HAGERSTOWN, MD – As part of a closer collaborative relationship with Hagerstown Community College, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts announces its newest intern, Madison Loving of Hagerstown. The internship was an outgrowth of conversations between both organizations about how to enhance educational opportunities for students, while also providing support to the museum.
The 19-year-old sophomore is a visual arts major at Hagerstown Community College. She will graduate in December with an associate’s degree.
“My two main career goals for myself are to either work in a museum maybe in curation,” she said. “But I also want to be an art teacher.”
Loving said the internship would allow her to learn about working in museums.
She plans on transferring to Shepherd University for the spring 2024 semester to major in art education. However, the internship might change her mind to switch to a museum studies major.
“I wanted a good experience to get an idea of which one I would be leaning toward,” she said.
Loving has always used art as a way to bring herself out of her shell. Growing up, she found it hard to talk to others, but art gave her a way.
“I never really hung out with a lot of people,” she said. “I always just kind of used it as an escape.”
Creating art also became a self-confidence booster for her. Some of her earliest memories were when her preschool teacher would compliment her on her artwork. She said her elementary art teacher was an inspiration because he also encouraged her art. Those positive reinforcements have stayed with her up to adulthood.
“I kind of just found something that I enjoyed to do so I just continued doing it,” she said.
When she’s not making art, Loving plays bass and guitar in a band with Sloan School of Music. She also enjoys comics, cartoons and fashion.
While at the museum Loving has been working with Director of Education Kellie Mele on developeing a series of bonding through art programs for pre-school age children and their caregivers.
HCC students are encouraged to talk to their advisor about the potential of interning for academic credit. At the museum, opportunities can be tailored to a broad range of interests, including exhibition support, collections management, marketing, administration, and education. Other students interested in museum internships should send a letter of inquiry to infor@wcmfa.org.
