Blog week #1
What did you learn from your first week at your internship? Did anything surprise you? Who did you meet and what do they do? Did you engage in any code switching?
From my first week at Redline, I learned patience. I didn’t really know what to expect going into an art gallery. But after being and learning from the community there, it is obvious that the many tasks that go into changing and installing exhibitions require patience. The gallery goes under total reconstruction when new exhibits are installed, walls are painted, rearranged and all of the small details that I did not notice before taking a lot of time and dedication from the staff at Redline.
I was genuinely surprised how laid back the atmosphere at Redline was. Redline is a very laid back art space where people can go to create. Even in the situations where the old exhibits are torn down and new ones are put up the space, people, and environment are calm and collected, which is a refreshing thing to be around. I think I expected putting up exhibits to be a heck-tick mess where everyone would be running around setting things up, but the way they handle exhibits at Redline is very calm and professional.
I met with my sponsor Robin Gallite, and my secondary sponsor Louise Martorano, whom actually might turn into my primary sponsor. Louise is the executive director and is in charge of all of the non-profit aspects of the art center. And Robin is the program director who oversees the more social aspect and programs at Redline. I also got the pleasure to meet some of the resident artists. For me, that was the highlight of my first few weeks because I got to connect with the artists and see what amazing unique things they do. Redline is such an inspiring place to be, the artists all are very welcoming and are so amazing it was very enlighting to be around that kind of energy and talent.
When going into any new space, especially a professional one, one has to act more professional. And my first two days at Redline was more professional; but as I got to know the amazing staff and artists I could just be my silly old self. Redline brings out who I truly am in a way because it’s an art space, where art is the center of life, and everyone revolves around that notion.
Blog Week #2
What was the best thing that happened this week at your internship?
I think the best thing that happened to me this week was being able to meet and interact with so many artists, including my co-workers. They all were very nice and accepted me with open arms. I really enjoyed seeing where I would be interning for the next few months, and I was even given my own personal desk.
How did it make you feel?
Starting this internship has given me a new sense of responsibility that I didn’t have before. My first week made me feel like I had a higher sense of purpose and it overjoyed and excited me. Being a part of a galley like Redline is going to be a life-changing experience. I am very excited for what the future holds for me at Redline and I’m excited to see how the next few weeks go!
What else makes you excited about your internship?
I am excited to meet and interact with the resident artists. I don’t know that many artists that are older and this will be my chance to get to know some of them and hopefully learn from their experiences. One of my other favorite aspects of redline is that they are nonprofit and work a lot with the community. I’m am excited to be around an older crowd as I am an old soul myself. This internship is just the start of my journey in the arts and I couldn’t ask for a better place to start my journey.
Blog Week #3 –
How do your actions affect your workplace? Do you contribute positively? How do your co-worker’s actions affect your internship? Which co-workers are you connecting with?
Depending on the day and the task or role that I was given my effectiveness varies. All of the tasks I am given help out my sponsor and the functionality of the team at redline, but some help more than others. tasks like helping greet and welcome guests to our exhibit are more positive than doing inventory but all of the tasks are a contribution to the positivity at redline.
I think that I am a good person to have around. I am willing to do some of the harder tasks and I am good at getting them done in a timely and efficient manner. I am a positive individual and I think I bring some of the positivity to the table. I hope the team feels the same way.
The tasks that I am given depend on who needs help. Some of the tasks require more help than others. And the ones that require instruction are tasks that my co-workers positively affect me. If I am teamed up on a task it allows me to connect with other co-workers and allows me to get to know them on a more intimate level.
I think who I’m teamed up with on a task really determines who I connect with on a certain day. I think the times I’ve gotten to know a co-worker the best are when we are doing a task together. I got the pleasure of working with Djamilia at the front desk, who is the volunteer and services coordinator. And just recently I helped Ashley who is the membership and events manager with greeting guests at the door. I think overall I connect with Louise my sponsor because I am with her a lot and many of the tasks I am given are to help her.
Blog #4
What are you responsible for at your workplace?
It all depends on the day and the tasks that the Redline team needs extra help with. This week I helped review and print out resumes for an upcoming position. I would say I am responsible for whatever task they give me no matter how big or small. One week it could be taking inventory, the next it could be helping set up and greet people at an opening exhibition.
What do you think is your main contribution to your work site?
My main contribution to my work site I believe would be an extra hand whenever they need it and also as an artist myself I am able to help with the many diverse projects they give me. If they need anything drawn out or need help painting or relatively doing anything that involves art I am the one to ask.
What do your daily duties look like?
