In the Spotlight: Genia Hesser

Tuesday, June 2, 2015 6:56 PM by Taylor Studios in Inspiration and Client Success Stories


Welcome to our first In the Spotlight, Taylor Studios newest series where we will feature some of our past clients. Were really excited to introduce you to our friends!

Today, in the hot seat, we have Genia Hesser, the Curator of Exhibits for the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Weve known Genia a long time and are thrilled she agreed to take part in our interview. We began our working relationship with Genia in 2007 when we designed and built exhibits for the Fort Abercrombie Interpretive Center in Abercrombie, ND. Since then, we’ve worked with her on two additional projects. We developed an interpretive plan for the Fort Totten State Historic Site in Fort Totten, ND before completing a design-build project for the interpretive center at that location. Most recently, Taylor Studios played a part in the fabrication of exhibits at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck.

What words of advice would you give to someone starting their first exhibit project?

Edit text with extreme prejudice. You don’t have to be everything for every visitor – figure out what you (or your organization) has to offer that others don’t and highlight that. Neatness counts; you may not be able to afford expensive materials or fancy gadgets but it doesn’t take money to make sure and exhibit is well-organized, clean, tidy, and well-presented.

What exhibit, anywhere anytime, has made the greatest impression upon you?

House on the Rock when I was about 6 years old. As a professional it makes me shudder but I’ve never forgotten it.

How did you get to where you are?

Hard work, grad school, paying my dues, and a little luck.

Which exhibit has been the most popular or engaging amongst your visitors? Why?

Probably our dinosaur exhibits because they are multi-generational and visually impressive with the full-scale skeleton casts.

In hindsight, what would you have done differently?

Written less, shown more.

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