This semester we are excited to welcome a group of new interns to the Van Every/Smith Galleries! We’ll be introducing them every week through this New Intern Intro series. First up is Claire Begalla ’24!
Name and hometown?
Claire Begalla. DeLand, Florida.
Class year and major/minor?
My class year is 2024 and I am planning on majoring in psychology and minoring in film and media studies as of right now, but I’m definitely still undecided.
Did you do anything this summer or during quarantine related to the arts?
This summer I continued working in a coffee shop that also serves as an art gallery with a monthly artist rotation. I also took a lot of photos especially on film and I learned to use a sewing machine!
Why were you interested in interning with the galleries?
This job was of interest to me because I am passionate about art and I am interested in learning about all of the aspects that go into running a successful museum and art program. I also was curious to see if this job would be close to something I would be interested in doing as a career.
What role does art play in your life as a Davidson student? Do you see art playing a role in your life post-Davidson?
As a Davidson student so far, art has been something that keeps me grounded. When going in to work on photographing the collection, just being surrounded by all of the art makes me feel calmer and more at home. Art has always been a constant in my life, and to go from a community I knew so well at home to an entirely new place in the midst of a pandemic, art and photography has been calming and really nice because it’s one of the only familiar things here. I definitely plan on surrounding myself with art and continuing photography post-Davidson.
Favorite sculpture on campus and why?
My favorite sculpture on campus has to be The Group Of Ten based on the appearance of the figures and the message of questioning identity communicated through the absence of the heads on the individuals. This questioning of identity seems fitting for a college campus.
Hobbies?
Photography, biking, playing guitar, thrifting, and hiking.
Little known fact about you?
One fun fact about me is that I was / am a barista at a specialty coffee shop so I know a lot about coffee.
If you could have a meal with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why?
If I could have a meal with anyone it would definitely be Richard Avedon. I feel he could give me a lot of insight on photography and just life in general. I also think we would just have a good time. From what I know about Avedon he seemed like a funny person.