Elizabeth Gatto
Buffalo,NY
Summary
Dedicated and passionate educator with extensive knowledge in art history and interpretive planning. Committed to creating meaningful programming to boost engagement and overall visitor experience. Outgoing, friendly, and highly attentive to detail.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Educator and Program Coordinator
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
Lackawanna, NY
04.2023 - Current
- Develops, plans, and executes programming utilizing the historic conservatory's collection. This includes interpretive programs, such as hands-on workshops, guided tours, art offerings, and community outreach activities.
- Organizes activities and resources to promote visitor engagement in learning.
- Researched and wrote educational content for interpretive materials pertaining to special exhibitions and the permanent plant collection. This includes text panels, media releases, worksheets, and informational pamphlets/reading materials.
- Compiled data from field surveys to evaluate existing interpretive programming.
- Collaborates with colleagues to share best practices in teaching and engagement methods.
- Incorporates cooperative learning strategies into daily instruction whenever possible.
- Creates lesson plans and activities to engage with a diverse range of visitors to the gardens.
- Maintains accurate records of attendance, profit, and growth.
- Drafts reservation forms, along with contractual agreements, to ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors.
- Oversees the coordination of all visiting groups through email, phone, and in-person correspondence.
- Maintains budget and allocates funds appropriately to support programming and department needs.
- Forms partnerships with other local cultural institutions to further connect the botanical gardens with the surrounding community, through executing outreach events.
- Created an evaluation form to gain quantifiable visitor feedback.
Event Assistant
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
Buffalo, NY
11.2022 - 04.2023
- Responded to client inquiries with efficiency, organization, and accuracy.
- Provided support to clients before, during, and after events.
- Developed new internal events to boost attendance and enhance visitor experience at the gardens.
- Monitored event progress to identify potential risks or issues that could arise.
- Resolved any conflicts that may have arisen throughout the course of an event's planning process or implementation stages.
- Collaborated with colleagues on developing innovative ideas to increase attendance through future events.
- Organized event materials such as signage, decorations, catering supplies, and audio-visual equipment.
- Communicated effectively with vendors regarding needs for specific services related to an event.
- Greeted incoming guests, accepted payments, reviewed tickets, and directed to facility locations.
- Assisted in managing event budgets, tracking expenses and supplies.
Barista
Orange Cat Coffee Co.
Lewiston, NY
09.2018 - 11.2022
- Greets customers while managing and processing orders in a very fast-paced environment.
- Trained new baristas on company policies and procedures regarding food handling safety standards.
- Ensured all equipment was maintained in proper working order according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Kept up-to-date records of sales transactions using point-of-sale systems.
- Collected payments and provided accurate change.
- Worked efficiently with team members to ensure smooth workflow and high-quality service during peak hours.
- Addressed and resolved customer concerns to maintain positive relationships.
- Handled inventory, including ordering supplies, stocking products, and conducting regular inventory checks.
Assistant of Visual Arts and Family Programs
Artpark
Lewiston, NY
05.2012 - 10.2020
- Developed and implemented lesson plans to teach art concepts such as perspective, color theory, drawing, painting and sculpting.
- Responsible for developing artistic concepts, interpretive activities, and projects pertaining to artwork in the park. This specifically included Free Family Saturdays, Festivals, Exhibitions, and Art Camp.
- Provided individual instruction and feedback on campers' artwork.
- Collaborating with artists in executing installations throughout the park.
- Planned, installed, and curated summer exhibitions for the Artpark Gallery.
- Supervisory and management experience.
Gallery Assistant
Anna Kaplan Contemporary
Buffalo, NY
09.2017 - 03.2020
- Assisted in the curation and installation of multiple exhibitions within and around the city of Buffalo. Including spaces such as the former Hotel Henry, Big Orbit Gallery, Benjamin Gallery, Indigo Gallery, the Terrace, and Anna Kaplan Contemporary.
- Curated spaces at private residences around Buffalo utilizing the work of represented artists.
- Fulfilled needs of exhibited artists while preparing their work for display.
- Greets and fulfills needs of guests at public openings, private showings, and ticketed events.
- Participated in the development of Art Play/Ground, an immersive art experience that took place in Medina and at River works.
- Taught art workshops to visitors at Art Play/Ground opening weekends centered around paper cut artworks displayed in the exhibition.
Curatorial Intern
Buffalo AKG Art Museum
Buffalo, NY
06.2017 - 09.2017
- Conducted in-depth research of artwork within the permanent collection for the curatorial department, under the direction of Holly Hughes, Godin-Spaulding Senior Curator for the Collection.
- Attended meetings with curators, researchers, and conservators to discuss current projects.
- Created maquettes for exhibition models.
- Researched relevant topics in order to create interpretive labels for pieces in the gallery.
- Produced a timeline of artwork from the permanent collection pertaining to the 1960s and presented work to museum staff and volunteers.
- Worked collaboratively with fellow interns and departments to ensure thorough completion of tasks and research.
Curatorial Intern
Castellani Art Museum
Niagara Falls, NY
01.2015 - 06.2015
- Assisted in the curation of the 25th Anniversary Exhibition and Gala under the direction of former Art History with Museum Studies Department head, Marian Granfield.
- Drafted and wrote text panels for the 25th Anniversary Exhibition, while updating museum artwork archives with the latest research.
- Coordinated and facilitated installation efforts for the 25th Anniversary Exhibition.
- Created interpretive materials and programming for the 'Of their Time: Pop to Postmodernism' exhibit. This included activities centered around collage as an art-making method in connection with Robert Rauschenberg.
- Developed and curated an exhibition titled 'Little Things: Uncovering Identity on Campus through Dress and Adornment'.
- Organized archival documents related to the museum's history and holdings for easy access by staff members.
- Presented lectures about specific works of art or particular periods of artistic production to groups of visitors.
- Worked closely with docents to improve tours and visitor interactions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Art History And Museum Studies
Niagara University
Lewiston, NY05-2017
Skills
- Exhibit Curator
- Painting and Drawing
- Program Development
- Lesson Planning
- Art exhibition displaying
- Creative Direction
- Digital Archiving
- Public Engagement
- Museum Cataloging
- Volunteer Management
- Adaptive Learning
- Strong Organization
- Research and Development
- Altru
- Excel
- Powerpoint
- Word
- Outlook
- Public Speaking
- Customer Service
Accomplishments
Member, Delta Epsilon Sigma National Honor Society for Catholic Universities
Recipient,Niagara University College of Arts and Science’s Outstanding Student Achievement
Award for Academic Excellence, College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s List each and every
Semester, overall GPA of 3.92
Timeline
Educator and Program Coordinator
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
04.2023 - Current
Event Assistant
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
11.2022 - 04.2023
Barista
Orange Cat Coffee Co.
09.2018 - 11.2022
Gallery Assistant
Anna Kaplan Contemporary
09.2017 - 03.2020
Curatorial Intern
Buffalo AKG Art Museum
06.2017 - 09.2017
Curatorial Intern
Castellani Art Museum
01.2015 - 06.2015
Assistant of Visual Arts and Family Programs
Artpark
05.2012 - 10.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Art History And Museum Studies
Niagara University
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