HAGERSTOWN, MD – Washington County Museum of Fine Arts announces its newest intern, Katelyn Bard from Hagerstown Community College.
Bard, 20, of Clear Spring, Pennsylvania, is a visual arts major at HCC. She began her museum internship in January and will continue through May, when she graduates.
She plans to transfer to Shippensburg (Pa.) University to finish her undergraduate degree and major in art education. The internship at the museum has allowed her to be exposed to the arts and learn more about the museum’s collections and programs, while giving her the opportunity to work with children through the museum’s tours and youth education programs.
“I’m kind of dipping my toes into what I’m already planning to do for my future,” she said.
Bard said when she started her internship, she was looking forward to having interactions with children and to learn to be a better speaker, especially inside the classroom.
And so far, she’s been able to accomplish both goals. She has assisted teachers during the Saturday Morning Youth Program for first- through fifth-graders, and has created and led a highlights tour for a visiting student group. This month she’ll lead a four-week homeschool art class for which she designed a curriculum. She also will aid teachers in the new eight-week Teen Studio art program.
Although she wants to be an educator, she is an artist at heart, who enjoys relaxing by playing her guitar, and acrylic painting. She particularly enjoys painting still lifes and portraits.
However, she admitted she hasn’t had time lately to create while balancing school, work and the internship.
“The only thing that I can work on is for my capstone and getting my portfolio together to graduate,” she said. “Hopefully during the summer I’ll have more time so I can sit down and just go crazy.”
HCC students are encouraged to talk to their advisor about the potential of interning at the museum 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 info@wcmfa.org
