Playing Favorites: Michele Andrews and Kirsty Mitchell

Taking advantage of our rotating exhibits, FWMoA staff from all departments are interacting with captivating art. With galleries full of glass, paintings, bronzes, and more, we’ve posed the challenging question, “What’s your favorite artwork currently on display?”

A smiling, grey haired white woman with blue and brown glasses, gold earrings, and an orange shirt.
Michele Andrews, FWMoA Security Guard. Image courtesy of FWMoA.

As a member of the Security Team, Michele Andrews might be the friendly face who greets you when you visit FWMoA! Michele shares about her current favorite work by Kirsty Mitchell, The Queen’s Centurion.

A woman framed by an oval of tree roots and purple peonies and roses. The dark background is a strong contrast for the colorful flowers and the woman's silver headpiece and dress. She is holding several large skeleton keys, and the surrounding roots and flowers have over a dozen keys hanging from them. Her clothes and headpiece are wide, floral lace, with her hair and extremely long nails colored purple to match the flowers.

Q: What is the first thing you noticed about this artwork? What drew you to this particular piece?

A: First of all, let me say that Kirsty Mitchell is my favorite photographer! Ergo, picking just one of her works of art as my favorite is difficult to do. Her photographs are theatrical productions: Hair, makeup, costumes, set design, atmosphere, and timing the lighting so that everything is just right. I’ve chosen The Queen’s Centurion because I have always liked old skeleton keys. The Queen and the keys are so ethereal and magical. It’s as if together they are going to open a door to something magical.

Q: Would you display this artwork in your home? Why or why not?

A: Yes! Every home needs a work of art that is a gateway to somewhere magical.

Q: What does this artwork mean to you?

A: It is a breath of fresh air in a momentary escape.

A detail shot of the overall image. The flowers are crowding in from the edges, surrounding the woman's hands and torso. Close up, we see that her dress has pages with calligraphy built into it. Her nails look like layered pink, purple, and white sea shells, and she is holding three keys looped around different fingers with the largest key held in the middle of the image. The key in the center of the image is surrounded by a frame coming forward from the woman's torso. The key's handle has an image of a woman with wings.

Q: Why did you choose to work in an art museum?

A: Art museums are essential for the human race to keep our heads above water. I like doing my little part to ensure the expression of creativity thrives in downtown Fort Wayne.

Q: What has been your favorite exhibition at FWMoA during your employment? What exhibition are you most looking forward to in the next year or two?

A: The Spellbound Spirit: Photographs by Kirsty Mitchell. I’m looking forward to the Scholastics Exhibit, which will be open by the time you read this.


To see Michele’s current favorite work, along with other inspiring photographs, visit the FWMoA to see Kirsty Mitchell’s work in person! Spellbound Spirit: Photographs by Kirsty Mitchell is on display through April 26, 2026.

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