My name is Patty Mitchell. I am an Elmira native, a Finger Lakes fanatic, and a recent Mansfield University graduate. So what’s next? Almost every single family member, friend and stranger has asked me this since May. Well, as a young professional trying to find her place in this crazy, beautiful world, I’ve come across an exciting opportunity; a marketing internship at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning, NY. Basically, what I do is handle the social media presence, research target audiences for upcoming events, edit and redesign press kit materials, and so on. Because of my internship, I have a better insight to the stories that come with the building and artwork; I have grown to love western art, I shop at the Museum Shop, and I have attended some pretty fun events.
I did have the opportunity to go on an adult tour. Sounds boring, but it was awesome hearing the stories behind a lot of the pieces. I wish I appreciated all these stories when I visited as an elementary school student. For example, the famous “End of the Trail” sculpture was created by a European as a representation as the end of Native American way of life. In fact, a lot of the paintings of Native Americans and western scenery were created by Europeans. The thing is, European artists seriously glamorized these paintings. Other Europeans saw the art and thought the West was the BEST place in the world. Don’t get me wrong- I’m sure the West was and is amazing – but, like I said, all the pictures were glamorized. Hm…sounds like the media today. Those are just two super small stories within the Museum. An adult tour throughout the Museum really is fascinating or, in Myles’ words,
I’ve become obsessed with Western and Native American art. It really focuses on establishing identity and how there is so much more within than what shows on the outside. I think we all can relate.
I absolutely adore everything at the Museum Shop. My pay check is going right back to the Museum – ha! The Shop is very posh; you may have noticed, Native American prints and silver are pretty trendy right now!
I have been working (and playing) at events like Music, Margaritas and Sunsets. Let me give you a small description: delish margaritas, awesome performances by local musicians, and Mexican food better than Taco Bell. Wait – I get paid for this? Pardon my French, but I freakin’ love this place.
See amazing pictures of what I’m talking about here:
Myles Lasco
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