For the internship I completed between my junior and senior years of high school, I had

no idea what to expect. I interned at the Maui Art Lab under a wonderful mentor, Tasha Compos,
the owner of Maui Art Lab. During the summer months, Maui Art Lab offers summer camps for
kids ages 6 through 15. My internship would include me acting as a camp counselor while
simultaneously learning more about careers in art. Seeing as art is my lifelong passion, I set out
to learn more about it at Maui Art Lab. My time at the lab taught me that although I want to
pursue an art career, I’d prefer to not work on a schedule. My biggest takeaway from my
internship was that my artistry does not work on a clock. I find motivation and inspiration to be
creative at all hours of the day, I cannot force myself to be creative for a 9 to 5. Forcing my
artistry into a schedule would reduce my artwork’s potential. Maui Art Lab helped me be excited
about making art again. Even if I was technically on a schedule, the children I assisted weren’t,
which was exciting to watch.
I spent the days at my internship assisting children with their artwork, cleaning up after
messy projects, putting away supplies, and more. Although it was an internship, it felt like
starting at a new job. Before beginning the internship, I had an interview with Ms. Compos as
well as a training/orientation. It was good practice for life outside of high school, getting a taste
of what it’s like in the “real world.” The days at Maui Art Lab were busy but equally
exhilarating. In the mornings and in between camps, Ms. Compos would go over the plan for that
day. Over my two weeks at the art lab, I met and connected with over 30 kids. Each child had an
entirely different style or idea from the child across or next to them.
Throughout the entire internship, I worked with a small team. For both weeks, I worked
under, as well as with Ms. Compos. Over the weeks, I worked with classmates who ranged in
familiarity. It was exciting to figure out how to work as a team, playing to our strengths and
handling the large group of children together. Through working in this new environment, I feel
as though my interpersonal skills were largely developed. I also had to interact with the children
themselves, directing them through their artwork and showing them my tips and tricks. My
communication skills were especially helpful at the art lab. I even became a friend or role model
to the children, which felt strangely rewarding. Sometimes, a child would have an off day where
they didn’t feel like participating. Other times, a child would get upset over a mistake they made
on their artwork and feel the need to start all over. Every day at the art lab was different from the
last. My thinking and problem-solving skills were useful when handling the daily, small hurdles
and mishaps.
As for my personal internship goals, I believe I met them, although not in the way I
originally thought I would. My original goal was to learn more about art through Ms. Compos. I
also wanted to see what it was like to have an art career. I didn’t learn much about Ms. Compos’s
career history, but I learned what her day-to-day activities at the lab included. It was equally
inspiring. However, I felt that I met my goal more through the children at the art lab, which was
a pleasant surprise. Each child had such original and interesting ideas since they were simply
happy to be making art. Some children liked the more physical, messy projects, while others
preferred the simple painting and drawing projects. Each child held their pencil differently, or
preferred the blue paint over the red paint, or drew a circle counter-clockwise instead of
clockwise. It was exciting to learn from the kids, hear their new ideas, and watch as they came to
fruition on the art lab table before them.
Switching places with the children and becoming one of the instructors at the art camps I
used to look up to, was an incredible full-circle experience. Personally, it was the most valuable
aspect of my experience at Maui Art Lab. Although some days were difficult, namely when we
decided at the last minute to make slime without any proper slime-cleaning tools, it still ended up
being one of my favorite days at the lab. Even past my high school years, I will carry my
experience at Maui Art Lab with me for the rest of my life. Maui Art Lab has helped prepare me
for a career in art and any challenges it may bring along the way.