During my internship with a Paris-based contemporary artist, I assisted on a large public commission—golden raindrop sculptures for a metro station—while learning studio techniques in clay, glazing coordination, and metalsmithing to translate forms into hammered metal. My work spanned studio production, gallery preparation and installs for a vernissage, cataloging artworks, client deliveries, and attending agency and gallery meetings; I also supported kiln firings at a countryside studio and joined site visits with collaborating artisans, gaining hands-on experience across artistic, technical, and professional facets of the art world.
Watching a woman who has made it as an artist; supporting her family and inspiring many, has given me the hope to continue pursuing art as a career myself. While I know it will be difficult I have always wanted to be an artist and this internship allowed me a portal view into what it could be like. I’m so very grateful as this internship ultimately helped me to plan my next steps after college when before I didn’t know where to start.
Isabella Damberger-Sheldon
Junior | UC Berkeley | France | Art Practice