Mary Whitehurst Burkey

2015 - present

- Education Specialist and Lead Interpreter (October 2018-present)

- Lead Interpreter (December 2017-October 2018)

- Assistant Lead Interpreter (April - December 2017)

- Seasonal Interpreter (Summers 2015 - 2016)

​Wade House, Wisconsin Historical Society

Responsible for planning and implementing educational programming including foodways programs, summer camps, field trips, and period garden.  Manage and supervise interpretive staff and volunteers.  Schedule and coordinate all group and school tours. Worked to prepare and hang Over Land: Under Cover, a quilt and coverlet exhibit at Wade House.  Lead tours through the Wade House, an 1850 stagecoach inn.

January 2019 - present

- Exhibitions Intern
John Michael Kohler Arts Center

Working with Exhibitions, Curation, and Arts/Industry teams to develop an exhibit of art created in the Arts/Industry program for the Collections Highlights gallery. Working to digitize A/I material.

January - April 2018

- Collections Management Intern
Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts

Worked with Collections Manager and Curator inventorying and cataloguing collection of WMQFA.  Assisted with exhibits Bouquet of Applique and His Purple Reign.

March 2016 - March 2017

- Interim General Manager
Goodside Grocery Food Cooperative

In charge of all aspects of management of a member-owned corner grocery store in downtown Sheboygan.  Led an all-volunteer staff as the only paid employee, reported to board of directors. Managed budget, orders and purchasing, and bookkeeping. Grew average gross daily sales by 14% over the course of the year.

September 2015 - February 2016

- Long Term Substitute Teacher 
Sheboygan Area School District

Planned lessons and taught twelve weeks of kindergarten through fifth grade elementary art and twelve weeks as a classroom teacher in a combined second and third grade classroom.

September 2011 - May 2015

- Technical Director and Resident Designer
Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) Sheboygan

Oversaw and instructed youth participants in the design, construction, and execution of set, props, costumes, lighting, sound, and choreography for two student-run shows annually. Designed and oversaw crew of diverse volunteers to implement construction of set, props, costumes, lighting, and sound for two mainstage shows annually.  Assisted with fundraising and special events. Maintained and organized stock of costumes, props, tools, supplies, equipment, etc.

Summer 2011

- Education Intern
Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville, Ky

Taught middle school drama production camp
Worked with scenic painting team

June 2010 - May 2011 (Docent 2011-2015)

- Education and ARTery Intern, Docent
John Michael Kohler Arts Center

Led interactive guided tours and workshops for visitors of all ages, from preschool through senior citizens. Developed educational materials for visiting groups. Managed classroom and educational studio spaces. Oversaw daily activities in the ARTery, a hands-on open studio space; worked with community groups and the general public.

Summer 2009

- Education Intern
Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati, Ohio

Collaborated with art teachers and other interns at the Summer Art Camps, teaching groups of students from third grade through high school; facilitated children’s creation of art.

Summer 2008

- Collections Management and Discovery Room Intern
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian) Washington, D.C.

Organized and catalogued anthropology objects in the teaching collection of the Discovery Room, a hands-on space geared toward families with children.  Designed two educational drawer displays.