Joy Davis
About Joy Davis
Joy Davis serves as the Manager of Adult and Community Programs at The Walters Art Museum, focusing on African American and diasporic art. She directs the Waller Gallery, co-hosts the Unravel Podcast, and has a diverse background in art conservation and fashion history.
Current Role at The Walters Art Museum
Joy Davis serves as the Manager of Adult and Community Programs at The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. She has held this position since 2020, focusing on developing and managing programs that engage adult audiences and foster community involvement. Her role involves curating educational experiences that highlight the museum's collections and promote inclusivity in the arts.
Education and Academic Focus
Joy Davis has an extensive educational background in art and fashion history. She earned a Master's degree in Fashion History and Museum Studies from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she also studied Curatorial and Conservation Studies. Additionally, she holds two Bachelor's degrees in History, Media, and Communications from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Her academic focus includes African American and diasporic art, as well as colonial dress.
Previous Experience in Art and Culture
Prior to her current role, Joy Davis gained valuable experience in various positions within the art and culture sector. She worked as a Conservation Intern at the Hispanic Society of America in Harlem, NY, and served as a Volunteer Curatorial Assistant at the Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum in New York City. She also held roles at Thom Browne, Inc. as a Project Archivist and at Garde Robe Online as a Quality Control/Archivist.
Podcast Production and Scholarship
Joy Davis co-hosts and produces the Unravel Podcast, which explores themes in fashion history and culture. In addition to her podcast work, she engages in freelance scholarship, contributing to the academic discourse on art and fashion history. This combination of media production and scholarly engagement allows her to reach diverse audiences and promote discussions on important topics in the field.
Early Career and Community Engagement
Joy Davis began her career in community engagement and customer service roles, including working as a Barista at SPRO COFFEE and as a Sales Associate at Wet Seal Inc. She also served as a Librarian at Village Learning Place, where she contributed to community literacy and education initiatives. These early experiences laid the foundation for her commitment to community involvement in her subsequent roles in the arts.