Emma Fisher, The Fridge

How did you land this job?
"I started working in the arts industry about five years ago at CulturalDC. They took a chance on me. I’m grateful for it; I had great teachers there. In late 2011, I worked with Merin Guthrie on an art installation with dismembered mannequins wearing out-there styles to push the conversation on conservative fashion choices in D.C. The Fridge gallery director Alex Goldstein saw it and knew of my work with CulturalDC; when he started a search for a new assistant gallery director, he scooped me up for the job."

What's your favorite part of working in an art gallery?
"My favorite thing about The Fridge is learning about our primary focus — graffiti and street art. Relative to other art forms, graffiti and street art are in such a young stage right now, some people don’t even accept that it's art. The possibilities of where the artists can take this form are endless right now. There isn’t the same struggle to do what hasn’t been done like with other artists...there’s no need for an existential Duchamp moment, no 'Ceci n'est pas une pipe.' I’m always learning here. Everyone at The Fridge, all the artists and friends, have taken me under their wing. If you approach someone with humility and curiosity, they’ll help you.

What would people be surprised to know?
"I often hear, 'You have a fun job.' This is a business — I’m knee-deep in spreadsheets, I’m implementing accounting systems. I’m not living a bohemian lifestyle. I’m fielding 100 emails, bringing in cash, making connections."

Sweet Rain blazer, Bill Blass shirt, I.N.C. Concepts pants, Nine West high tops.