Sidney & Bea Parnes Creativity Collection
How do thousands of archival pieces become one story someone wants to keep exploring?
The project
The Sidney and Bea Parnes Creativity Collection contains thousands of books, photographs, documents, and personal artifacts connected to the history of creativity studies at Buffalo State University. The original brief was to curate a physical exhibition, but the available display cases could hold only a fraction of the collection.
I saw an opportunity to introduce visitors to the collection while giving them ways to continue exploring what the room could not contain.
My role
I researched the archive, selected artifacts, developed the narrative, and designed the visitor journey. I considered what needed explanation, what could speak for itself, and which relationships between materials would help the collection feel coherent.
I also proposed and built a companion website and AI-supported exploration layer, expanding the project beyond its original brief. My work encompassed research, curation, exhibition design, narrative development, digital experience design, and project coordination.
The result
The exhibition opened to more than 100 guests and became a permanent installation in Butler Library at SUNY Buffalo State.
The project reflects how I often work: beginning with the stated assignment, identifying what the experience still needs, and developing the additional layers that make it more engaging and complete.
