Petrine Knight - Class of 2006

I work at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston as a curatorial administrative assistant for both the Asian Art department and the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation (a private collection of Renaissance and Baroque European art). Working for these two departments is challenging and rewarding as I get to experience the inner workings of the museum from two different perspectives. I frequently put my foreign language skills to good use as it is often necessary correspond with French institutions.

While at R-MC, I realized that I could make a career out of both French and art history. At the end of my junior year, I was awarded the unique opportunity to be the only R-MC student to study at the Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis for the 2005-2006 school year. As a result I spent my senior year on the Riviera, which was a dream come true. It was not for any glamorous reason, but simply because I was able to focus completely on absorbing the language and culture of France. The added bonus was that I could finally see all the art that I had studied over the years up close and face to face; it was definitely an experience awesome enough to spoil anyone. Upon my return to the States, I was certain of the career path that I wished to follow.

Currently, I am applying to graduate school for a master’s degree in Art History to study eighteenth-century British and French art. One day I hope to also complete a PhD and work as a curator in an art museum in the States or abroad. My experience at R-MC has thoroughly prepared me for this next step that will be taking; I cannot wait to see where life takes me.