I have had the honor of witnessing the growth of this young woman in the art world for about seven years. Maria was one of the first students to hang her work in my then brand new gallery at the Hungerford building. Maria is smart, sensitive and one of the most gentle souls I have ever known. Like most of us, art has been a journey for her. Sometimes incredibly vulnerable, but also an opportunity for great pride.
Now in her sophomore year of college, Maria is joining us for a few weeks as a treasured intern. She will do some of the PR, some of the planning for the year and hopefully gain some experience in running a small art gallery. I am thrilled and honored to introduce her to you!
Maria has a few words to share with you too!
Hello everyone! I am so excited to spend my winter break interning here at Create Art 4 Good. I first came across this wonderful little gallery about five years ago when I was a freshman in high school. I was in studio art when my teacher informed me that a piece I had made earlier in the year was selected to be shown in a gallery. I was so excited. On opening night I remember staring at my closet trying to figure out what to wear; I wanted to come across as “adult” and “edgy”. (Looking back at that outfit I think I missed the mark stumbling in my high heels and ripped jeans.) When we arrived at Create Art 4 Good that night, I remember being amazed that a building like the Hungerford existed and that I had never heard of it before. I also remember the feeling of pride when I saw my artwork hanging on the wall. It was the first time I felt like I could truly call myself an artist.
That night opened me up to be more serious about the artwork I created. It also showed me how much the art community in Rochester has to offer. Throughout high school, I continued to explore different forms of art at school and in my free time. I remember first Fridays with my family and taking classes at the Brainery with my sister. All of it made me fall more in love with art. And then Senior year came and I was asked “where do you want to go to school?” and “what do you want to major in?” Suddenly everything felt to real. I was scared to tell people that I didn’t know. I was even more scared to say I liked art. As much as I love that world, I didn’t want to be an artist where it is hard to get recognition and even harder to get paid for it.
I ended up going undeclared to the University of New Hampshire. For most of freshman year I explored different classes trying to figure out what interested me. Once again, I found myself taking art classes but the one course that really stuck out to me was art history. I was still too scared to declare a major though. In the end, I was forced to when I signed up for a study away program in Boston. I had all my paperwork processed and had been accepted into the program but the university hadn’t given me the okay yet because I was undeclared. At the very last moment, I declared art history.
During my time in Boston, I have been reassured of this decision over and over again. I have explored so many art museums and have met so many great artists. It was because of the program I was in that led to me reaching out to Mrs. Carmen-Duffy for an internship at the gallery that first set me on this journey.
Maria Rollinson