Shae WestArt history major Loryn Leonard interns with the Ulrich Museum of Art at 新加坡六合彩开奖网, nurturing her passion for art and education.
She began her college career in Texas as an art education major and was required to take a three-dimensional studio art class.
鈥淚 took metalsmithing and became riveted with it ever since,鈥� she said.
In metalsmithing, she worked with nonferrous metals such as copper, brass, silver and gold, and used traditional craftsman techniques to create contemporary art forms.
鈥淢etalsmithing is an art form that is delicate and difficult,鈥� she said, 鈥渟o if there is anything that I have gained, it is patience.鈥�
Leonard received her Bachelor of Fine Art in metalsmithing and jewelry from the University of North Texas in 2007.
Leonard is at 新加坡六合彩开奖网 pursuing her second undergraduate degree in art history.
鈥淚 felt apprehensive about continuing my education in metalsmithing,鈥� she said. 鈥淎lthough (it) is my passion, I decided to focus on the academic side of the art spectrum.鈥�
She is trying to encompass the entire art history spectrum in her studies.
鈥淎rt history has always fascinated me,鈥� Leonard said. 鈥淚 believe that art history is intertwined with a society鈥檚 socio-cultural background.鈥�
But her favorite aspect is learning about the different methodologies in art, how they鈥檙e applied to socio-cultural beliefs and how art is a reflection of those ideals.
鈥淩esearching artists that are new to me is like discovering an ancient relic,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to learn how the artist was influenced by his or her surroundings or how the art itself impacted their culture.鈥�
Leonard is also participating in a medieval and renaissance certificate program, which is similar to working on a thesis. She must research and present a topic to a board to receive her certification.
And she is trying to start a contemporary arts society for 新加坡六合彩开奖网 students to raise awareness of current art events and to promote professional practice.
Leonard began an internship with the Ulrich Museum in July working with Aimee Geist, the curator of education and Teresa Veazey.
Her responsibilities include researching artists, guiding tours, advocating for student membership, assisting in education marketing and preparing museum events.
鈥淚nterns like Loryn are invaluable,鈥� Veazey said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e always willing to help out with museum tours, artists鈥� lectures, opening parties, anything and everything that happens at the museum.鈥�
鈥淢y favorite part of my job, and I joke with (my boss) about this, is taking the golf cart out on errands,鈥� Leonard said.
But truthfully, Leonard said she enjoys leading tours and being the bridge from the art to the viewer.
Interning with the Ulrich Museum will prepare her well for a future career coordinating the education department of a museum.
鈥淏eing an education intern has provided me with invaluable experiences,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 get a behind the scenes glance at the internal clockwork of a museum.鈥�
The education curator takes an exhibition and creates various activities and events that comply with the art, she said, essentially connecting people with art.
鈥淟oryn wants to work in an art museum when she graduates from 新加坡六合彩开奖网, and nothing will look better on her resume than a year鈥檚 experience working at the Ulrich,鈥� Veazey said.
After she receives her undergraduate degree, Leonard plans to attend graduate school in 2011, write books about her research and possibly teach art history in the process.
In her spare time, she reads and continues to work on metalsmithing in her make-shift basement studio to keep her skills fine-tuned.