As I said before my daily duties depend on the day and the tasks that I am given. My first week helped email community members for an event, my later weeks I helped take down and set up for the exhibit, I printed out the wall decals for the artist in the show, and this week I printed resumes. Every day is different just like every task is different. my favorite task so far has been helping set up for new exhibits. The whole entire space at redline gets taken apart and reconstructed in a completely different way in just a week. Walls are painted and moved, features needed in an art piece are built, the art installed, and my favorite part is seeing the finished result and having all the artists come in before the exhibit opens to minge and admire each others work. I am so happy to be able to have been apart of this experience.
Blog #5
How do you feel like your internship is going so far?
I feel really good about my internship so far. I have been able to keep up with my hours and I feel like I’ve finally become apart of the workspace. I have some projects planned for the future and I’m really excited to start working on them.
What are the highlights and the lowlights?
The highlights of my internship are still revolved around our gallery exhibitions. I have the most amazing time when I’m able to help out setting up the space for a new show. Helping out the opening night is also a very good experience. I am able to work with new people and I get to make connections with people all over Denver; while not to mention looking at amazing, inspiring art. The lowlights would have to be the days when there isn’t much to do. Sometimes it gets slow and my sponsors and co-workers don’t have anything for me to do. those are the hardest days because being productive without any task is hard to do. Most days I find at least one thing to do but the days where there is noting are rough.
Do you feel like you are making connections with your co-workers?
I definitely think I am. it took a bit for my coworkers and myself to get used to having the other around and now I think I’ve gotten to a stage where I am a part of the team. Also having a lot of free time allows me to make connections with other co-workers as well as the resident artists.
What can you do to improve your experience?
I think just time. In a little bit, I will begin working on some of my projects including my internship inspired project and I believe that will make my experience more well rounded. I will be working with resident arts to make a blog like a thing, documenting who they are as an artist what they do and who they include in their journey. I am very excited and a little nervous to work with all the resident artists and learn about what their everyday life is like and how they use it to inspire others.
Blog #6
How do people at work treat you?
At my internship, I am treated very well. I am respected and my time is respected. The people I work with are always very nice to me. They treat me just like another part of the staff. They offer me things and try to include me in all that they can. I feel very welcomed while at redline.
How does it make you feel?
it makes me feel very honored and appreciative. I am very honored to be apart of the team at Redline. It is a wonderful place to intern. Having a staff that appreciates me and my time is also something a am grateful for. the staff is young and I get along with their energy. They are a very fun group of people to be around. I appreciate the fact that I have a place like Redline to go. I am comfortable in my internship and that is something I am very grateful for.
If you have an intern one day will you treat them the same?
Of course, I would. Being an intern myself has given me a whole new perspective on the position. I would show them my appreciate like the staff at redline has done for me. Unpaid internships are unique in that they are basically volunteering their time and energy to help someone or something. They are not getting paid to work. In a way, I think that’s what makes internships so unique. You are only there for the experience and I believe it makes one appreciate the experience more. If I ever get an intern I hope to show them as much generosity, kindness and appreciate as the staff at Redline has shown me.
What have you learned so far from your co-workers and sponsor?
I have learned how many people it takes to run a nonprofit like Redline. Every person on the staff has a specific job and that job is very important to the overall functionality of the gallery. Gallery to most people just seems like a gallery where there’s work hung up and its all very beautiful but people don’t know how much work goes in behind the scenes. There is a Program Manager, a Program Director, Developmental Director, a Business Manager, an Exhibition and Facility Manager, and more. These all are things I have learned from the staff at Redline. I am lucky that in a way I have two sponsors. And from my two sponsors, I have been able to learn about many different tasks and about their jobs in general. Robin my first sponsor is moving positions, but currently is the program director. She oversees the events that Redline as a whole is involved with. And Louise my other sponsor is the executive director and is the main face of Redline. As she spends a lot of time connecting with the community and other artists and really all people who want to work with Redline. They both do so much more but that is just a small just of what I have learned in my short time at Redline.
Blog #7
What is the difference between working on personal art projects and working in a creative business?
I think the main difference between the two is when doing personal art projects they are usually done individually whereas in a creative business one is working with a team of people to create something. I think the dynamics change when working on a team project in a creative business because each team member put in one piece of the puzzle and in order for things to work out people have to work together, Communicate, and have patience. I also think the motivations behind a personal project vs a team project are very different in that the project is not just based off one’s ideas but many ideas coming together.
What have you learned about working in a creative business?
