In early 2025 the Museum welcomed two new staff members — Francisca Drexel and Eloise McFarlane ’24.5 — and we’re finally getting around to introducing them. For this post we asked the two to interview each other. Welcome, Francisca and Eloise!
Francisca Drexel, Events and Programs Coordinator
For those who don’t know, how would you describe your position at the Museum?
For those who don’t know, how would you describe your position at the Museum?
FD: Well, you have to be somebody who enjoys collaboration, putting on events, organization, and all those nitty gritty details, which is a challenge! But it really comes down to a love of the arts for me.
Share a recent work moment that made you smile.
FD: A student came in as part of a class and he was so clearly excited about being in the Museum and happened to have a fascination with coins. It was incredible how excited he was about the Museum and I just loved seeing him invigorated and stirred up by the art. Also, I love working with our team, and appreciate when we can laugh at ourselves.
What are two things you do for fun?
FD: I love to hike and swim. That combination is perfection!
As our events coordinator extraordinaire, what would be your dream event?
FD: It would be so fun to have a whole day of fun. I imagine participants would come in the morning and work with an artist, perhaps attend a talk, then come out to the back patio and work to make something together. Maybe paper lanterns that we could walk with! And then there would be a food truck in a field, like the knoll for example, and we would have dinner where we hang the lanterns around the table. I think we should just do it.
Eloise McFarlane, Sabarsky Graduate Fellow
Can you share about the title of your position, the Sabarsky Graduate Fellowship?
EM: It refers to a generous gift to the Museum from The Serge and Vally Sabarsky Foundation in New York, all in an effort to make our works more accessible and inclusive, especially with respect to programming and curation.
How long have you been a Fellow and what is the one change you would implement at the Museum?
EM: It’s been almost 9 months since I started back in March. One of the main pursuits of my work right now is trying to drum up energy for our museum and all that we have to offer. I could say that we need a new museum, that is bigger, more accessible and more central, but we are getting that! So, I wouldn’t propose a systemic change as much as I’d just like people to be more aware of our offerings. I want the broader campus to have a better understanding that everyone has a place in our museum, regardless of their major, because it opens a giant hole of inquiry for a broad scope of people and disciplines.
Was there an experience during your undergraduate years at Middlebury that deepened your connection to the Museum/arts?
EM: My first term at Middlebury set me up nicely in the way that I took a dance class and an art history class. I decided right then and there that the arts were something I wanted to pursue, and chose to be an art history major and continued to take courses with the dance department. Also, writing my thesis in conjunction with the Museum was a really nice bridge to hands-on museum work, and collaboration with our museum!
Are there artists you’d like to see showcased at our museum?
EM: If we are dreaming big, my taste in art is all the most whimsical and colorful things. So I’d love to see works from Hilma af Klint or Lenora Carrington or Marc Chagall. I love all of that stuff. So that is my grand answer.
