ArtCity: Coming of age at the Woodstock Art Gallery

Summer student Macy LeConte shares her gratitude for what she learned working as a communications assistant at the Woodstock Art Gallery

As the communications assistant for the Woodstock Art Gallery this summer, Macy LeConte learned more than just the ins and outs of marketing. (Contributed photo)

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.

As I enter my 20s, I’m beginning to learn how to regain my power and make a real attempt at untangling myself from those unspoken expectations, the burdens that women have been forced to carry since birth. That’s thanks, in part, to my time with the Woodstock Art Gallery.

Walking into a job where every single woman wants to support and mentor you is special, and that’s exactly what happened on my very first day as the communications assistant. There was a sense of magic in the air and what I can only describe as an innate sense of sisterhood, an understanding that it’s up to us to support each other. Within minutes, Deanna Logan, the education co-ordinator, complimented my sweater, which may sound rather trivial but, to me, it was a branch – a “welcome to the team” – that eased my anxieties.

Mary Reid, the gallery’s wonderful director and curator, has given me the confidence to ask for what I want, the encouragement to brag about my accomplishments and the reminder that you should never minimize yourself to fit someone else’s agenda.

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.

Robin De Angelis, my supervisor and the marketing and communications specialist for the City of Woodstock, helped me seize every opportunity and constantly brought me into conversations and valued my ideas. She’s taught me more than she probably realizes, and I think I will forever be indebted to her for that.

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.