Alesha Martinez is the New Museum Services Specialist 


How long have you been working in museums? What inspired you to pursue a career in the field?

  1. I have always been deeply passionate about the arts, history, culture, and education. Museum work is the perfect intersection of these interests. Over the past 25 years, I have worked in and with many museums and art galleries, however I started off in the field as frontline volunteer at the de Young Museum in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park while I was an Art History undergraduate student at UC Davis. I spent many weeks driving to and from the de Young simply take attendance in galleries or manage the coat check closet because I was so enthralled by the museum, and its work with artists and the community. It was then I knew I was destined for a career working in museums.

Over the years, I’ve gained experience at an array of organizations – ranging from small community-based non-profits (like Arts Benicia) to major museums (like the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco). I’ve also spent many years working for public organizations, like Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek and now the Maidu Museum & Historic Site. Like many in the field, I’ve taken on numerous roles over my tenure, including exhibition and programs coordinator, registrar, marketing manager, volunteer and tour coordinator, and more. I’ve also worked as an independent museum consultant and managed many nationally and internationally traveling exhibitions to museums like the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in Alabama, the Field Museum in Chicago, the Ministry of Culture in Monaco, the Johannesburg Art Gallery in South Africa – even the United Nations in New York and the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta (did you know they have museums?). I’ve always enjoyed the dynamic nature of museum work – it is everchanging and always exciting – and I find immense satisfaction in serving and learning from diverse artist communities.  

What drew you to the Maidu Museum & Historic Site?

  1. I was familiar with MMHS because I happen to live in the neighborhood and have visited several times since relocating to the area. The annual Native Craft Fair has always been a favorite event to attend every November! It’s quite an honor to live near a culturally significant site. As a museum professional, I carry with me a deep sense of responsibility to care for and protect the site and museum, so when the opportunity arose to work at MMHS I jumped at the opportunity.

I had also recently launched a traveling exhibition by artist and curator Danielle SeeWalker (Húŋkpapȟa Lakota) and was inspired by her exhibition’s mission to highlight the positive aspects of Indigenous communities throughout Native America. My work then was to amplify Native voices and highlight communities so they may share their stories with others, and I see my role at MMHS as a continuation of that mission. My professional goals have always been to support artist communities. When they succeed in telling their truths, histories, and showcasing their skills, my organization fulfills its mission to educate and inspire the public. 

Do you have a favorite event or program put on by the City of Roseville or the museum, specifically? 

  1. I love MMHS’s annual Native Craft Fair every November, but am greatly looking forward to this year’s Yomen: A Spring Celebration event on Saturday April 26, 2025, from 10-3pm. The event traditionally celebrates the coming of spring, a welcome time of new growth, and the guarantee of fresh foods and warmer weather. The cultural event features Native American dancers, performers and cultural demonstrators who showcase their exquisite skills working with natural materials to create baskets, jewelry, tools and more! The local Native artist community will also have contemporary artwork on view in the museum, and crafts and other goods will be sold by Native artisans throughout the day. Native-inspired art and game stations for children and guided tours of the museum and site will also be available, including tours of the site’s famous ancient petroglyphs and acorn mortar holes. Elders from surrounding Native communities will also be honored in ceremony for their cherished contributions throughout time. It’s a pretty special event- and it’s free to the public! If you’d like to help with this event as a volunteer or as a sponsor, or would like more info, please visit our website: www.roseville.ca.us/museum