Immerse

October 22, 2022

Meet the Scottsdale Public Art Team: Gina

Gina Amato is the lead preparator for Scottsdale Public Art. Get to know Gina through the Q&A below.

Gina Amato, lead preparator for Scottsdale Public Art, crates artwork for shipping.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

Working as a preparator for the better part of a decade now has allowed me to explore so many different museums, galleries, artist studios, and homes all over the Valley. I’m super passionate about supporting art and artists by making sure all art in my care is properly displayed and maintained; it truly makes all the difference.

What duties does the Scottsdale Public Art lead preparator have?

I work closely with the Scottsdale Public Art collection, making sure all the artworks are being properly maintained so people can enjoy them for years to come. I also build and install exhibitions, hang art in municipal offices, and help lead the installation of Canal Convergence.

Gina Amato Installs ceiling panels for Today’s Norms are Tomorrow’s Luxuries by Luis Alfonso Villalobos at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) in 2018.

What does public art mean to you?

I have always been drawn to the accessibility of public art. Coming from a very museum-focused background, that is a word that gets thrown around a lot but sometimes not executed in the best way. Public art is the truest form in that everyone in the community can come together and enjoy it regardless of how much money is in their pocket or what time of day they can get out of the house.

How did you get into the field of public art, and what led you to this career?

I went to Arizona State University for museum studies, got an internship at the Tempe History Museum, and completely fell in love with the museum field. I have been fortunate enough to work with almost every institution in the Valley (including with Scottsdale Public Art on Canal Convergence in the past as an overhire). I’ve tried out almost every department and fell in love with the dynamic nature of being a preparator. Every day is different! (Plus I get to touch the art.)

Gina Amato participates in the Level It workshop at SMoCA in 2019. Photo: Claire A. Warden.

What do you do in your free time or outside of work?

I love traveling around the world to experience other cultures (often through art and food) and am an advocate for the Arizona music scene. We have some amazing artistry of all mediums right here in our backyard, and I am so thrilled and honored to be a part of it.


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