Catherine Doucette '18

Catherine Doucette ‘18 | Honors Art History major 

Catherine Doucette ’18 arrived at Saint Anselm College with a passion for art history and left with experiences that set up her up for postgraduate success. From studying abroad in Italy to interning at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, she gained invaluable insight into the vast world of art. Since graduating, Doucette has worked at several prestigious museums both in the United States and abroad. She’s gone on to earn a master’s degree from the Courtauld Institute of Art and is presently working towards a Ph.D. in art and architectural history from the University of Virginia. 

What made you want to study art history at Saint Anselm?

I knew going into college that art history was something I was really interested in. I worked under the guidance of Professor Katherine Bentz and was able to take classes that focused on different periods of architecture, sculpture, and painting. Professor Bentz encouraged me to participate in a museum internship program, and I was lucky enough to intern at the Art of Europe department at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston! I truly learned the value and importance of art history during my Saint Anselm education.

What was your favorite class? 

Professor Bentz taught some great classes on Italian Renaissance art as well as a seminar on Michelangelo. The seminar focused on one artist, which is something I have focused on in my postgraduate work at several museums. I also completed a study abroad in Orvieto, Italy with Saint Anselm’s archaeological field school. That experience involved pulling artifacts up from the earth, learning about how archeological pits are dug, and all about different tools and equipment. Those experiences helped me see more of the interdisciplinary nature of art history and research. 

How did Saint Anselm contribute to your work in art history and aid in furthering your research? 

I was very big on the internship and volunteering front in terms of my museum work. During my junior year, I went abroad for the full academic year at the University of Leeds in northern England. During my senior year, I worked at the College’s Office of International Programs which was really important. I took the lessons that I learned abroad and at Saint Anselm to better understand what it means to be a global citizen.  

What advice would you give to an undergraduate student looking to get involved on campus? 

It’s so important to get involved. When you are an undergraduate student, there’s a difference between what you’re learning and experiencing in the classroom versus what is happening in the real world. For me, doing things like internships helped me get my foot in the door and learn the inner workings of a museum. That experience is crucial to figure out what you like or don't like. No matter what, you can take those experiences and skills and transfer them to something you are passionate about. 

What was your favorite memory on the Hilltop? 

I did the gingerbread house making competition with a group of friends one year which was a fun way to unleash our creativity and imagination at the end of the semester! Whether you win or lose, it’s a really fun experience.