Conversation Intern Robin Pyo leads a demonstration for alumni visitors.
On July 31, 2026, the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery welcomed former Getty Marrow Undergraduate Interns back to Scripps College for a celebration of the program’s history, community, and lasting impact. The gathering marked an exciting milestone: since Scripps began participating in the program in 1993, one hundred undergraduate interns have gained experience in collections management, conservation, curation, and other areas of museum work at the Gallery.
The day began with a welcome reception and behind-the-scenes tour of the Gallery’s collections facilities. Alumni reunited with former colleagues, met participants from other years, and revisited the spaces and collections that shaped their early professional experiences.
Following lunch, Gallery Director Erin M. Curtis spoke about the program’s history and continued impact at Scripps. She also shared written remarks from former Gallery Director Mary MacNaughton, while former Registrar Kirk Delman offered his own reflections. Getty Program Associate Hilary L. Walter and Associate Director Daniel Reid also remarked on the program’s enduring legacy and the opportunities it continues to provide undergraduate students. The 2026 Getty Marrow interns, Penelope Hunter, Robin Pyo, and Janice Kim, presented their summer projects.
A discussion among alumni followed. Former interns representing more than three decades of the program shared memories of their summers at the Gallery and discussed how the experience shaped their education, careers, and involvement in the arts. Their stories showed the lasting value of paid opportunities for students interested in museum and gallery work. As an arts organization within an academic institution, the Williamson Gallery offers a unique environment that combines hands-on training with museum visits, conversations with established professionals, and art practice.
The celebration concluded with a reception, allowing guests to continue conversations from throughout the day. We are grateful to everyone who joined us, both in person and over Zoom, and to the many interns, mentors, and supporters who have sustained the program at Scripps for more than thirty years.
Written by: Penelope Hunter (2026 Getty Collections Intern)