Three #FHSart students take part in the 2015 Teen Artist Internship Program through the New Bedford Art Museum and ArtWorks!

About TAIP 2015

NBAM/ArtWorks! is pleased to celebrate their 11th year of the Teen Artist Internship Program. TAIP's goal is to inspire and educate high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing a career in the visual arts. Their program provides budding young artists the opportunity to experience what it's like to maintain a personal studio and work on projects that require patience and dedication, two key components in becoming a successful artist. The relationship that forms between student and mentor as they create art together and share creative experiences is one of growth, learning, and friendship.
*provided by the Seven Sees Exhibit Brochure


Allisun Jiggins

"My experience in the Teen Artist Internship Program has been so enlightening. I've learned many things from my mentor, Aaron (Souza), that I wouldn't be able to pick up on my own. It's hard work. I put in many hours towards my project and I've surprised myself with how much I've improved just in the 9 weeks I had to work with such a talented, local artist. I've learned the process of stretching a canvas, preparing it, and many techniques using oil paints. I've learned how to see the deeper colors of a picture and focus on how many different colors can come together to create the impression of just one. My time spent at my mentor's studio was fun and educational. Our conversations varied widely, but were never dull. At the end of the day, I would say that I am definitely a better artist than I was at the start of the internship and I gained some confidence in my abilities overall. I definitely was a bit nervous at first but I soon got over it and let my hands create a fantastic piece of art."
Garrett Kielty

"I began working on my first large-scale watercolor painting in January. My mentor, Jay (Ryan), taught me a handful of techniques that helped to both shape my painting and advance my skills as an artist. As for the idea behind the painting itself, I found myself puzzled in the beginning. I wasn't sure what I wanted to make, so I created a rough self portrait looking in a mirror. I was finding the painting itself rather uninspired and bland so I went back to square one. My mentor began to take photographs of me painting to see if I would like any of them. One of the pictures, we both agreed, had a very appealing composition. I decided to paint a new picture using that photo. The ironic part is, that I am painting my first, rough self portrait in the photograph. I found a use for it after all. I found it humorous that the process consisted of me painting a picture of myself painting myself. The final piece I call, 'Garrett-ception'."
Mackenzie Martin

"I went into the TAIP program only knowing little about what it means to be an established artist and I came out with an understanding of how a career in art is something to be admired. Being an artist isn't just a typical job it's a way of living and enjoying life. Initially I thought that my only strength as an artist was my ability to draw but with the help of my mentor I learned there's a lot more you can do if you simply explore. My mentor, Krysten Simmons, taught me a lot about photography from how to set up a shot, how to edit it to perfection, and how to make a photo tell a story. After her taking me out on hour long shoots I began to look at the world and its beauty; now when I'm simply on a walk I'm constantly wishing I had a camera in my hands. I'm extremely thankful I got this chance to grow as an artist and meet some wonderful people."