Call for Volunteers
The Marvin Samson Museum for the History of Pharmacy is seeking volunteers from the SJU community to work with visiting artist Teresa Cervantes in the production of a series of artworks for an upcoming campus exhibition. Students, staff, faculty members and administrators are encouraged to participate.
Volunteers will be asked to choose from a selection of Cervantes’ sculptures for a temporary installation in their home medicine cabinets. The artist will coordinate a 30 minute visit with volunteers at their home to photograph their medicine cabinet. Photo sessions will take place over two days in late September 2024; participation will be dependent on availability. These photos will be used as artistic source material for an original drawing series Cervantes is producing for the exhibition. Each volunteer will receive an art print in thanks for their time and vulnerability.
The production of this series of images offers participants an opportunity to share their personal and intimate spaces of self-care, wellness, and healthcare with the larger SJU community. As a group, these images will reflect a diversity of approaches to managing care and offer glimpses into the interior lives within the SJU community.
Questions? Email pharmacymuseum@sju.edu.
Opportunities
Research Inquiries
Most objects in our collection are available for in-person study in our Museum Study Room. Explore our Collections Database to discover objects not currently on display or contact us for guidance on collection holdings not reflected online.
For research inquiries or to schedule an appointment at the Museum Study Room, please email pharmacymuseum@sju.edu.
Student Internship Program
Interested in working with the museum? For-credit internship opportunities through the Philadelphia-Area Internship Course.
About the internship: An internship placement with the Marvin Samson Museum offers Saint Joseph’s University students a transformative experience totalling 130 hours of immersive learning. Under the guidance of museum staff, interns delve into research on collection objects and curate their own museum displays, enhancing their practical skills and deepening their understanding of the field. Interns will craft essential professional documents, including a polished resume and a cover letter, and maintain a reflective journal to capture their personal and professional growth throughout the program. This program emphasizes career readiness through hands-on engagement in multi- and interdisciplinary fields while fostering the refinement of interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving competencies.
For inquiries or further information about the internship program, please contact Dr. Melissa Chakars, PhD, Professor and Chair of History, by phone 610-660-1745 or email mchakars@sju.edu.
Class Visits
Interested in using the collection to supplement your curriculum? Contact us to schedule a visit to our Museum Gallery or Study Room. We recommend scheduling at least 4 weeks in advance to ensure availability.
Questions on how to integrate object-based study into your curriculum? Contact us for resources and guidance.