Meet Krystal, Our 2019 Getty Marrow Intern

Hello Craft lovers & friends! My name is Krystal Ramirez and I am this summer’s Getty Marrow curatorial intern for Craft in America Center. I am currently a student at the University of California, Riverside going into my final year of undergraduate studies. I will be receiving my Bachelors of Art in Art History & Administrative Studies with a concentration in Finance next spring. My short term goals include pursuing a Masters degree, working as a curator at a contemporary institution, and starting an art collective.

Today marks the end of my first week at the Center, and as someone who is new to the craft world, I have already learned so much about the overall intricacies of craftwork. I am lucky to have began this internship while two extraordinary exhibitions are up on display: Karyl Sisson: Fissures & Connections and Excellence in Fibers. These shows have given me a great introduction to craftwork, specifically in regards to materials and techniques that some artists use. These shows have also been a huge inspiration to my creativity, and have contributed to teaching me how to appreciate craft.

As someone who has been involved in the local contemporary art scene, I have never really explored craft until now. I had never realized before how involved craft art has been in contemporary art, yet how underrepresented these thoughtful and labor-intensive works tend to be. Being at the center has taught me much about the process and journey of creating craft pieces. I now know how to view craftworks in the way they should be, and now even have a personal interest in craft- and it has only been a week!

My biggest takeaway this week has been everything I’ve learned about craft art and the Center. I cannot wait to familiarize myself more with craft work, along with learning about the tasks and responsibilities of being a curator at a small nonprofit organization like Craft in America. Come stop by the Center this summer if you can to test me on my knowledge of all things Craft in America!

– Krystal R. 🙂