During the fall of 2024 the Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) hosted two interns Melissa Charles-Gálvan and Madeline Cortes Reyes, as part of the Smithsonian Latino Museum Studies Program (LMSP) Undergraduate Internship.
Melissa Charles-Gálvan (Chihuahua, México) is an undergraduate student at New Mexico State University, majoring in Museum Conservation with minors in Chemistry and Anthropology.
Madeline Cortes Reyes (Brooklyn, New York) recently earned her B.A. in Studio Art and a Publishing Certificate from the City College of New York.
The Latino Museum Studies Program (LMSP) Undergraduate Internship is a cohort-based museum studies program that provides career-building opportunities for undergraduate students. Each year, the program selects a cohort of interns to work in various Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art. These internships offer hands-on experience in various museum roles, helping students expand their understanding of museum practices. Melissa and Madeline’s diverse backgrounds and shared interest in cultural heritage preservation reflect the program’s mission to support the next generation of museum professionals.
Working closely with MCI imaging scientist, E. Keats Webb, Melissa and Madeline explored imaging techniques, including visible light, ultraviolet-induced visible luminescence, reflected infrared, Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), and photogrammetry. These imaging techniques allowed them to document the condition of various objects in the MCI Research Collection, including paper, photographs, and three-dimensional objects. Through their work with imaging data, Melissa and Madeline gained experience processing and interpreting digital images, learning how to extract visual details that inform conservation decisions.
With photo and paper conservator, Shannon Brogdon-Grantham, Melissa and Madeline learned and applied their newfound insights to conserving paper and photo objects. Their main project was the treatment of two 19th century prints by John William Orr (J.W. Orr). They conducted condition examinations, prepared treatment reports, and performed conservation treatments. They worked with various materials and tools, gaining practical experience with conservation techniques such as cleaning, mending, and matting.
The integration of imaging and conservation highlighted the intersection of the two disciplines and emphasized the field's collaborative nature. The experiences of the interns at the MCI reinforced the vital role that museums and research institutions play in safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations.
In addition to their hands-on work, Melissa and Madeline participated in enrichment activities, such as visiting other museums and conservation labs, meeting with different museum professionals, and attending the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation's (WUDPAC) Portfolio Day. This event gave them valuable insight into the structure of conservation programs, the admissions process, and the type of work students engage in broadening their perspectives as they look ahead to their future endeavors.
Blog post written by Madeline Cortes Reyes, December 2024
The Latino Museum Studies Program (LMSP) Undergraduate Internship is supported by the Mellon Foundation and the Latino Initiatives Pool and is administered by the National Museum of the American Latino (NMAL).
 Melissa performs an aqueous treatment on a 19th century print by J.W. Orr. Photo by Shannon Brogdon-Grantham. |  Madeline positions the flash to acquire images for RTI of a three-dimensional object. Photo by E. Keats Webb |