By Christopher Collier, guest writer of the MAS

Welcome back to Get to Know Us, a Q/A series giving readers a personal look into the lives and careers of MAS staff members.

Today’s guest is Beth Fisher, MAS Events Coordinator/Store Manager.

Channeling her passion for art and design, Fisher studied interior design at Texas Tech. Fisher began working at the Museum of Arts and Sciences as a docent in the 1980s. Leading school tours and helping others dissect exhibits, her love for the arts propelled her forward. Today, Fisher manages the museum’s store and assists with the coordination of various museum events, including parties and receptions. 

Q: What is your favorite part about working at the Museum of Arts and Sciences?

A: Probably the fact that it [the museum] is ever-changing. We have new exhibits all the time. We have everything here—live animals, a planetarium, [and] outdoor venues. There are people from all over that come here. It’s just an interesting place to work because there’s no sameness. Every day is different.

Q:  What is your favorite object or exhibit at the museum?

A: It’s something that’s on exhibit right now, and I always go back to it for some reason. It’s a mixed media doll. She was made in 1928 I believe, [and] her name is Nettie. A man by the name of Leo Moss was the artist. He lived here in Macon. To make money, he painted houses and put up wallpaper. When he had free time, he would make dolls for the people who hired him to do the work at their homes—he would make dolls for the children. When he had time, he would make dolls for his children.

Q: Did you ever see yourself working in a museum?

A: I knew I would be interested in something like that. As a child with a military family, we traveled so much that one of the things that we spent a lot of time doing was going to museums in whichever area that we were living in.

Q: What is your favorite museum memory from your youth?

A: Probably the earliest one that I remember was in first or second grade. We went on a field trip to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Q: Was there a piece of art at the National Gallery of Art that stuck out to you?

A: It’s a portrait called “A Girl with a Watering Can” by [Pierre-Auguste] Renoir.      

I bought that in the gift shop with the money that my parents gave me to spend.

Q: Let’s talk about life outside the museum. What is your favorite hobby outside of work?

A: I like to read, I like movies, [and] I like to work on different art projects.

Q: What is your favorite band or artist?

A: I like any music from the 50s or 60s.

(*This interview has been condensed and edited)