Someone 2 Know: Nevada Museum of Art Docent

The 60,000 square foot Nevada Museum of Art is home to an average of 30 highly sought after exhibits a year. And so, you can imagine, it takes many volunteers to keep it up and running. See why one of the museum's loyal docents does it in tonight's Someone 2 Know.

"I want you to open your minds. I want you to think, hmm? I wonder what they used to make this art?"

"Go cart tires? Anybody else? Remember there are no wrong answers today at the museum."

Just one reason Susan is fond of the Nevada Museum of Art - the ability to interpret an exhibit in a variety of ways.

And her role is to help these young minds engage with, delve into and appreciate artwork.

Susan started volunteering with the museum nearly a decade ago. She's one of its 30 docents.

"Which means I take children through and I do different art projects with them."

"I became a docent and volunteer because I felt it was time to give back to the community. I'm a retired school teacher from Washoe County."

And has long believed in the value of exposing kids to art.

"They get really excited and that's part of the philosophy of the museum is to open it up to everyone." Including visitors who are blind, who have special needs... Susan even leads bilingual tours.

She finds satisfaction watching students process these pieces. Because she, too, remains curious about much of the work. And only since she started volunteering has her appreciation for ambiguity grown. "In the beginning I would see some of the contemporary pieces and really think what?! That wasn't something I was interested in and then once you start experiencing it, it opens up my world."

Plus, there's no better way to explore than to get up close. Which is why she also works on installations with incredible caution. "We pack it very carefully. We have to use special gloves."

Susan volunteers upwards of 100 hours a month. But through every exhibit and lesson she leads, she, too, walks away with greater perspective.

And for this longtime teacher - lifelong learning is just as valuable as the artwork surrounding her.

"The museum gives back to me more than I give to the museum."

Right now all galleries at the Nevada Museum of Art are closed until August 22 - to install the upcoming museum-wide exhibition called - "Tahoe: A Visual History.