When Nashville’s Sexual Assault Center (SAC) set out to reimagine an exhibition for its spring open house, two College of Arts and Science students stepped forward to bring the project to life.
Taliyah Bradberry, a senior double-majoring in history of art and studio art, and Quinn Fitzpatrick, a junior majoring in political science, were selected for the opportunity as they both plan to pursue the new minor in museum and market studies that launches this fall. The minor offers students comprehensive knowledge of museum practices and the business of art while developing practical skills through interdisciplinary coursework and hands-on experiences, such as this one. Neither Bradberry nor Fitzpatrick had any prior experience creating art exhibitions, but they eagerly jumped on this unique opportunity.
Working closely with two faculty members, Associate Professor of History of Art and Architecture Rebecca VanDiver and Lecturer of Art Vadis Turner, Bradberry and Fitzpatrick curated What Were You Wearing?, an exhibition that challenges common misconceptions about sexual assault by pairing survivor stories with clothing that represents what they were wearing when assaulted.
The opportunity emerged after Turner, an SAC board member, and VanDiver saw a similar exhibit concept at the center in 2024. SAC wanted to create a new iteration of that exhibit for their April open house held in conjunction with their Day on the Hill lobbying event, which provides a platform to meet with lawmakers and advocate for key pieces of legislation.
“Given the Department of History of Art and Architecture’s commitment to providing experiential learning opportunities, and our new museum and market studies minor,” VanDiver said, “I immediately reached out to Susan Dine, who is directing the minor, to see if there were any students interested in curating the exhibition. Taliyah and Quinn jumped at the chance and really took the lead in selecting the stories, sourcing the materials, conceptualizing the installation, and bringing the exhibition to life. The project offered them the unique opportunity to put into practice the skills they were learning in the classroom and to contribute meaningfully to the wider Nashville community.”
Bradberry and Fitzpatrick selected seven stories that reflected a broad range of experiences of sexual assault survivors. They sourced clothing from local thrift stores and their own closets (which they later donated to the SAC) and then transformed the organization’s space into an immersive exhibition.
They suspended garments throughout a hallway to create a visual experience that encouraged visitors to consider the individuals and stories behind each outfit. They used doorways as both physical and symbolic entry points into the experiences represented in the exhibition.
“Once everything was completed, I felt very proud of what Quinn and I had accomplished in such a short time,” Bradberry said. “More importantly, it was incredible to hear the reactions from individuals at the Sexual Assault Center. Many shared that they were moved by the exhibition, which was ultimately our main goal.”
For Bradberry, the project offered an opportunity to apply concepts she explored in the classroom while contributing to an issue that affects individuals in Nashville and beyond. She said the experience reinforced the importance of creativity and adaptability in museum work, particularly when working with limited resources and tight timelines.
Originally on a pre-law track, Bradberry discovered her passion for art history after taking a course on the topic. She became interested in the ways museums can help people engage with complex topics through visual storytelling.
“The A&S curriculum encourages students to explore a broad range of disciplines and perspectives. Without those requirements, I likely would have never taken an art history course, which ultimately let me toward museum work,” she said. “Museums and arts organizations often lack necessary resources, so learning how to work quickly and develop creative solutions are invaluable skills. I also learned so much about the SAC itself. Before this project, I was unaware of the incredible resources and support they provide for individuals in the Nashville community.”
For Fitzpatrick, the exhibition marked her first opportunity to work on a professional museum project from conception to completion. She helped brainstorm concepts, source materials, create interpretive labels, and design the installation, and even spoke at the exhibition opening. The experience gave her a firsthand look at the collaboration required to transform an idea into a public-facing exhibition.
“The process of putting everything together was rewarding as Taliyah and I were able to utilize the skills we gained from our coursework and apply them to something so impactful,” Fitzpatrick said. “Exhibitions sometimes have a quick turnaround, and this one required us to pivot on several occasions. It was incredible to see the amount of work and dedication everyone displayed, and the support Taliyah and I received was unparalleled. During the exhibition, we had the chance to speak with some of those attending, and it was amazing to hear about the impact of this exhibit on others.”
Fitzpatrick said courses in the museum and market studies minor gave her the confidence and practical knowledge to take on the project while reinforcing her interest in museums as spaces where objects, stories, and history come together to engage the public.
“My education at Vanderbilt has exceeded all expectations, and Susan Dine’s classes are a key reason for that,” she said. “I have always loved visiting museums, but before, I would have been in no way equipped to understand the work and different considerations that need to go into an exhibit. I am not going to say this was not a daunting opportunity when it was first presented, but I did feel confident in what I had learned and was prepared to apply our studies to this real-world opportunity.”
