Intern an asset to Mahoosuc Arts Council

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ART INTERN — Shelby Black is a senior majoring in museum studies at Elmira College in New York. She will be fulfilling her college internship with the Mahoosuc Arts Council (MAC) in Bethel. MAC Executive Director Aronka Matolcsy says Black will bring much-needed support to the council.

NORWAY — Shelby Black, of Norway, a senior majoring in museum studies at Elmira College in New York, has joined the Mahoosuc Arts Council (MAC) for an extensive internship that Executive Director Aronka Matolcsy says is sure to fulfill Black's degree as well as brighten the council's future.

"She's a very creative, independent thinker," says Matolcsy, "and those are the qualities we really need in an arts council." 

Since Black's internship began in April, Matolcsy says that Black has already "provided a tremendous amount of help." 

Black realized her lifelong passion for the arts when she fulfilled her high school internship with the Western Maine Art Group (WMAG) in 2008.

She says that she's always had an interest in art. "I used to dabble a lot in drawing and painting. A lot of my stuff is hanging in my father's high school in San Antonio. I've always just really had an unspoken traction for the arts in any way, shape or form."

"I believe I was born to work in the arts," says Black. "I have never wanted anything more, aside from meeting Johnny Depp. Of course, I truly had no idea how strong my passion for the arts was until I met Aranka Matolcsy five years ago."

At the time Matolcsy was the executive director of WMAG.

Black graduated from Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in 2008.

Her dream is to become a museum curator, she says, which requires a PhD. "I will go for my PhD, then shoot high for the Smithsonian –  or something like it."

Black's studies have taken her all over –  she has toured the Louvre in Paris, Prado and  Reina Sofia in Madrid, National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C, Boston Museum of Fine Arts and Witte Museum in San Antonio, TX. 

In 2007, she traveled to the British Isles as a student ambassador.

Black says that traveling the world has broadened her sense of arts and culture.

Along with the arts she also loves history. "I'm a history buff," she says.

"She already has an extensive knowledge and experience in ... the arts, coupled with excellent writing skills, excellent communication skills and computer skills," says Matolcsy.

"She is going to be capable of supporting just about anything I need, and that's huge for an intern."

A lot of times with interns, she says, "you can expect them to support simple administrative work" –   but Black has already done so much more.

"She will be able to provide a higher level of professionalism because of her experience," Matolcsy explains.

As an intern with MAC, Black will be assisting the Board of Directors, as well as Matolcsy, in a variety of tasks: writing press releases, doing research for grant projects and overseeing administrative and archiving projects. 

She will also assist with the 23rd Annual Bethel Art Fair July 7 and the 9th Annual ARTirondack Auction July 2. During these events, she will provide support for the new Mahoosuc Skye Celtic Series, the Bethel Summer Bandstand concert and more.

While this year will be her first year volunteering in Bethel, Black has volunteered for the Norway Arts Festival for the past three years.

"Working with this talented, young lady five years ago opened up new doors for me to explore as an arts professional in the important field of arts education," says Matolcsy. "I am certain working with her again will bring new opportunities to the council."

"Whatever Aronka needs help with, or whatever she throws at me, I am not only willing to do it, but I'm happy to do it," says Black.