Beyond the Classroom: Montserrat Students Gain Real-World Experience Through Internships

At Montserrat College of Art, learning extends far beyond studio walls. Our students actively engage in internships, applying their creative skills in diverse professional environments. These experiences provide valuable insights, develop practical abilities, and build connections crucial for their future careers. Here’s a look at some of the internships our students have completed from Summer 2024 through Spring 2025.

Creative Design and Digital Media

Dylan Maher ’25 (Graphic Design) stepped into his role as the first Graphic Design intern at The Edinburg Center. He focused on brand consistency, developing an updated brand kit, standardized social media graphics, and various employee templates. Dylan’s work extended to communicating with external print companies, where he learned to navigate complex issues related to ink and paper specifications.

Brandon Hale ’25 (Graphic Design) managed social media for multiple clients during his internship at GL Design. His responsibilities included generating content topics, crafting hashtags, conducting SWOT analyses, editing visuals, writing copy, and scheduling posts, all while communicating directly with clients. Brandon emphasizes that learning to make agendas and appropriately email clients were key takeaways for his future career.

Dom Ferro ’26 (Graphic Design) gained hands-on experience at BevCam. They designed YouTube thumbnails, social media banners, and webpage interfaces. Dom also played a role in editing and recording events, and crafting layouts for social media. Their supervisor, also a graphic design alumna, provided valuable feedback, enhancing Dom’s growth in a community-driven design environment.

Skylar Lafleur ’25 (Interdisciplinary Arts) contributed her graphic design skills to children’s book author Erin Dionne, creating promotional materials, collecting information, and illustrating a book cover. This internship directly led to a similar job at Ellis Audiobooks, and Skylar is officially credited in Erin Dionne’s book, “Stories from the Plastic Pumpkin.”

Grecia Murillo ’25 (Photo, Video, & Film) applied her skills at Azul Mexican Restaurant. She drafted holiday menus and managed the restaurant’s social media accounts. Grecia credits the owners with teaching her valuable organizational skills, particularly in tracking paperwork.

Erin Cox ’25 (Animation) explored the administrative side of the arts at Featherstone Center for the Arts. Her duties included office tasks like answering phones and processing donations. Her main project involved designing the menu card and table numbers for their annual Gala. Erin learned the ins and outs of how to run a non-profit organization and emphasized the importance of clear and efficient communication.

Bella Unni ’25 (Animation) focused on graphic design for the Boston Comic Arts Foundation and Calmer Con. Her tasks included designing a logo, editing pictures, and creating mascots. Bella believes this experience was a direct preparation for a potential freelance career as an artist.

Whitney Farnsworth ’25 (Printmaking) interned with the Vermont National Guard. Her primary role was taking pictures at events and updating their Facebook page and newsletter. Whitney learned how to properly use a camera and edit photos to meet Army specifications, and highlighted a visit to the Ethan Allen Firing Range for its natural beauty.

Dynamic Animation and Visual Storytelling

Kaylee Blandin ’25 (Animation) interned at BevCam, where she helped film and edit podcasts and videos. A significant part of her internship involved teaching her own animation workshop. Kaylee found the experience beneficial for learning about teaching and expanding her networking capabilities, culminating in her hosting a podcast episode called “BevCam Kids.”

Aikira Taylor ’25 (Animation) took on a role at TiC Summer Camp. Her duties included ensuring campers had a positive experience, teaching them Adobe Animate, demonstrating techniques, and guiding them to complete their projects. Aikira learned to have more patience and noted how the experience shaped her animation skills and networking abilities.

Alexander Cornwell ’25 (Animation) worked remotely on a professional project for Scumhouse, focusing on rough animation. This was his first time working under the direct guidance of another artist, an experience that taught him the importance of revisions to align with a director’s vision. He found it valuable to see both sides of the creative process for a video game trailer that is already in early access.

