JACQUELINE VAN RHYN

by Erik Everts

Occupation: Curator of prints and photographs at the Print Center
Location: Bella Vista

What drew you to Philadelphia?

I graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts in 1997 with a Master's in art history and was working for a segment of the Harvard Art Museums. During that time I had a few friends who moved to Philadelphia to work or continue their education. One of them who was at Moore College of Art and Design galleries mentioned the position at the Print Center to me. My focus at that time was not prints and photographs, but it did interest me so I decided to move from Boston and take the job here.

How does the Boston art world compare to Philadelphia?

I love Philadelphia. Boston is not a city for contemporary art. Certain institutions are trying to create a contemporary art community, but Philadelphia is thriving with a wealth of artists, many of whom are helpful and cordial. Not only are there a lot of art schools situated in downtown Center City but you also have a lot of alternative spaces--either artist-run co-op galleries or small nonprofits like the Print Center. Being involved in the community here was a great opportunity to get away from the very hierarchical and slow-placed system in a large institution like the Harvard Museums.

Does your occupation influence the way you live at home?

Actually, my home is very unplanned. There's a lot of chance involved in the presentation. I always seem to come back to the [John] Cage-in model. I have an eclectic mix of styles: a desk that I've had since I was 12, a futon frame from college, furniture that was being thrown away at the Harvard Museum and a couch from Pier One. It's important to maintain a level of comfort, which is why I love the mix of old and new. My personal style doesn't involve a lot of color, so I try to bring that out at home. I'm usually wearing all black.

But it seems like you do take your work home a little--you have tons of magazines, catalogues and monographs in your cabinet.

It's my passion. The only way to go into a nonprofit in the art sector is for the work to be your passion because it doesn't pay much. There really is no boundary between work and my private life. Ninety percent of what I read is art-related. They keep me up-to-date with what's going on in the contemporary art world, which is constantly changing and fluctuating with its mini-trends.

How do you relax at home?

Now that summer's here, I can come outside on the deck and enjoy the quiet--just sit and have a glass of wine with no distractions. Reading a book is a great luxury. I'm involved in a very social world with my job--going to galleries, lectures, openings, dinners--so I don't get to spend a lot of time at home. It's such a treat when I get to spend time here.

What's your favorite piece of art in your home?

Well, I was hoping to have it here for you to see but it's being framed right now. It's a piece from Nancy Spiro--she does hand-printed work of female imagery--who plays a very important role in my life. Her work had such an impact on me at a time when I didn't know if I wanted to continue in art history. I thought, "Wow, if art can do that to me, I'd be stupid to not pursue a career in it." When I came to Philly I invited her and her husband to show. I got to meet her and spend time in her studio. She's 76 now, and is from a time when women artists weren't accepted. She helped to break through into a white, male-dominated space. She's inspired me along with thousands of others. The print is my pride and joy.