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Museum of impact: Precious Roberts-Miller reflects on time at ‘The Jule’

While Auburn’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is renowned for its captivating exhibitions and innovative community involvement, it is the people behind the paintings that help the museum thrive. Precious Roberts-Miller, a museum student guide, contributes to the success of the museum while being influenced by the museum itself.

Roberts-Miller, a senior majoring in art, has been working at the Jule for more than five years. An Auburn native, her role at the museum helped solidify her place as a member of the Auburn Family.

“I've been here my whole life. My mom got her master's here at Auburn and my dad worked with the basketball team here. I kind of knew since high school that I was going to go to Auburn,” said Roberts-Miller. “Being here for so long, too, it really helped me know that Auburn was the right place.”

As a student guide, Roberts-Miller works with all facets of the public. Primarily, she gives tours, assists and leads community events and plans lessons about the museum's collection. While she works with audiences of all ages, Roberts-Miller felt the most impact while working with children. 

“The first time I had ever worked with my superiors here, we were running a program for Pre-K kids and doing an activity with them. It was a very simple activity, but the kids were so into it. They were clamoring over each other to show me their artwork,” said Roberts-Miller. “It was such a transformative moment because in that moment, I thought, ‘Oh wow, I really enjoy this.’ I like spreading art, teaching kids about it and seeing them excited about it. Maybe they'll take that with them in the future."

The Jule Collins Smith Museum has several community events throughout the year to educate the public and foster appreciation for the art on display in the museum. Before starting her position, Roberts-Miller was nervous when talking to big groups. However, using skills taken from her coursework, she adapted and took her teaching responsibility head-on, something that has boosted her confidence and communication skills.

“Whenever we go out to the community, I'll be a little nervous, but I know they're looking to me as a teacher. Especially when working with children, they don't know a lot about art or want to know more about art, but they're afraid to say something,” said Roberts-Miller. “So, they look to us as the people who are going to teach them, and that kind of gets me out of that nervous comfort zone, and I think, ‘Okay, I'm here to teach them. They're here to listen to me.’ So, it has built the skills of working with children, working with adults and learning how to teach art to those unfamiliar.”

In addition to confidence and public speaking skills, Roberts-Miller has taken advantage of her surroundings. As an art major, she takes inspiration from the works displayed in the museum into her academic life.

“It's such a large and expansive collection, and there's so much in there. Whenever I'm able to look at everything that we have, it really does inspire me because I'm here to learn about art, and I had never been exposed to as much art as I have working here, so it really does inspire me in my own work to push myself and create something,” said Roberts-Miller. “Being able to come here, and as many years as I've been here and all the things I've been exposed to, has really broadened my horizons on art. I view it in a totally new and open way.”

Learn more about Art & Art History in the College of Liberal Arts.

Find more information about student guides at The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art.

Tags: Arts and Culture Art and Art History Students