Meet Our Thai Food-Fiending, Teleporting, Marcel Duchamp-Loving Interns
It’s summer at Arlington Arts Center and with that comes a crop of awesome new interns. These guys and gals are doing it all — making summer classes run smoothly; installing new exhibitions; and making us look and sound spiffy on the communications front.
So we want to introduce you to these hard-working AAC devotees — meet Edmond, Hallie, Ned, Paul, and Shelley.
Edmond Gniewek
If you could have dinner with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be? And why?
I would have dinner with Roy Lichtenstein. When I was growing up, pop art was my favorite style and still is to this day. Lichtenstein is my favorite of the pop artists. I love his oversized works and the way he makes mundane things beautiful and interesting.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one food, what would it be?
It would probably have to be either chicken or beef. I love to make different meat dishes and while I could probably catch fish and shellfish on the island, cows and chickens would be hard to come by!
What first drew you to the arts?
When I was in preschool, I used to try and copy the way my favorite dinosaurs looked from my books. Ever since then I’ve spent a lot of my time involved with art and making art, I went to VCU from 2009-2013 for a BFA, continuing my passion for the arts!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
This is a tough question, there are so many superpowers out there, but if I had to narrow it down to one I would want to be able to fly. No need for a car anymore and a great activity to do on boring days!!
- Ned (left) and Paul (right) deconstructing an art installation by Martha Jackson Jarvis on the AAC front lawn
Ned Riley
If you could have dinner with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be? And why?
It sounds cliche, but I would choose Leonardo da Vinci. I am fascinated with how his mind worked, how he intensely and obsessively explored the world around him.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one food, what would it be?
Thai food.
What first drew you to the arts?
My mother was an art history major and worked in a few museums after graduating, so I grew up surrounded by all her massive art history books. I remember spending innumerable hours as a child pouring over these books, in awe of the old masters, engrossed by the impressionists and pre-raphaelites, and pleasantly befuddled by the abstract expressionists.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Immortality, because there is far too much to experience and learn out there in just one lifetime.
Shelley O’Conor
- Shelley enjoying Hershey Park
If you could have dinner with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be? And why?
I would dine with Marcel Duchamp and hope he would invite several of his artist friends to join us. I’ve read that he was quite charming and smart, so I would love to have him explain his definition of art and hear his life stories.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one food, what would it be?
I would choose ice cream! It’s my favorite food.
What first drew you to the arts?
I always loved doing arts and crafts as a kid, so seeing what others can create is really fascinating.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation!
Hallie Schmidt
If you could have dinner with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be? And why?
Oh definitely Hieronymus Bosch, hands down. I mean, that guy was insane. I just want to get a glimpse of what went on inside of his head…he is a fascinating mystery.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one food, what would it be?
Pizza, of course.
What first drew you to the arts?
It was probably when my 9th grade fundamentals art teacher scoffed at my still life of a cup and told me to start over. Instead of crying and giving up like I desperately wanted to, I made it a challenge. From then on, I worked more diligently in that class than in any other course. It was some kind of an obsessive drive that I had never experienced. Who tells their student to start over? I mean, come on. As much as I hated that teacher in that moment (and I still kind of hate her for that), I am incredibly grateful for the slap in the face. In high school, it was a stress reliever and remained simply a hobby. When I took my first figure drawing class in college, one day as I was on the verge of tears trying to STOP drawing disproportionate bodies (giant heads with short bodies), my professor told me that my style is strange enough to go somewhere and that I should pursue my work. A week later, I changed my major to fine arts and began a pretty wild journey.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Apparition!! To the Vatican or the Swiss Alps for a day and back in time for dinner.
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Paul’s office selfie - Paul’s office selfie
If you could have dinner with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be? And why?
I would love to have dinner with Andy Warhol or Marcel Duchamp, specifically because these artists made iconic work that many refused to accept as art. These guys changed the definitions of what art can be.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one food, what would it be?
Any type of granola.
What first drew you to the arts?
Drawing superheroes as a young child. I recognized I have a skill and wanted to practice and build that skill stronger.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would choose to have the ability to fly.
