Name and hometown?
Isabel Smith (she/her/hers). St. Augustine, Florida.
Class year and major/minor?
Class of 2024. Undecided but intended Communication Studies major, Gender and Sexuality Studies minor.
Did you do anything this summer or during quarantine related to the arts?
My parents are self-employed artists; my mom is a 2D mixed media artist and my dad manages the business and writes poems for each of my mom’s work. It wasn’t really a “job” per say, but I helped them where I could: curating social media posts, packaging art and taking it to the post office, and editing the website.
Why were you interested in interning with the galleries?
Art has always been a central theme in my life, and I wanted to keep the arts in my life in some capacity, because I don’t think I’ll major in it. The level of involvement interns have with the gallery—writing blog posts and artist bios, prepping for an exhibition—was amazing and something I really wanted to be a part of.
What role does art play in your life as a Davidson student? Do you see art playing a role in your life post-Davidson?
Besides working at the gallery, I try to make art as much as I can. Art plays a role in my life because it affects how I see the world, how I write, how I think. I want to keep art in my life post-Davidson whatever way I can.
Favorite sculpture on campus and why?
Yinka Shonibare’s Wind Sculpture (SG) I. Shonibare’s The Swing (After Fragonard) was one of my favorite works I learned about in Art History in high school, so when I found out this was also his work I kind of fangirled.
Hobbies?
Painting. Dance, especially ballet. Politics/Social Justice—I work for a Congressional campaign in my home district (remotely, obviously).
Little known fact about you?
My favorite holiday is Valentine’s Day.
If you could have a meal with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why?
Shel Silverstein. I’m just a big fan.