Getty Marrow Intern – Sharde’ Alexander

Hello everyone, my name is Shardé N. Alexander, I am Craft in America’s Getty Marrow Digital Media Intern for Summer 2020. I am a recent graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles where I majored in Art, with a concentration in Painting and New Genres, and minored in Film. Since graduating, I am now devoted to building my skills and gaining knowledge in the fields of art, production, and creative directing in hopes of opening my own production company. 

As a frequent crafter, when I received the news that I would be working with the Craft in America team I was excited to immerse myself in a space where I would be introduced to the array of craft artists around North America. As of today, I have completed my first week of interning and can happily say that I have already learned so much about how this nonprofit organization operates and what it stands for. By providing accessible information to the public through thorough research and documentation, I have learned that Craft in America shows an appreciation for an often-overlooked community of hardworking craft artists and makers with inspiring stories. 

With the broad range of artists that I am observing daily, I am not only advancing my skills in digital media, additionally, I am developing stronger interests in the concept of craft with a focus in basket weaving and embroidery. Strenuous, yet highly rewarding skills, these two styles are heavily rooted into my own culture of Gullah and I am excited to experiment and incorporate these practices into my own artwork. 

In this one week alone, with the help of a great team of people, I have already learned some of the many responsibilities that it takes to operate the digital side of Craft in America and am excited for what has yet to come. 

– Shardé N. Alexander