Portfolio

National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

My responsibilities included all species ID graphics, conservation messaging, and enrichment and care interpretation. For more than three years I was the sole exhibit writer, responsible for all interpretive content. I developed an all-new exhibit to bring a long-closed space back to life. I redeveloped the Panda House, leading the team to overhaul old content and create an engaging, updated space. I updated the interpretation in the Great Ape House and the Reptile Discovery Center and initiated the creation of an accessible exhibit space, receiving a grant to pilot the project. I also developed a community exhibit to bring Zoo content to children in a Washington, D.C. neighborhood.

National Portrait Gallery

As a project manager, I managed all aspects of producing major exhibitions. Highlights include American Cool, The Sweat of Their Face, Dark Fields of the Republic, and Elaine de Kooning: Portraits. In addition to scheduling, budgeting, and content review, I coordinated artwork loans, contracted with production vendors, and oversaw rights and reproductions for all image uses including marketing, press, and publications. I am particularly proud of my efforts to increase accessibility and my contributions to the gallery’s bilingual initiatives.

Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

I developed and produced national traveling exhibitions such as the award-winning Earth from Space and its associated poster exhibit; Lasting Light: 125 Years of Grand Canyon Photography; NASA|Art: 50 Years of Exploration; Suited for Space; Beyond: Visions of Planetary Landscapes; and the digital exhibition Green Revolution, among others. I was responsible for conceptualizing exhibits, coordinating content, writing, and editorial oversight; developing and monitoring budgets; creating educational materials and host venue information packages; developing relationships with sponsors; and collaborating with contractors, lenders, and venues.

Bird portfolio 01

Species ID, National Zoo’s Amazonia. I wrote the text for all new species labels. I also managed the contract and collaboration with the illustrator.

Bird portfolio 02

A Journey Icon in the Zoo’s Bird House

Bird portfolio 03

Bird House Coffee Farm panel

Bird portfolio 04

Each aviary in the Zoo’s Bird House includes a conservation panel.

Bird portfolio 05

Each aviary includes a flip book showcasing the “menu” of the birds in that habitat. Finding appropriate photos was time-consuming, but fun.

Bird portfolio 06

Graphics explain why Bird Friendly coffee is important. All the graphics in and around the Bird House are bilingual in Spanish and English.

Bird portfolio 07

Washington the Wood Thrush guides children through the Bird House in English and Spanish. This signpost is in the Coffee Farm aviary.

Bird portfolio 08

Washington the Wood Thrush guides children through the Zoo’s Bird House in English and Spanish. This signpost is in the Delaware Bay aviary.

Denver portfolio 01

In 2021 I helped the Denver Zoo develop and write content such as this welcome sign for their new African Penguin exhibit.

Denver portfolio 02

In 2021 I helped the Denver Zoo develop and write content such as this species ID for their new African Penguin exhibit.

Gibbon portfolio 01

We tested a variety of accessible features at Gibbon Ridge. In addition to braille text and tactile photos and illustrations, we incorporated actual enrichment objects. We also installed access tiles on the ground to alert visitors to graphic locations.

Gibbon portfolio 02

Braille text and tactile, or raised, photographs provide more access to Gibbon Ridge graphics. I inspected each panel before the team cleaned and installed them.

Gibbon portfolio 03

Braille text and tactile, or raised, photographs provide more access to Gibbon Ridge graphics (detail).

Gibbon portfolio 04

Panel section for the AV component of the accessibility pilot project I developed for Gibbon Ridge

Gibbon portfolio 05

Reviewing the panels before installation at Gibbon Ridge

Gibbon portfolio 06

When I received a grant from the Smithsonian’s Access Office to pilot an accessible exhibit at the Zoo, I chose Gibbon Ridge. I knew we had to find a variety of ways to share the incredible calls gibbons make with as many visitors as possible. One feature we tried was a tactile (raised) spectogram.

Panda portfolio 01

I incorporated new conservation messaging in the species ID graphics. At right, Mei Xiang enjoys a honey crate that kept her happily occupied and undisturbed during the exhibit installation. National Zoo’s Panda House, 2018

Panda portfolio 02

National Zoo’s Panda House. Removing the blank, weathered, and peeling panels and installing the new, using bright colors and interpretation to engage visitors.

Panda portfolio 03

National Zoo’s Panda House during installation in 2018. We removed the faded yellow panels (center) and installed interpretation to explain on-site research (left and right).