ArtCity: Coming of age at the Woodstock Art Gallery

As a woman, I’ve been acutely aware of my gender from a very young age. While I’ve tried my best to defy the unspoken rules of womanhood, I’ve found myself constantly falling into the pitfalls that accompany it. I’ve been the first to apologize even when an apology is not needed, the first to worry my tone might come across as rude and the first to shrink myself to not take up the space that is rightfully mine.

The head of education, Stephanie Porter, pushed back on everyone’s apologies. As women, we’ve been taught to always apologize, but Stephanie questioned that and encouraged all the students to re-examine why we felt the need to constantly apologize. Jessica Benjak-Waterous, our former head of collections, encouraged me to pursue all my interests, and that you don’t need to be defined by one singular thing. Sara Cuthbert, gallery operations co=ordinator, taught me to trust my instinct — that “Spidey sense” as she called it — that all women have, that we all too often regret not taking seriously.

When I began writing this piece, I was 19 and now, as I finish it, I’ve turned 20. That time between 18 and 20 is tricky. You’re treated like an adult, and expected to take on the challenges that come with being one, but you’ve never felt less prepared for anything. But the more I reflect on my time with the gallery, the more I realize how ready I am for this next chapter in my life.

Even as I head back to school, I know that I will forever carry this summer with me — from learning the ins and outs of a communications job to learning how to take up space in a world that will constantly try to shrink you. I am forever grateful for this job that reaffirmed that I’m on the right career path and for the women at the Woodstock Art Gallery for all that they’ve taught me.

Macy LeConte was the communications assistant for the Woodstock Art Gallery this summer.