MESDA Summer Institute Final Presentations
June 27, 2025 Winston-Salem, NC2025 Summer Institute Final Presentations
For forty-nine years the MESDA Summer Institute has trained the next generation of southern decorative arts scholars. Please join us from 10:00am – 2:30pm on Friday, June 27 as the 2025 MESDA Summer Institute students present their original research. Together with our academic partner, Wake Forest University, the 2025 Summer Institute emphasizes the objects, buildings, and landscapes of the Chesapeake.
To register, please click here!
If you’re interested in attending in person, please contact Melissa Bertram ([email protected] or 336-721-7328) to inquire about boxed lunch availability.
Can’t attend, but still want to support MESDA’s educational efforts? Consider making a gift to MESDA’s Annual Fund or becoming a Friend of MESDA.
Final Presentation Schedule:
| 10:00 to 11:10 | Session 1 |
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Pendant England Late 17th century Gold, rock crystal, foil Gift of Mary G. Boyd (Acc. 5253) Sarah Beach |
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Sundial United Kingdom 1709 Brass Gift of Mrs. Andrew Weber (Acc. 3842) Dr. Katherine Gregory Visiting Assistant Professor, American Art Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
| 11:20 to 12:10 | Session 2 |
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Candlestick Attributed to the shop of Benedict Calvert Milburn Wilkes Street Pottery Alexandria, District of Columbia Circa 1840 Salt-glazed stoneware The William C. and Susan S. Mariner Collection (Acc. 5813.13) Meghan Townes The William C. and Susan S. Mariner Ceramics Fellowship |
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Padlock and key Columbus J. Stewart Baltimore, Maryland 1850-1860 Iron, brass Gift of Frank L. Horton (Acc. 2413.2) Gabrielle Clement PhD Candidate, Art History University of Delaware Newark, Delaware The Mills Lane Architecture Fellowship |
| 12:10 to 1:00 | Break for Lunch |
| 1:00 to 1:50 | Session 3 |
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Award of Merit for Frances Isabella Chapman Isabella Smith Georgetown, District of Columbia 1830 Watercolor on paper Gift of Claiborne B. Beall in memory of Otho T. Beall, Jr. (Acc. 6041.12) Allison Donoghue MA, Decorative Arts and Material Culture Bard Graduate Center New York City, New York The William C. and Susan S. Mariner Fellowship for Emerging Museum Professionals Sponsored by the Decorative Arts Trust |
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Sampler Mary Eleanor “Mollie” Beall Prince George Co., Maryland (Acc. 6041.5) Tessa Payer Assistant Curator, Textiles & Historic Dress Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Williamsburg, Virginia The Carol Holcomb Textile Fellowship |
| 2:00 to 2:25 | Session 4 |
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Cypher and record book William Healy, schoolmaster; William “Wiley” Buntin Jr., student Nash County, North Carolina Circa 1807 Ink, paper (Acc. 6150) Sarah Brokenborough |
Event Generously Sponsored By:
