the news.

The story of the 28th United States Colored Troops’ flag on display in the Influencing Lincoln exhibition was featured in the June issue of The Torch Both WTHR and WFMS-FM (95.5) let their audiences know about Canal Nights. The Indiana Arts Commission’s eblast - “The Scoop – for Indiana Artists” – on June 8 shared the blog about adding Katie Pourcho’s White House dress to our collection.

T.C. Steele Site Manager Jessica Stephens presented to the Historic Artists Homes and Studios Virtual Road Trip Program (an entity through the National Trust) in early June. Enjoy the video here Juneteenth received a wide range of coverage, including this segment on WISH-TV.

The Influencing Lincoln exhibition and Juneteenth were highlighted on this segment on WTHR and this one on CBS4

WISH-TV’s story “Indiana State Museum Exhibit Explains Emancipation Ties to Indianapolis” included interviews with co-curators Susannah Koerber and Kisha Tandy.

Central Region Director and Coffin Site Manager Joanna Hahn’s article “Finding Her Voice: The Evolution of Interpreting Catharine Coffin’s Story,” will be published in the winter issue of AASLH’s History News magazine.

How long have you worked for ISMHS?

I started in April 2023.

What’s your title and how do you explain your job to someone outside ISMHS?

As the public program manager, I develop and implement large scale events in conjunction with our exhibits for adults and families. I tend to describe it as the “fun job” within the museum!

Tell me about your family. Lots of houseplants, several siblings, a handful of dogs and one fiancé.

When is your birthday?

April 26 and 100% a Taurus. I’m a big fan of birthdays, so if anyone wants to join me in celebrating my half-birthday on October 26, feel free to do so.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Valdivia, Chile, to visit my sister, niece and nephew. It’s also the most beautiful place in the world. There are cows that live on the beaches! It’s magical.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: ALY WALBRIDGE

Aly oversees, develops and manages the public, adult and family programs that take place at the museum.

What was your favorite school subject?

I learned more life skills in art class than in all other subjects combined. Also, there were no “real” grades because “what is art anyways?”, so that was cool.

What’s your favorite song?

This depends on what I’m doing at the time. For example: relaxing, exercising, cooking, boating, dancing barefoot under the stars

How do you spend your free time?

In the summer, I spend most of my weekends on Lake Wawasee sailing, skiing and being an excellent boat napper.

Are you a morning or a night person?

I’m a “let’s go out to lunch” kind of person. Speaking of, does anyone want to grab lunch sometime?

What is your favorite food or meal?

Tacos! Or, maybe Thai? Or apple pie! Oh, and sushi! Have I mentioned I’m a Taurus? We like to eat.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?

This feels impossible to answer. If I had to choose it would be British Baking Show because who doesn’t love baked goods (and Paul Hollywood)?

What’s your favorite quote or song lyric?

“If every fool wore a crown, I would be a king and not a clown.”

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Turn off your turn signal if you aren’t turning!!! Those wind shield wipers don’t need to be a full speed if it’s just sprinkling!

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Well, my middle name is Noel, so Christmas is literally a part of my identity.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten or given?

“Everything is figure-outable.”

JULY ANNIVERSARIES

ADAM DEKEMPER

Vice President of Experience – 17 years

REBECCAH SWANSON

Gallery Program Manager – 5 years

CHARISSA BELL

Store Associate – 1 year

OLIVER HILDEBRANDT

Production Manager – 1 year

BILL HUBBARD

Intermittent Historic Site Interpreter – 1 year

CHRIS MCCOY

Graphic Designer – 1 year

ROBIN PENNY

Executive Assistant – 1 year

TERESA STACKHOUSE

Historic Site Interpreter – 1 year

Dates to remember

Open through Oct. 15

Vintage Vision: Cars of the 1920s

Open through Oct. 29

Influencing Lincoln

July 4

Independence Day

July 5, 12, 19, 26

Canal Nights

July 8-9

Clue Party & Family Clue Party (Culbertson)

NEW TEAM MEMBERS

JENNIFER HANSEN

Historic Site Interpreter - Corydon

LILY JERVIS

Engagement Specialist - Special Exhibits

ERIC LUCY II

Maintenance Technician

RYAN PRANGER

Vice President of People and Culture

July 14

Roaring Twenties

July 22

Family Discovery Day: Space

July 29

History Adventure Day: The Final Frontier (Vincennes)

July 29

Willow Grove Cemetery Tour (Coffin)

July 30

Music at the Mansion (Lanier)

DOWNLOAD your digital membership card to your virtual wallet!

On July 10, all staff will receive a link to download their new ISMHS digital membership card. Once you click your unique link, follow these simple steps.

1. Click the ISMHS logo.

2. Click "find my membership cards."

3. Download the digital card to your virtual wallet.

You will need to use your primary phone number associated with your membership. If you aren’t sure what phone number is associated with your membership, check with Membership Manager Carrie Miller or any of our colleagues in visitor services.

Cards will list your city and state so if you use the membership card for reciprocal purposes, they’ll be able to verify your address. The ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers) and NARM (North American Reciprocal Museum Association) logos will be on the card as automatic links. Each logo will take you to the respective websites to see the list of participating institutions.

If you don’t receive an invitation to download your card, contact Carrie Miller at cmiller@indianamuseum.org