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.
2025 Summer Studio Intern: Mia Brown-Seguin
We are always happy to welcome a new Studio Intern to Arrowmont! This internship entails working closely with full-time studio technicians to help maintain the studio spaces and support instructors and students during workshop sessions. The 2025 Summer Studio Intern, Mia Brown-Seguin, joined us from Dighton, Massachusetts. To learn more about Mia and what brought her to the arts and Arrowmont this summer, continue reading below!
Q&A
Tell us a little bit about yourself! Where are you from, and how did you get into the arts?
I’m Mia Brown-Seguin, a sculptor and papermaker from Dighton, Massachusetts. Growing up, I found myself between Rhode Island and Bristol County, MA, often spending my time at the ocean or around horses. I went to watercolor classes with my grandmother and attribute my interest in the arts to my great grandmother, Shirley A. (Mason) Saben, a scrimshaw artist who passed away in 2013. My creative family, along with several community arts workshops, inspired me to both become an artist and pursue a career in the arts.
Tell us more about your artwork and studio practice. What are the mediums you primarily work in and themes that your work explores?
In my practice, I work across sculpture and craft mediums, exploring parallels between identity, human connection, and environmental systems. Papermaking is central to my practice, as the materiality and process resonate with my conceptual interests. Working with papermaking in sculptural processes, I have recently created abstracted organic forms relating to cyclical bodies including pods, eggs, and seeds. These non-human forms symbolize fate, while reflecting on personal traumas, space-time paths, and life trajectories.
What interested you most in the Arrowmont Summer Studio Internship?
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts has been on my radar for a while now. I am excited by craft communities and the close knit, welcoming atmosphere fostered in craft school environments. Arrowmont’s work to support emerging artists and their initiatives to provide arts education throughout Appalachia are values that align with my practice and goals.
The Summer Studio Internship especially interested me because it provides hands- on experience working under the Studio Technicians and Studio Manager. As a practicing artist, I was excited by the prospect of supporting many renowned artist instructors, and maintaining the exceptional studios that are at the heart of Arrowmont’s programming.
What have your responsibilities been as the Summer Studio Intern? What do your days look like?
As a Summer Studio Intern, I assist the Programming Department with facilitating the National Workshop Season. My responsibilities are structured with daily tasks that ebb and flow with the weekly workshop turnover. Each Sunday, I greet instructors and am often the first team member an instructor interacts with at the beginning of their week. I greet students with Safety Talks and offer support as students and instructors settle intotheir studio spaces. I compile presentations from instructors and instructor assistants throughout the week and assist with material ordering and local pickups for forthcoming workshops. Each Friday, I help the Studio Team to changeover studios, refreshing the studio and preparing it for the incoming workshop and instructor needs. The studio internship role involves various tasks throughout nine different studios and diverse mediums, providing many exciting learning opportunities throughout the program.
Tell us one magical story from your time here at Arrowmont.
Being surrounded by creatives, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a magical way to experience a Tennessee summer. During my internship, I met a group of outdoorsy folk who enjoyed an evening dip in the river just as much as I do. While spending time with my Arrowmont community out in nature, I had some of my best memories… watching the synchronous fireflies, tubing down falls in Little Pigeon River, and hiking Mt LeConte. The people that I shared some of these moments with have become lifelong friends all because of the serendipity that we came to the same place at the same time.
You were able to take a national workshop as part of your internship. How did that experience impact you?
Yes! During my Summer Studio Internship, I was able to take two national workshops. As a sculptor, I was excited to participate in SaraBeth Post’s “What a Relief! Glass Casting” workshop and M. Kobe’s “Matter and Memory: Sculpture and Accumulation”. In these workshops, I learned about new materials and techniques, while building friendships and professional connections. Likewise, these workshops provided the time and space to pursue personal projects and be inspired by the various perspectives of students and instructors.
What have been the most valuable learning opportunities you’ve had during your Internship?
While at Arrowmont, I have learned many valuable skills and considered new ways of working. I have also gained an understanding of the inner workings of arts non-profits, methods of teaching, and even styles of presenting artist talks. During my internship, I focused on honing my skills in studio technician responsibilities and observing instructors to inform my path as an artist and educator.
What advice would you give to a future intern?
The Arrowmont Summer Studio internship is an incredible opportunity. While it is a learning experience and a whole lot of fun, the most valuable aspect for me has been the professional connections. It can be easy to overlook the wealth of knowledge the students, instructors, workstudies, studio assistants, and staff have. The instructor may not be the only person in the room whose job, interest, or skills align most with yours. Be curious, welcoming, and open to hearing new perspectives. Remember that the Arrowmont community is there to help you and encourage you just as much as you are there to help facilitate their experience.
How has your experience at Arrowmont as the 2025 Summer Studio Intern impacted you or potentially your career or life plans?
As Arrowmont’s Summer studio Intern, I built confidence in myself. I found peace in the challenges inherent to being an early career artist and learned about non traditional approaches to navigating the art world. I stepped out of my comfort zone, learned new skills in marketing my work, and built connections with artists who I plan to stay in touch with throughout my career.
Are you interested in becoming a Studio 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!
