SEAN SWEENEY STUDIO | artist gallery

Curriculum Vitae

Education 

MFA, Mount Royal School, 2014

Certificate in the College Teaching of Art

Maryland Institute College of Art 2012-2014

1300 W Mount Royal Ave. Baltimore, MD 21217

 

BFA, Painting and Printmaking, 2011

Virginia Commonwealth University 2007-2011

907 Floyd Ave. Richmond, VA 23284

Awards 

 

2013 

Graduate Fellowship Award

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Richmond, VA

 

2011 

Graduate Fellowship Award

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Richmond, VA

 

2011 

Award of Excellence

Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA

  • Recognized for outstanding work

2010 

Advanced Painting Merit Studio

Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA      

  • Selected by faculty to participate in a graduate school setting and focus
  • Selected to participate 2 semesters

Experience

 

Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History -- Full Time Exhibition Specialist GS-09

June 2017 -- Present

  • Specialize in repairs of life-like mannequins.
  • Worked with Arakawa Hanging Systems installing exhibits.
  • Developed rotational casting to fabricate hollow spheres for object mounting the First Lady’s objects.
  • Developed a complex housing for proximity sensors for the galleries.
  • Developed a Casting and Molding section in the Historic Restoration Shop and fabricated a plaster arm for the Girlhood Exhibit.
  • Work in the Historic Restoration and the Production Shop to assist in the fabrication and painting of exhibit buildups.
  • Work as a Lighting Technician assisting in custom exhibit lighting and cable organization.
  • Conduct daily lighting maintenance of exhibit lighting to maintain the continuity of the original lighting design.
  • Maintain Exhibit Services Group’s supply tools and equipment, ensuring organization safety and efficiency.
  • Responsible for the maintenance of vertical lifts.
  • Keep the Museum clean and in good repair:  wall repair, repainting gallery interactives, and performing specialty refurbishment.
  • Work with collection and management mount makers to ensure safe handling and proper installation.
  • Responsible for daily independent inspection for damage and care of a variety of galleries.
  • Responsible for independent planning and for affecting repairs coordinating with Exhibits Services Group, Exhibits Services Coordinator, Exhibits Design, Exhibits Production, and Curatorial and Collections Care.   
  • Maintain a daily log of gallery observations and accomplishments.
  • Exercise judgment as to the appropriate materials and timing of repairs prioritizing safety for objects and public well-being.
  • Repair, restore, and replace exhibit elements.

 

Smithsonian Institution - Exhibition Specialist GS-07- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

January 2016 – June 2017

  • Worked directly with international artists and their Studio Assistants to ensure their exhibits would be installed as desired.
  • Communicated with artists, Smithsonian curators, and directors to implement the requirements of site-specific installations.
  • De-installed and safely handled all art objects, including safely packing art in crates and transporting it to the docks. 
  • Prepared exhibit spaces for pre-installation: demolish old space, clean, and paint.

 

Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American Art - Exhibition Specialist GS-07

August 2015- June 2017

  • Prepared exhibit space for pre-installation, including demolishing the old space, cleaning, and painting.
  • Communicated with artists, Smithsonian curators, and directors to implement the requirements of site-specific installations.
  • Worked directly with international artists to ensure the proper installation of their exhibits.
  • Worked independently from blueprints, specifications, drawings, and instructions to build installations using a wide variety of hand and power tools.
  • Worked independently in the Exhibition Office Cabinet Shop fabricating platforms and pedestals, and applying finishes as required.
  • Interacted with fellow team members to manage project timelines effectively.
  • Worked with vertical lifts to accomplish jobs where needed.

 

C&H Restoration and Renovation – Restoration Specialist/Carpenter

September 2013 – May 2015

  • Historic Renovation specializing in turn-of-the-century homes.
  • Worked on all phases of the renovation process as well as new construction.

 

Technical Skills

  • Digital design and editing:  Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, InDesign, Google SketchUp.
  • Printmaking:  Intaglio, lithography, and screen printing.
  • Archival art handling.
  • Machinery and Fabrication:  Table Saw, Band Saw, Compound Miter Saw, Router, Panel Saw, Pneumatic Tools, Milling Machine, Drill Press, Welding, Painting, HPLV, Drywall work,
  • Casting and Molding:  Trained in casting and molding techniques at the Smooth-on Corporation in Macungie, PA, and Polytek in Easton, PA in 2018.
  • Fusion 360
  • Arakawa Hanging Systems
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