Transfer student Reece Goodson, who aims to become a gallerist, works at the Zimmerli and interns for a New York gallery, where he hopes a job awaits
Inspired by the ancient artifacts exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Reece Goodson initially wanted to dig up ancient art at archaeologic sites in exotic locations.
But after taking a course in contemporary art with Anna Khimasia, a lecturer within the Department of Art History, the senior at Rutgers University-New Brunswick realized he belongs in a museum or an art gallery.
"Initially, I wanted to focus on art of antiquity," said Goodson, who graduates in May with a bachelor of arts degree in art history and a minor in archaeology from the School of Arts and Sciences. "I wanted to focus on ancient Rome, ancient Greece, and I wanted to minor in archeology to learn about the excavating side of that career path."
Goodson added that upon taking Khimasia's class, "... my first semester here, everything changed for me."
Khimasia said Reece "was curious, engaged and enthusiastic" in her class.
"He would often ask me questions outside of class and share what he was working on," said Khimasia, adding the two have kept in touch, briefly chatting on Wednesday mornings when she teaches at the Zimmerli Art Museum. "He is also very social, a great networker and eager to do well - all things that really help you succeed in the art world."
A resident of the Long Beach Island borough Beach Haven, N.J., Goodson transferred to Rutgers in the fall of 2023 after earning an associate of arts degree from Ocean County College.
Now the 24-year-old has set his sights on becoming a gallerist.
"She propelled me to take a complete 180," Goodson said of Khimasia. "I realized that that was the path that I wanted to go down. I realized that I wanted to work with living artists for my art career."
Goodson is on a mission to make that career a reality through an internship at Marian Goodman Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in New York, as well as his job at the Zimmerli, where he's worked as a gallery attendant since September 2023. He also serves as an intern at the Zimmerli two days a week.
I realized that I wanted to work with living artists for my art career.
Reece Goodson
Rutgers-New Brunswick student
At the Zimmerli, Goodson's responsibilities bounce between working at the front desk and greeting visitors, informing them about upcoming exhibitions and current exhibitions. He said he also walks through the museum's various galleries, "making sure no one has drinks on them, making sure no one is too close to the paintings, making sure children aren't running around." Additionally, he helps with the oversight of events held at the museum throughout the academic year.
Edwin Vazquez, who manages visitor services and security at the Zimmerli and has worked with Goodson for nearly two years, complimented Goodson's "very professional attitude," adding that the senior demonstrates "empathy and compassion for visitors as well as his fellow students."
"Reece is a stellar and invaluable employee: professional, courteous, trustworthy and friendly," said Zimmerli Director Maura Reilly. "It has been inspiring to watch him develop his understanding of art history and to share his aspirations of working in the gallery world, which is a profession he is now pursuing. He is among the next generation of art professionals who give me hope for the future of the arts and humanities."
Goodson said he learned about the internship opportunity at Marian Goodman Gallery through a former coworker at the Zimmerli who recommended he walk into the gallery with a cover letter and resume.
"And I did," he said. "It really couldn't have been a more perfect day. I had been informed that an intern that they were depending on for the summer had just unfortunately dropped out of the program and they were in need of someone. I literally was hired on the spot."
Goodson, who interned at the gallery from May to July of 2024, has returned this semester as an intern through May.
He puts together press clippings, formatting them and collecting them in computer files. When the gallery, which also has locations in Los Angeles and Paris, has a new collection of art or a new exhibition opening, Goodson helps to publish the art online for prospective buyers.
"It's a very well-known gallery in the city," said Goodson, adding that there is the potential for him to work full-time at the gallery after graduation. "I am very lucky for all that I've been able to experience there, thanks to the support of my supervisors, Linda Pellegrini and Jonathan Safdie. I have just tried to soak up as much as I can, and I've learned so much since joining them last May."
Tapping university resources such as job and internship opportunities at the Zimmerli have been crucial.
"The Zimmerli prepared me for my future experiences that I otherwise would've been overwhelmed for if I had gone straight into them," Goodson said.
