Sidney
Age: 17
Years at OJAC: 4
Favorite work of art: Three Sorrows by Deborah Butterfield
This past year at the Old Jail Art Center has been one of my favorites since I started volunteering there as a Junior Docent during my 8th grade year. Now I am an intern and I enjoy helping to prep the family festivals which teach younger generations about different cultures in the world. For me, learning about these cultures opens my mind about the world out there, reminding me how we are all different and similar at the same time.
I can remember going to family festivals as a kid and having so much fun making the crafts and learning about other cultures. My favorite family festival from my first year as an intern was World Kite Day. The festival showed how people from all over the world enjoy the same toy, something so simple yet amazing to have in common: a kite. It was so calming to watch the visitors and kids enjoy running around outside and flying their kites. I was working at a game booth in the courtyard so I was able to see many families come and go from the festival with happy faces. It was rewarding to help create an event where these families were able to enjoy a day off and have some fun with their loved ones while making memories.
Morgan
Age: 16
Years at OJAC: 1 year
Favorite work of art: Blue Morpho Butterfly by Martin Johnson Heade
My favorite part about being an OJAC intern are the family festivals. This may seem like an easy answer because they are fun for everyone, but my favorite part is getting to do all the behind the scenes work that visitors don’t know about.
Family Festivals are my favorite because they are a place where visitors can learn about different holidays or events celebrated in different cultures around the world. It’s a great way to travel and learn about other people without leaving the building. Another thing I love about Family Festivals is the set up. I love decorating the museum, setting up the entrance, and assembling snacks at the refreshments table. It’s fascinating to see the museum transform into a completely different place in the world right before my eyes.
My favorite festival so far was Italian Christmas, Natale, last December. I loved learning about the month-long Christmas festivities that include amazing Nativity scenes and La Befana! I look forward to seeing many new faces join the fun at the next OJAC family festival.