Making Memories @ OJAC

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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.

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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. 

READ MORE FROM OJAC STAFF

Graduating Intern Reflects on her Time at The OJAC

Being a Junior Docent has played an important role in my life.

I signed up to be a junior docent my seventh grade year. I heard of the program through my older brother who was also a junior docent. I saw how he enjoyed his time at the Old Jail and decided I would give it a shot. I loved art class and I loved making art and hoped that the Junior Docent Program would bring me the same creative joy.  Being an awkward 12 year old, I was shy, quiet, and didn’t like to step outside of my comfort zone. Over the years, working with the junior docents has brought me out of my shell and taught me to be more social. I have loved getting to work all of the family festivals and summer art camps. When I was asked to be a high school intern my sophomore year, I was so excited. I get to work at the Old Jail every week and I honestly enjoy every minute of it. I love getting to make samples for Art-to-go and Distance Learning and volunteering at the family festivals. It’s heart warming to watch other children make art and enjoy it as much as I do. Being a part of junior docents has had a big role in my becoming who I am today. I keep telling Erin I’m going to drive back and forth from San Angelo State so I can keep working here while I’m in college. 

I have enjoyed my time here at the Old Jail Art Center and I highly recommend joining the Junior Docents program to any student interested in art.

Savannah Perez
2016 Graduate of Albany High School