I think the most important thing that I have learned through my internship is that teamwork and communication are essential to working in a creative business. Things can only get done when everyone is contributing equally. I think that working at Redline really has shown me that they really are a team. Each member of the staff at Redline has a title specific job that they take very seriously. The team wouldn’t work with a piece missing just like a puzzle isn’t complete without every piece. I am used to working individually and it really nice for a change, to see that in creative business no one is never alone. Redline is a family and I am very honored to have been able to be apart of it for as much time as I have.
Blog #8
How is your internship project going? Describe the progress of your Project. How did the conversation about your project go with your sponsor? Did they have any good insights into how to improve or expand the project? I have yet to start my internship project. I have been planning it for months but these last few months have been so stressful with applying to college and everything. I discussed with my sponsor that after November first when I was applied and able to breathe, is when I would start my project. I plan to start it tomorrow. I had an initial idea for my project but it is going to have to change a bit because another small project came up and it holds priority for my sponsor over my initial idea. I am going to create an interactive bulletin board, that’s purpose is to allow resident artists to stay connected and updated with each other and Redlines events. The project should only take a few days to create. My sponsors have had a few good insights but when I fully start my project I know they will have more.
I have yet to start my internship project. I have been planning it for months but these last few months have been so stressful with applying to college and everything. I discussed with my sponsor that after November first when I was applied and able to breathe, is when I would start my project. I plan to start it tomorrow. I had an initial idea for my project but it is going to have to change a bit because another small project came up and it holds priority for my sponsor over my initial idea. I am going to create an interactive bulletin board, that’s purpose is to allow resident artists to stay connected and updated with each other and Redlines events. The project should only take a few days to create. My sponsors have had a few good insights but when I fully start my project I know they will have more.
How does your project bridge what you do at your internship and what you like to create for yourself?
My project bridges what I do at my internship to my creative interests because both projects, the bulletin board and my blog project are hands-on and involve the resident artists, which is part of what interests me most at Redline.
Has your relationship with your sponsor evolved as you have engaged in a creative dialogue about your project? Are there any challenges you are experiencing planning or doing for your project?
Engaging with my sponsor about my project has given us more time to bond. It has given us more time to chat and has allowed them to get to know my artistic side. This is the first project that allows me to indulge in everything my internship has to offer and has allowed, more quality time with my sponsors and the staff in general.
Blog #9
What have you seen or experienced in your internship that has inspired you the most on your own artistic journey?
I think that interacting with the resident artists has been the most inspiring experience at my internship, because the resident artists are real artists who are in the real world, that have been able to stay devoted to their art and make a career out of it. Molly Bounds, in particular, has inspired me. I have gotten close to her over the course of my internship and she not only is an amazing artist but an amazing person as well. Through her art, she has tried to make a difference for people in her community. She is driven by her ability to see and want change for the less fortunate and art is apart of that change. Molly has been the bridge that has shown me that genuine people like her exist. Genuine artists who have pursued their art and have not let society tell them differently.
Has this experience changed your artistic ambitions? How?
Yes, I think becoming friends and getting to know Molly has shifted my artistic ambitions. Molly does a lot for the community and learning how she sees her self and her art has made me determined to find a way to have my art make a difference to someone, to a community. Art is one of the best ways to bring up and express issues that society doesn’t want to deal with and I think that’s what makes it so beautiful. Art has the ability to enforce change and I want my art to be apart of that journey.
Blog #10
Has this experience been a rewarding one for you? Why or Why not? How has the reality of your internship matched or contrasted with your expectations What is the most important learning you did during your internship?
Yes, this experience has been very rewarding for me. This internship was really my first introduction to art in the real world; outside of high school. It has allowed me to make connections with other artists and professionals. And those relationships im certain will last. Not only was having an extracurricular activity exciting but it got me out of high school and into the world that im interested in, art. My time at RedLine has allowed me to see how galleries are set up, how involved a non-profit is in the community and how much RedLine contributes to Denver’s culture.
How has the reality of your internship matched or contrasted with your expectations?What is the most important learning you did during your internship?
I think that overall my internship has been what I hoped it would be, and nothing less. It was a learning experience to see the dynamics of being an intern. But after I got used to how I fit into RedLine; it was an even better experience than I expected. I wanted to connect with other artists and I have done that and have even grown close to a few. I wanted to be involved in their events and I have had the opportunity multiple times to do so.
What is the most important learning you did during your internship?
I think the most important learning experience for myself has been understanding how much time and dedication it takes to be a functioning gallery. RedLine is even more than that they are a non-profit, a community art center, etc. Before this internship, I didn’t know the behind the scenes of a gallery and I didn’t know or appreciate the time it takes to install a new exhibit. Now I know and I will forever appreciate the gallery that I attend with more sincerity.