It is a pleasure to feature an esteemed employee and valued member of The Bryan Museum family this week, Museum Gift Shop Manager, Jana Sheffield Garcia. Jana is a welcoming and knowledgeable presence in the shop and adds just the right amount of sparkle and fun to your gift shop experience. She has a talent for choosing inventory that has a meaningful connection to the fascinating history we present in the Museum, and at the same time offers something appealing for everyone. The icing on the cake?  Jana is a gifted jewelry maker and some of the most beautiful pieces in our shop are the ones she handcrafted. 

Jana has a Bachelor of Science degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. She retired from Port Neches-Groves High School in 2017 where she taught health and coached track and cross country for 30 years. Jana is a cancer survivor of 10 years and empathetic to those who are going through a similar experience. She started making jewelry in 2012 when healing from cancer and decided to open her own business called Jana’s Jewels.  Jana designs and makes jewelry and sells it at The Bryan Museum, Antique Pavilion, and the Peanut Butter Warehouse in Galveston.  Jana states that, “Managing The Bryan Museum Gift Shop has been a real learning experience for me, but so rewarding too.” She is married, the mother of 3, and grandmother of 8 awesome grandkids.

Janet claims, “One of the things I love about working at the Museum is meeting new people from all over the world and getting to visit with them on a personal level, plus I get to bring my dog to work with me!”  We hope you take some time to stop by our Gift Shop to enjoy a warm welcome from Jana and her dog, Chia Maria Garcia, and to peruse the array of wonderful and unique items available there.