Assistant Curator Of Mediterranean Art Appointed At Princeton Museum

PRINCETON, NJ — Carolyn M. Laferrière was recently named assistant curator of ancient Mediterranean art at Princeton University Art Museum.

Her new appointment began Aug. 1.

Laferrière will curate the Museum’s collections from around the ancient Mediterranean world, including its holdings of ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Near Eastern art.

Her appointment comes at a time when the University began construction on a dramatic new building designed by Sir David Adjaye last year. The new building is scheduled to open in late 2024.

Laferrière will lead the planning for the new galleries as well as develop temporary exhibitions, conduct research, initiate programs, grow the collections, and cultivate collectors and supporters.

Laferrière joins Princeton from the Center for the Premodern World and the Department of Classics at the University of Southern California, where she served as a postdoctoral scholar and teaching fellow. Before that, she served as a postdoctoral associate in ancient and premodern cultures and civilizations with ARCHAIA, Yale University's Program for the Study of Ancient and Premodern Cultures and Civilizations. She was also a lecturer in Yale’s Departments of History of Art and Classics.

"Carolyn’s boundary-crossing work with the art of the ancient world and her understanding of the complexities of cultural property stewardship make her a truly exciting addition to the Museum team at a time of dramatic growth,” James Steward, Nancy A. Nasher–David J. Haemisegger, Director, said in a statement.

Laferrière earned a PhD from Yale University in the history of art, specializing in Greek art and archaeology. She received a master of arts in classical and Near Eastern archaeology from the University of British Columbia and a bachelor’s degree from Carleton University, with a double major in art history and classics and religion.

“I am honored to join Princeton’s team during this exciting time of growth and evolution,” Laferrière said. “The opportunity to shape new gallery spaces at a museum with such a deep and rich history is exceptionally rare, and I’m especially thrilled for the opportunity to reframe how we interrogate ancient works of art in Sir David’s galleries.”

The Princeton University Art Museum has a collection that dates back to 1755. The museum is one of the leading university art museums in the country, with collections that include more than 113,000 works of art ranging from ancient to contemporary art and spanning the globe.

The main Museum building is currently closed for construction. Art@Bainbridge is located in downtown Princeton at 158 Nassau Street. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Art on Hulfish, the Museum’s photo-focused gallery is located at 11 Hulfish Street in Palmer Square and is open daily. Admission to both galleries is free.