[Five questions to SFMOMA artists, staff, or guests. Aimee Shapiro is currently the education associate for school and teacher programs, but she will be leaving soon — after five years at SFMOMA — to pursue her art practice. Among many other things, Aimee was responsible for the teen mural project in DeFremery Park a few years ago, which she documented here. All of us here in the Education Department are especially sad to see her go, but so happy to wish her well in her next endeavor.]

Aimee Shapiro in her office at SFMOMA

Do you collect anything?

I collect small toys, the kind that you would find in a gumball machine. I probably have several hundred around my house. I also collect dogs. Real dogs.

There’s the generic interview question that goes, “If you could invite anyone to dinner, who would it be?” What I want to know is, what would you serve?

I would invite Philip Guston to dinner, to talk about the apocalypse, and I would serve wine and cigarettes. He’s so apocalyptic, yet it’s like apocalypse hand-in-hand with cartoonish illustrations. Lighthearted hell.

What do you listen to while you work?

I listen to the movies that play in the Koret Visitor Education Center over and over and over again.

What’s your favorite tool?

I have two favorite tools. One is a pencil, and not just to draw with. I like how it feels to write with a pencil as opposed to writing with a pen. And you can do almost anything with an electric drill; you can take over the world.

What should I ask you?

You should have asked me what I’m eating. The most delicious chicken udon soup.