Ray, a senior in design, has taken her passion for art beyond the boundaries of the classroom and studio. Having been an intern for Raleigh artists and working for the North Carolina Museum of Art, Ray tells the Technician’s Ellen Scott what it is like to extend education beyond campus and how she was involved in downtown arts and events such as First Friday. First Friday is a self guided tour of downtown art galleries on the first Friday of every month.

What prompted your interest in the arts? How did it continue throughout your childhood and teenage years prior to entering college?

“I started taking art classes when I was young. My favorite things we did in elementary school were the art projects. My real interest in the arts was sparked in fifth grade when my teacher taught us how to develop photos in a dark room. In middle school, I took an art class each year and during the summer I would take art classes offered at places like ArtsTogether or Art Space in Raleigh. I also took an art class every year in high school including AP Art History which sparked my interest in art history.”

Have you had any internships and what did you do for them?

“In high school, I was an intern for the artists Linda Ruth Dickinson, Catherine Thornton, and Eric McRay.  For the most part I would help the artists prep their work, canvases, clay, paints and brushes, as well as work at venues where their art was displayed, communicate with galleries where their work was shown and work First Friday’s.  I had another internship through ArtSource Gallery in North Hills during which I learned a lot about what goes into running an art gallery.  My duties there included re-hanging the gallery, wiring/rewiring pieces, doing inventory, artwork storage and organization. Working during some exhibitions the gallery sponsored I got to meet artist James Kerr and jeweler Luigi Bellini.  Those were my favorite exhibitions.”

How did you come to work for the Museum of Art? What kind of work

do you do there?

“I found my job at the North Carolina Museum of Art through an ad on Craigslist. I work in the gift shop. It’s not the most epic of jobs, but it’s at least a foot in the door to some possible better opportunities and jobs at the museum.”

What do you want to do once you graduate?

“I’m not quite sure of what I am planning on doing upon graduation. I have been thinking about going to graduate school, if so, I am not sure where. I have also been thinking about getting a job either at a gallery or continuing my job at the museum.”

What did you do during First Friday’s?

“During First Friday’s, I would stay in the artist’s studios and greet customers, talk to them about the artwork, the artist and his or her work and career, etc. It was an excellent opportunity for me to become acclimated to the advertising side of being an artist, running a studio or gallery. Overall, First Friday’s are a very fun and interesting way to find ones artistic side because of the different elements of the arts that you’re subject to such as live music, artwork and awesome food throughout downtown.”