Brown University Student Benefits from Internship at Franklin Street Gallery

Internships offer unique and valuable hands-on learning opportunities to students preparing for a career. They allow for a partnership among the interning student, the educational institution, and organizations in the community to build relationships that can benefit all three players.

In June 2011, Brown University Junior and Burdett native, Grace Dalrymple, joined the Franklin Street Gallery and Gift Shop for a six week summer internship.

Grace, a Visual Arts major at Brown University in Rhode Island, was seeking an employment or internship opportunity in the arts field for the summer. During a spring break, Grace visited the Franklin Street Gallery and inquired about opportunities.

In addition to applying at the gallery for an internship, Grace applied for the Brown Internship Award Program, a financial assistance program offered to Brown University students pursing career-related summer internships. She was granted the award and through this program, Grace was able to receive income while benefitting from an internship experience in the art field.

Under the tutelage of Arts Coordinator, Cynthia Hill, Grace learned all about managing an art gallery. Some days she was solely responsible for opening, operating, and closing the gallery. This entailed customer service, building relationships with artists, and assisting with administrative tasks, such as inventorying items. Grace was also helped with the gallery’s exhibits and events.

“Cynthia taught me how to approach customers and talk to them about the art,” Grace said. “I also learned how to set up an exhibit, how and where to hang and display work, and how to make decisions about what work should come off the floor or be brought out.”

According to Grace, Cynthia wasn’t her only teacher. “I appreciated the people the most - being able to learn from the visitors and the artists who came into the gallery by talking with them,” Grace said. “I got the chance to talk to artists like Bob Gillespie and Steve Cooper and find out how they’ve become successful.”

Grace also made contributions to the gallery through special projects like creating a biography book of the gallery’s exhibiting artists, which is now available to visitors.

“Grace absorbed a lot of knowledge in a brief time here,” Arts Coordinator, Cynthia Hill said. “She provided great assistance and helped us get started on some projects that have certainly helped enhance the gallery.”

Although Grace’s internship ended in August, she continues to implement the knowledge she acquired through her experiences at the Franklin Street Gallery. She continues to be involved in the arts through projects with Providence Elementary Schools in her college community.

After completing her education at Brown in 2013, she plans to explore opportunities as an art schoolteacher or at a non-profit organization. Grace will spend her spring semester in Europe studying art history.

“Even at home, I found myself visiting other galleries and noticing the details of how work was set up and how artists were promoting themselves,” Grace said. The skills of observation that Grace acquired through her internship will surely serve her well in her travels.

The Franklin Street Gallery and Gift Shop is a community arts center in Watkins Glen involving its community in art education and advancement though classes, exhibits, and events. The gallery is operated by The Arc of Schuyler is a non-profit organization that provides supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism. The Arc offers various internship opportunities; find out more by calling The Arc’s Human Resources Department at 607-535-6934.