Alexandra Nasharr blends fine arts and museum studies at Osceola History

Alexandra Nasharr, Curator and Collections Specialist with the Osceola County Historical Society, is being recognized for her work preserving Central Florida history through collections, exhibitions, and community education. Her path from fine arts to museum studies shows how museums can connect local stories with broader public engagement.

Why it matters: - Alexandra Nasharr’s work helps preserve Central Florida history for public access, education, and long-term collection care. - Her career reflects a broader museum-field shift toward community-centered interpretation and more accessible storytelling. - Her profile also highlights the value of transferable skills in museums, from visual presentation to research and public programming.

What happened: - Alexandra Nasharr serves as Curator and Collections Specialist with the Osceola County Historical Society in Kissimmee, Florida. - She has spent two years with Osceola History managing collections, developing exhibitions, and supporting public-facing interpretation. - The recognition profile was published July 22, 2026. - Her professional profile is available through her Influential Women page.

The details: - Nasharr earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2012. - She spent seven years working in commercial and nonprofit art galleries in Chicago. - Her gallery experience included exhibition preparation, visitor engagement, visual presentation, and interpretation of artwork. - After the COVID-19 pandemic, Nasharr returned to school for a master’s degree in museum studies at Western Illinois University in Moline, Illinois. - She worked as a graduate assistant for two years during her graduate studies. - At Osceola History, Nasharr manages a collection spanning the mid-1800s through the 1930s. - The collection includes Seminole artifacts, historic photographs, family documents, agricultural tools, and other materials tied to Central Florida communities. - Her responsibilities include curating exhibitions, writing blogs and editorials, giving presentations to libraries and community organizations, and overseeing interpretive work at Pioneer Village. - Pioneer Village includes preserved historic structures that give visitors a direct look at the region’s past. - Nasharr also works with a small archival team to turn research into public programs and exhibits. - One of her notable projects was the sports exhibition “Out of the Park: Osceola County Sports.” - The exhibit covered youth and high school athletics as well as professional organizations such as the Astros.

Between the lines: - Nasharr’s path shows how a fine arts background can strengthen museum work by improving material interpretation and visual storytelling. - Her focus on objects as carriers of history reflects a curatorial approach that tries to make local history feel personal and approachable. - Her emphasis on schoolchildren, veterans, families, and community members suggests museums are competing not just for attendance, but for relevance. - Her interest in local arts and preservation groups points to a museum career grounded in civic relationships, not just collections management. - Her mentor, Dr. Heidi Lung, reinforced a practical museum lesson: skills gained in one setting can transfer to another. - Nasharr also credits Angela McCallaghan and professional groups such as the Florida Alliance of Museums and the Iowa Museum Association for helping shape her growth.

What's next: - Nasharr wants to keep serving the field, including possible involvement with a local historic preservation board. - She continues to focus on collections care, exhibition development, and community education at Osceola History. - She encourages young women entering museums to identify what genuinely inspires them and to trust the value of their own experience.

The bottom line: - Alexandra Nasharr’s career shows how museums preserve history by combining scholarship, design, and community engagement.