Skip to main content
Winter at 701 CCA

During the winter break of 18-19, I interned at 701 CCA. 

Hannah Shepard, being the only paid employee and the director, is the mom and the dad of the art center. Everything 701 CCA related is her baby, and I am so glad I could be a part of the journey during the two too-short months. 

There were a few things going on during this time period. The gallery was closed to the public for a period of time so that we could all deinstall the exhibiting items and put the new ones in. That was my favorite time. It was a process that transforms a space from telling one story to another. Mood and emotions changed as the objects, and even lightings changed. 

I had my best afternoon here in the gallery during that time. 

It was the first week of the new semester, and I was scheduled from 11-2. The installation was about 80 percent finished. During the shift there was plenty of physical and mental labor-- moving, painting and hanging objects around to follow Janet's aesthetics. I am not an artistic person. When the shift was over I stayed in the gallery, while Janet retreated to her loft and Hannah to her office. 

I pulled a chair to the center of the gallery, at a spot where beams of sunlight sprinkle into the room through the window cover. I opened the book I have been reading throughout the break and situated my butt down. (It was Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential. RIP the legend) The room was wide and bright. There was just enough exhibiting items in there to fill the space yet to crowd it. I was sitting amongst Janet's works, which were telling the story from an era ago, reading. Gradually I felt blending into the space and time between the floor and ceiling and the two walls. I stood up, fetched my phone and started playing the how i met your mother playlist. My phone found home by my foot, and the book kept me from distracting it. 

Cue noise-- Tom the building manager was showing some people the venue. Perhaps another happily engaged couple... I know not. Chitchats, small talks, and laughters scatter around the building but ruthlessly blocked by the gallery walls and doors. My walls and doors! Muffed conversations came my way, but the space in between was too distanced to reach. I like it that way-- things are going on loud and about just a few feet away from me while the wall and space cushioned much of it. 

Hours went by and the last page was flipped. The exhibiting objects got their peace and quiet back. They were probably celebrating the exit of the intruder.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Summer at 701 CCA

701 Center for Contemporary Art has been working nonstop all summer to create a series of fun, interactive, and educational experiences when it comes to the art world. 701 CCA held a concert, an artist talk, two receptions and exhibitions, and, by the end of the summer, held six kids workshops. This internship truly has been such an eye-opening experience, and each of us has gained so much knowledge in several areas in the art world. I never will take for granted just strolling into a gallery now and seeing all the artwork, and not appreciate all the labor that goes into how the artwork just "appears" there. This summer has been quite a whirlwind, but working for a nonprofit art gallery has truly been rewarding. I really have enjoyed knowing I have played a role, even if it may be a small one, in someone else's enjoyment, education, and entertainment. I hope the pictures below give you a small insight into the behind the scenes of our internship so far this summer. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Meet Your Director

Hannah Shepard recently received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from Savannah College of Art and Design. She graduated magna cum laude from the College of Charleston, where she was a double major in Arts Administration and Studio Art with a minor in Art History. She has exhibited her work throughout Charleston and Atlanta, while also working as a store manager, assistant gallery director, and intern for museums and non-profit spaces. She currently holds the position of Executive Director at 701 Center for Contemporary Art.
Post a Comment
Read more

My Experience as an Intern at 701 CCA

I graduated with a BFA in printmaking from USC in 2013.  I've been out of college for a few years and I wasn't happy with my current job prospects.  After looking into master's programs in arts administration, I contacted Hannah, the director at 701 CCA, about volunteering in order to get some experience for my resume and a better idea of what I want to do.  When I met Hannah, she told me about the internship and encouraged me to apply. The internship at 701 has been a great experience.  I've been able to get firsthand experience in what goes on behind the scenes at a nonprofit arts organization.  The most interesting part was working with Janet Orselli to install her re:Visions exhibition.  It was exciting to see the gallery come together and to help with the opening reception at the end.  I've gotten to work on marketing, social media outreach, grant writing, gallery installation, and an event.  Not only has this significantly helped my resu...
Post a Comment
Read more