Studying Art and Design in D.C.
From museums to monuments and everything in between, these students took studying across the country for insights into the functions of art.
May 1, 2026
Last month, Bradley Art & Design students traveled to Washington D.C. to engage with some of the most significant collections and monuments in the nation, offering an immersive, hands-on extension of the classroom. The group spent the week moving between world-class museums, historic sites, and independent exploration.
Led by Professor Cyle Metzger, the students had opportunities to visit the National Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn, and the National Portrait Gallery, all within the first few days. They gained a more global perspective the deeper they explored, with time spent at the National Museum of African Art and the National Museum of Asian Art.
“Whether encountering iconic works in person, participating in behind-the-scenes conversations with museum professionals, or navigating the city’s cultural institutions independently, these students gained a deeper understanding of how art functions within broader social, political, and institutional frameworks,” Art & Design Chair Heather Ford said.
For Art History senior Ariana Nogueda, taking concepts out of the classroom and placing work in context, like viewing a Monet painting she had only seen before in books, left a huge impression.
“There is something powerful about experiencing the scale, detail, and atmosphere firsthand of places you have only read about,” she said. “Walking through museums and memorials made history feel much more immediate and meaningful.”
Nogueda and her peers developed stronger critical thinking skills by analyzing how spaces and objects communicate meaning. Plus, exploring a new city with friends helped build confidence.
One of the most impactful moments on the trip was a special session led by Melissa Ho, curator of 20th century art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Ho offered rare insight into curatorial practice and collection interpretation that Nogueda and her peers will hold close for years to come.
“Seeing how institutions preserve history while creating engaging visitor experiences helped me imagine how I could contribute through curation, archival work, or collections work in the future,” Nogueda said. “Talking with museum professionals was especially enriching because it allowed me to see what day-to-day life looks like and how gratifying it can be to work in a field you love.”
The trip was a huge success, and another example of Bradley’s devotion to experiences that fuel learning from outside the classroom.
“A textbook can teach us facts and theories, but it cannot recreate the feeling of standing in front of an artwork, seeing the brushstrokes and the way light reflects off the texture of the canvas, or moving through a carefully designed exhibition space,” Nogueda said. “This trip helped me understand how emotion, environment, and audience experience all shape the meaning of art in different ways.”
—Jenevieve Rowley-Davis