Grace MacDonald ‘24

Grace MacDonald ‘24 | Honors Art History major, French, History, and Gender Studies minor

Grace MacDonald ’24 practically grew up on the Hilltop. After spending many weekends visiting with her alumna mother, Saint Anselm College already felt like home when it came time for MacDonald choose a school. When she arrived, the Art History major jumped head first into college life through extracurriculars, campus jobs, and study abroad opportunities. After commencement, MacDonald’s interest took her back overseas for graduate school. 

What brought you to the Hilltop? 

My mom graduated from Saint Anselm! I grew up coming to campus on the weekends with my mom and my aunt (her college roommate) and hearing laughter override their stories. My mom brought my sisters and I to football games at Grappone Stadium, lunch at C-Shop or Davison Hall, ice skating at the Sullivan Arena, or to Mass in the Abbey Church. When I was making my college decision, Saint Anselm already felt like home.

How did you know you wanted to be an Art History major? 

When I took Professor Laura Shea’s Global and Contemporary Art class during the first semester of my sophomore year. I realized how much art history fascinated me and how passionate and excited I was to talk about it. It was an instant love that keeps growing! 

What were you biggest takeaways from studying art history? 

That art history not only reveals a more humanistic understanding of the past, but it also gives us insight into how we view ourselves and our understanding of the world around us. Through such an expressive medium, these ideas become much richer and detailed as one understands them. 

How did you feel supported as a Saint Anselm student?

I feel like the professors and other faculty members were really there for me. If I had a problem, there was someone I could turn to that was truly willing to help. They all want to see students succeed and are willing to go the extra mile to make that happen.

How were you involved on campus?

I was a tour guide in the Office of Admission, a peer tutor for the Academic Resource Center (ARC), a research assistant for the History Department, and the vice president of the Honors Program! Saint Anselm is so special because it's so easy and fun to get involved on campus.

Did you study abroad?

Yes! I studied abroad in Paris during the spring semester of my junior year. It was an amazing opportunity for my Art History major and my French minor, as I was able to view amazing art at the numerous museums in Paris and I took all my classes in French. I met so many great new people and travelled as well.

What was your favorite thing to do on campus?

It's hard to choose, but probably going to C-Shop (and the pub when I was old enough) with my friends! I loved giving tours around campus as well. 

Did you have any professors who felt like mentors on campus? 

Professor Shea was my advisor and was extremely helpful. From my first independent research project to my senior internship to getting into grad school, she was always there to help and give me advice. 

Since graduating, what have you been up to? 

I moved to London and got my master’s degree in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art. Now, I am back in Massachusetts, and I work as a collections assistant for Historic New England.

Do you have a favorite piece of art? 

I would say Slave Ship (Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On) by J. M. W. Turner is maybe the most significant to me. I saw it at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston on a visit for Conversatio and I remember being completely in awe of the work—I couldn’t look away. Then I really enjoyed the paper I had to write about the work, which was my first time writing about art! I also enjoy several watercolor paintings that I wrote about for my master’s dissertation.  

What would you suggest to someone studying art history? 

Use your resources! The amazing professors, the Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center, and the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester are all right there.