Lily Courtemanche ’25 (Animation) contributed to stop-motion film production at Big Sky. She assisted with molds, puppets, and props, gaining insight into the extensive pre-filming process. Lily found the intricate methods of puppet creation and different mold types particularly interesting, informing her understanding of stop-motion production.

Engaging with Games, Toys, & Play

Jasper Michel ’26 (Games, Toys, & Play) interned at the Wenham Museum. They worked on cataloging and organizing sections of the museum’s collection, including the games shelf. Jasper also cataloged, photographed, and labeled previously unmarked items. A notable achievement was helping to solve a nearly 100-year-old puzzle that had been in the collection since 2013, which ultimately proved to be missing only one piece. Jasper gained considerable insight into museum operations and database use.

Nik Barry ’25 (Games, Toys, & Play) was engaged in a diverse role at Minis with a Mission. Their duties included attending events and meetings, creating visual assets like photo ads, flyers, and information pamphlets, assisting with farm work, making bracelets, and designing Canva trading cards. Nik learned about professionalism, animal care, graphic design, scheduling, and communication, all while working with mini horses and donkeys.

Persephone Huffman ’26 (Games, Toys, & Play) interned at Big Sky. Her work involved hands-on tasks like mold-making, set building and design, sculpting, and silicone pouring for stop-motion projects. Persephone experienced a methodical and slow side of art she was unaccustomed to, finding it a uniquely careful process.

Jack Hollis DuBois ’25 (Interdisciplinary Arts) interned at Paper Asylum. He was involved in light stock management, online marketplace listing, organization, and cataloging. Jack gained insight into the production and marketing of comics with weekly turnarounds, finding the consistent fast pace both “terrifying and fascinating.” He also learned about the active trading card game industry, noting the existence of high-value cards like the Black Lotus.

Illustration and Applied Arts

Jessica Ganino ’25 (Illustration) interned at Hammer & Stain Northshore. Her duties included setting up for workshops, painting samples, directing sessions, cleaning the studio, packing orders, and interacting with clients. Jessica gained new skills in resin techniques, vinyl cutting, directing creative workshops, and managing order fulfillment.

Grace Cantalini ’25 (Illustration) served as a teaching assistant at Workshop 13. She helped develop drawing exercises, ran lessons, set up materials, made examples, and assisted her advisor with personal branding-related art projects. Grace learned that a career path doesn’t have to be linear and that support from an artistic community is essential.

Ari Varney ’25 (Illustration) took on an internship role at NAGLY, also leading their Illustration club. Ari contributed to outreach product design and helped monitor group sessions. This was Ari’s first experience creating art for a client, which taught them the importance of considering client needs and asking clarifying questions.

Mariah Silva ’25 (Illustration), also known as Frankie, interned at Thistle Piercing and Fine Jewelry. As a desk sales associate and product illustrator, Mariah learned to communicate effectively with clients and assist them with long-term projects.

Catherine Cheseldine ’25 (Illustration) interned at Good Mojo Tattoos. Her roles included cleaner, receptionist, floater, and decorator. Catherine learned extensively about the licensing, tax requirements, and safety/sanitization protocols for tattoo artists and the business itself.

Casper Childs ’25 (Printmaking) interned at Art Supply Wholesale, where he painted a custom mural. He learned to work efficiently on a larger scale, building on previous experience with the company.

Julia Siegert ’25 (Interdisciplinary Arts) completed an internship at Score & Slip Pottery Studio. Her hands-on duties included maintaining the studio, sieving and fixing glazes, assisting with ceramic questions, and managing all aspects of kiln loading and firing. Julia learned extensively about running a ceramic studio and appreciated the kind and supportive community there.

Domenic Karis ’25 (Printmaking) gained behind-the-scenes experience at The Black Veil. His duties included cashiering, vending, and event operation, giving him insight into how art fairs are run.

These examples showcase the breadth of practical experience Montserrat College of Art students gain, preparing them for diverse and evolving creative careers. They apply their artistic training in real-world contexts, build professional networks, and discover new facets of their chosen fields.