Author: Allison Lamonica
Education Intern at the Mattress Factory – Fall 2023
When I was younger, I wanted to be an art teacher because I enjoyed working with kids and making art. As I grew up, I changed my plan and decided to major in marketing, however, I continued to study art with my two minors, studio art and museum studies.
Through the museum studies program and the help of Professor Alex Taylor and Professor Melanie Groves, I was able to explore what a career in art could be like through the opportunity to work with the Education Department at the Mattress Factory.
Starting in September, I was able to get to know the museum by shadowing tours, researching the galleries, attending an artist walkthrough of a new installation, and meeting with several different staff members. I got to help with ArtLab, a program that occurs on Saturdays and welcomes all visitors to get involved with the installations. The one that I was able to help with involved visitors adding pieces of wood to Assume the Risk by Asim Waqif.
The beginning of October is when Mattress Factory’s After School program started. This program is available for students, grades 2-6, from local schools. Every Wednesday, we worked with the kids, doing different activities, allowing them to interact with the museum and their peers, and learn about and create art of different mediums. This became the main focus of my internship. I would go in a couple hours before it started to help set up and pick up a few of the students from school. While we waited for everyone to show up, we would provide snacks and homework help.
The kids in the program were truly amazing to work with. They’re bright, funny, and super creative. They would make me laugh every week, like when they pretended to be funeral directors in an improv game or created puppets of Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice to perform at the Grammy’s.
I had so much fun working with the Mattress Factory’s staff, visitors, and the kids. As a marketing major, I have spent the last four years thinking that I would end up working in business. Working with the Education Department reminded me that I have so many options when it comes to my career.
Thank you to the education staff at the Mattress Factory for your help, knowledge, and kindness throughout the semester!