Arte Américas-Gabe Ramirez, Week 1

 Hey everyone! My first day at my Arte Américas internship was July 5th and housing with the director of the museum definitely gave me some extra housing to what goes on in the Museum. I was introduced to the Arte staff and they're the nicest bunch of folk ever. They've all taken turns showing different places and things I'd have to do. I got to explore the storage rooms and what they call the "Ghost Room," so no one ever really goes to the storage rooms by themselves because it's honestly really scary. I was able to learn more about the Boom Oaxaca Exhibit and there was a lot of artwork featuring farm workers by Narsiso Martinez. This exhibit itself has honestly been the form of storytelling that helped me get a grasp of the Latinos that work in the fields.

Narsiso Martinez art work

A portion of the "Ghost" room


I was in charge of setting up for some events, receiving and helping take attendance of the children that come and leave for the summer camp at Arte Américas. Help the cook set up lunches for 30-40 kids. I've learned and worked at the front desk while also answering phone calls. I've cleaned up before and after events help at the museum and completed some basic paperwork assigned to me. There is a lack of employees at the museum, so the few staff are always working and putting in their best selves into the museum. But I've been privileged enough to be able to do all these things and I've gotten so much different experiences in different aspects of the museum. The museum is smaller than others, so I've been able to be more intimate with the projects I've been in. In the summer program, Arte Américas has 4 different classes and every teacher has a unique way of educating the kids. This community outreach to the kids has been so wholesome and so many kids love the program so much that they come for the next session which really opens up my eyes to the importance of putting our efforts into the kids. I feel like this particular experience really aligns with the Washinton Week experience because it gives the kids a Latino emerged experience while also interacting with art and other kids.


Set up for lunchtime


I also completed and enjoyed the Fresno Story Time. There were little kids that were curious about Latinos and others who were interested in what activism was. I had to really simplify and summarize a lot of the stories because a lot of the kids were very small. And out of all the activities, the puzzle was their favorite. It was so fun doing it because they were all stressing out to finish so they called their parents to help out too. Even I had to help out.

Story Time


My first week was great. It was really tiring because I often stayed after hours to help out with the extra events that the museum holds. But overall it's been a massive insight into how much effort goes into a museum and community outreaching, not to mention the employees and volunteers are the best. 

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