Though Lorena Bradford may not be widely recognized, her contributions certainly warrant attention. As the inaugural head of Accessible Programs at the National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Washington, DC, Bradford initiated monthly American Sign Language tours, developed a program for individuals with memory challenges, and involved medical students to enhance their caregiving through soft skills.
“I was a sub-department of one,” she humorously remarked to writer Emma Cieslik during their Zoom conversation and in-person meeting at the NGA. The discussion covered her unconventional journey into museum accessibility and anticipated developments in the field, despite setbacks from the Trump administration, Bradford remains optimistic.
Additionally, today’s insights include a mini fashion segment where Eileen Isagon Skyers delves into the 18th-century fashion of Thomas Gainsborough, reminiscent of ‘Pride and Prejudice’. In another feature, Associate Editor Lakshmi Rivera Amin explores the political significance of fashion through the history of the sari in New York City.
Lisa Yin Zhang, associate editor
