NAGB INTERN: La'Dea Gem Roberts

W E E K   O N E

Dear Bloggers,

First & Foremost, I am Gem Roberts, an aspiring artist and aspiring computer information systems specialist. This past week, being my first week as an intern at NAGB has been informative and event filled, including this past Wednesday being the fortieth year of independence for my Bahamas.

Not only did I begin by becoming familiar with the grounds, met the other interns Dyah and Ashante, and helped in preparation for the 40 years of Bahamian Art exhibition, but I was able to attend and work as a part of the NAGB team during the event. This was the pinnacle of my week, being able to work an exhibition opening. Words cannot describe the pleasure I felt in being apart of something I have a passion for, during fortieth independence milestone of my country, alongside such welcoming team members, and being able to see so many members of society and dignitaries awes and reactions towards this great exhibition; quadruple the pleasure.

Needless to say, I was very tired after working such an event. Being an aspiring artist myself, this event only motivated me to strive even harder to one day have my very own art featured in such an exhibition. This Friday following the exhibition premier, I was able to become familiar with the texts of Bahamian Artists sold in the NAGB store and critique them. Overall, this week has been a very inspirational and nothing short of exciting. I'll close by reiterating a very popular quote by Confucius I felt put into action this week, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”.

-L. Gem Roberts

NAGB INTERN: Dyah Neilson

 W E E K   O N E

Starting our internship, another intern, Ashante, and I were given a brief tour of the grounds in order to familiarize ourselves with the building and its history. We also read catalogues concerning exhibitions that were on display at the time to get an idea of what has been happening inside the gallery, as well as gain some knowledge about famous Bahamian artists. This knowledge was further enhanced later in the week by visiting Antonius Roberts’ Hillside House, where we learned more about the artist and even about galleries themselves. During the course of the week, I was able to experience most, if not all, of the departments that help in the running of the NAGB.

I assisted with the education department in calling numerous places such as the many public schools on the island, as well as a craft store to ask for a quote on tools that would be needed for the John Beadle workshop that was taking place that weekend. Ashante and I were then given a hands-on job in which we cut cardboard for the workshop. In the in-between time, I was able to work with the curatorial department as well, and was quickly taught the right way in which to move and transport paintings. I realized that though I had handled artwork many times before, there was still much, much more I needed to learn. When I was told that I would be working in the basement with the national collection, I thought it a privilege that I would be trusted with this task. I found this to be a much more work-filled week than I was expecting, and although it was busy, it was still relaxing. It was definitely an eye-opener, but nonetheless a great experience so far.

-Dyah Neilson

NAGB INTERN: Ashante Pratt

W E E K  O N E

Monday June 24th signifies the day I stepped into a whole new world of art that I have been blind to all my life. On this day, I took a step towards my future. On this day, I became an intern at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. At first I had no clue what exactly to expect during this eye-opening journey. Of course I knew art would be involved, but I also knew that there was more to it. As I come to the end of my first week here, I can confidently say that I am ecstatic to see what’s in store for the rest of my time here. On my first day I was very nervous and it showed in my clothes. I came dressed as if I were a lawyer, which is the attire my mother thinks apply for every job. After a while it sunk in and I was ready for a day of work. This feeling stuck with me throughout the entire week, however, the lawyer clothes didn’t. As the week progressed I went from reading and gathering information on master artist in the Bahamas, to actually meeting them!

This took place when we visited Antonius Roberts’ studio called Hillside House where I received a few tips about taking on the artistic path in college. That was an opportunity I never expected to happen. Some of the other cool things I did this week were making preparations for John Beadle’s workshop and editing labels for Master Artists Of The Bahamas. I was also challenged to break out of my shell and talk to principals of private schools for an education visit. Besides labour work I also learned a lot about the placement of artwork and their labels and all the other little details that make the artwork in the gallery almost jump out at you. The end of the week marks the beginning of a new one in which I get to continue this amazing experience.

-Ashante Pratt

Art Teachers Of The Bahamas

The following link is exclusive for Art Teachers in The Bahamas. The link provides information for teachers and contains vital tools for students to be used in the classroom.

If you are an Art Teacher and you are experiencing technical difficulties please contact Ms. Benjamin at the NAGB, or jbenjamin@nagb.org.bs 328-5800/1.

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