Arrowmont Internships
The Internship Program at Arrowmont is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning about nonprofit administration or seeking practical experience in an arts organization. Interns live and work on campus for 2-3 months, becoming a pivotal part of the Arrowmont Community during our busy workshop sessions. Learn more about internships.
2024 Fall Events Intern: Emily Chebli
We are always happy to welcome a new Events Intern to Arrowmont! This internship entails working closely with our Director of National Programs to create after-hours events and experiences for our workshop students. A warm and welcoming personality and ability to work with autonomy are of utmost importance. The 2024 Fall Events Intern, Emily Chebli, joined us from Miami, Florida. To continue learning more about Emily and what brought her to the arts and Arrowmont this fall, continue reading below!
Q&A
Tell me a little bit more about yourself! Where are you from, and how did you get into the arts?
I was raised in Miami, Florida, with my three sisters. Being homeschooled with my parents allowed me to lean deeply into all of my creative interests growing up. I grew up doing ballet, playing instruments, and constantly reading.
I picked up drawing somewhat suddenly at age 12 and have been pursuing visual art in some capacity ever since. After graduating both high school and community college, I earned my B.A. in Art and English at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC in May 2024.
Tell us more about your artwork and studio practice. What are the mediums you primarily work in, and themes that your work explores?
I consider myself a printmaker first and foremost, with intaglio and relief printing being my main practices. I was able to dip my toes into stone lithography right before I graduated, which I would love to practice further. Beyond printmaking, I’ve also been incorporating more fiber practices into my work, from spinning to weaving to crochet, as well as bookmaking.
The themes that my work explores are inextricable from my interest in stories: folktales, fairytales, myths, and more. Within that subject area, I am most interested in the evolution of stories from past to present, the therapeutic nature of storytelling, representations of women and queerness, and the pattern-making nature of these stories. My most recent body of work focuses on the Brothers Grimm folktale collections.
What interested you the most about the Arrowmont Events Internship?
I attended a workshop here in the summer of 2023, so I was already interested in coming back to both the campus and the sense of community that I had already fallen in love with. I had also been interested in gaining experience working within an arts organization in a non-arts capacity. I knew that this position would introduce me to many artists, so I looked forward to making those connections, as well as creating events to support those connections being made between students and instructors alike.
What have your responsibilities been as the Fall Events intern?
At the beginning of every week, I design a flier to advertise the social hangouts that are happening that week. Each day, I introduce our presenters at Slide Night, host a fun event, and lock up the studios. These events include a movie night, a walking tour of campus, a bonfire night, and a karaoke party at the end of the week.
Tell us one magical story from your time here at Arrowmont.
Halloween fell on a Thursday this year, so instead of hosting a regular karaoke party, I got to put together a Halloween party! It was so fun to decorate the whole library, to create an interactive murder mystery scavenger hunt, and to see everyone have fun in their costumes.
You were able to take a national workshop as part of your internship. How did that experience impact you?
I took Narrative Jewelry Making with Ashley Gilreath. It was my first time taking a metalworking class, so while it was challenging, it was such an inspiring experience! Ashley was an incredibly supportive instructor, and I got to explore some themes that were very close to my heart. This workshop allowed me to learn so many fundamentals of jewelry making in just one week, and I would’ve never been able to do that and explore those themes without the opportunity of taking that workshop.
What have been the most valuable learning opportunities you’ve had during your internship?
Because I introduce all the instructors and assistants at Slide Night, I’ve gotten to watch and absorb every presentation given here this fall. There is practically no other place where I could have learned about the work of so many artists in such a short amount of time. My introductions helped me become more confident in public speaking, and I was able to learn from the many ways that presenters interact with their audience and create an engaging presentation.
How has your experience at Arrowmont as the 2024 Fall Events Intern impacted you or potentially your career or life plans?
The experience of working in an arts organization/nonprofit has cemented my idea that I would love to pursue more work opportunities in this field, while also developing my studio practice further. I’ve learned about so many ways of approaching careers in the arts from the instructors here and am excited to think about those approaches while I figure out my own next steps. Additionally, I’m looking forward to returning to my studio practice and incorporating the memories and ideas I’ve gained during this experience into my work.
Are you interested in becoming an Events intern? Are you wanting to expand your knowledge in nonprofit administration and the arts?
Contact Kelly Hider at [email protected] or call 865-436-5860 extension 31 for more details on next year’s internships!
