Virginia is a fibers artist and student of art education at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she will graduate in winter 2023. She has been living in Boston since 2020, and has loved expanding her community through teaching and working at the BAC since this fall.
How did you arrive at the Brookline Arts Center? What sparked your interest in our organization?
I was drawn to the BAC due to its all-encompassing nature as an arts center– an opportunity to work at an organization that offers studio art classes, manages two gallery spaces, and partners with other community organizations through art-making was something that aligned perfectly with my values as an educator. I was originally looking for an assistant teaching position for the summertime at the BAC, but at the time I applied, the position had already been filled– Jessica O’Hearn agreed to interview me anyways and she offered me a fall position where I would be an assistant teacher along with helping out the admin team with day-to-day operations.
Tell us about your background and interests, and how it relates to the BAC?
I have been making art my whole life, and in high school I spent lots of time hanging out in the museums in my area, which led me to applying to MassArt where I am studying art education and pursuing a career in community and museum education. The BAC provides me with the opportunity to develop my teaching practice, as well as support the logistics of the gallery spaces and complete other administrative tasks.
What have you learned about yourself and/or the local art community since your involvement at the BAC?
Since my involvement with the BAC, I have learned how cherished the arts are amongst Boston families– the community at MassArt is incredibly supportive and stretches far and wide, but I have now seen an entirely different side of art in Boston. At the BAC, I have been introduced to so many local artists, organizations, and families that are passionate about enriching our community through art. It is truly a great feeling to be able to provide students with an engaging arts curriculum, and it has been a pleasure to merge my two communities.
What has brought you the most joy as an artist and/or student of the arts?
As an artist and student of the arts, I have experienced the most joy from learning what I am capable of through art, and through sharing this gift with others as I work as an educator. Both art education and my art practice have empowered me, strengthened me, and given me a space to advocate for myself and others.
What was your favorite childhood art project? Or What is your idea of fun?
At the time, this definitely wasn’t my favorite project– as a little kid, I went to a one-off, upcycled art materials class in the basement of the local library. The library was way ahead of the curve with pushing a sustainability aspect in art. They prepared an array of broken down cardboard boxes, empty plastic bottles, and other random discarded items for us to make sculptures with. I remember I came home with a CD glued to an orange juice carton. I would absolutely love a project like this now– I feel like it would kind of be a dream for any contemporary artist to have dozens of found objects at their disposal for an abstract sculpture.
What artists or kinds of art are you into right now?
Right now, I’m really into text-based fiber arts and any “traditional” art media that either represents technology or incorporates aspects of the digital age. Think about a tufted yarn rug depicting a social media screenshot, or a painted portrait of someone that includes their cell phone. This juxtaposition is so interesting to me and I think there is something significant to be revealed through this type of work.
What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the art community?
The art community is for absolutely everyone– and community based education spaces are special in that they are built around meeting students where they are at. In the supportive, collaborative spaces that I have seen the teachers at the BAC provide, there are no prerequisites for exploring a new medium and for discovering unique ways to express how you understand yourself and the world around you.
When you’re not at the BAC, where can people find you?
When I’m not at the BAC, people can find me at MassArt either in my studio space or in the weaving room, on the couch with some good friends, or in my kitchen cooking.
