SPACES is proud to have some very talented interns. In an effort to promote these talents and reward the interns for their hard work and dedication to the organization, SPACES is letting these talented artists take over its exhibition space. Timeout is an exhibition curated by and showcasing work from SPACES 2015 interns. It is the first exhibition of its kind at SPACES.
“SPACES has an amazing team of self-driven and talented interns, so when they approached us to put on an intern show we didn’t hesitate,” says SPACES Community Engagement Manager Michelle Epps. “The one caveat we proposed to them was that they were going to have full responsibility for putting the show together, we could offer them guidance, but whether the show failed or succeeded was their risk. Because of this, I think they are getting some valuable experience they wouldn’t otherwise have in any other internship.”
Participating artists include Toby Griffiths, Jordan Johnson, Heather Knotek-Black, Ellen Krantz, Kelsey McRill, Lindsey Poyar, Rhodes Rozman, Joey Strunk and Debbie Weidrick.
“The inspiration to propose the idea of an intern show came from the desire to show the Greater Cleveland community what the interns of SPACES are capable of,” explains SPACES intern and Cleveland Institute of Art Drawing/Painting major Debbie Weidrick. “With such deserving and ambitious students, it seemed only fitting to propose an ambitious event; an entirely intern-run show, which had never been done at SPACES before.”
Weidrick continues, “The show title, Timeout, is symbolic of the busy schedules students face balancing school, work and internships and represents the work the SPACES interns make when they have the opportunity. Timeout shows that despite their busy schedules, SPACES interns’ first priority is their own artwork. It is a passion, and no matter how little time there is in the day, artists are going to do what they love.”
These interns come from a number of different colleges and universities. They work in a variety of media; including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking and graphic design.
“My intern experience at SPACES has been incredible,” exclaims Lindsey Poyar, Digital Media & Design major at Baldwin Wallace. “I've gotten to dabble in a lot of things that interns at other places don't get to do. From graphic design to helping new artists with their exhibitions. It’s amazing how the staff at SPACES trusts their interns from the very beginning. I've learned a lot and I'm looking forward for the opportunities that will come from this.”
“I would say it's been a diverse, incredibly friendly, learning experience about what really makes up the modern Cleveland art scene,” adds Kelsey McRill, earning her BFA at Alfred University with a minor in marketing. “I am incredibly excited for this opportunity to have my work in such a cool gallery in downtown Cleveland and I definitely didn't expect to have such a good opportunity like this!”
Timeout opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 7. The show will remain on view through the weekend.
Free.
(SPACES) 2220 Superior Viaduct, 216-621-2314, spacesgallery.org
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