English and studio art major explores passion for artistic expression 

Jensen Kugler ’27, an English and studio art major at The College of Wooster, explored her passion for artistic expression through a summer internship that allowed her to collaborate with fellow artists. Kugler received an APEX Micro Fellowship to work at the Workhouse Arts Center, a Virginia-based center for arts and arts education that attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. She assisted both the workhouse’s marketing department in promoting center programming and the museum department in preparing projects at the Lucy Burns Museum, where visitors can uncover 91-years of prison history. Kugler’s internship at the workhouse drives her to keep seeking interaction with art and artists in her future career.  

“I loved exploring the human element of history—how real people were influenced and how they feel.” 

—Jensen Kugler ’27 

Q: How did you learn about the internship opportunity for your Micro Fellowship?  

Kugler: I researched art-related positions in my area. I was aware of this site specifically because I have visited and taken classes there before. Working at the Workhouse Arts Center allowed me to be around art and artists.  

Q: What interests you most about the work you did?  

Kugler: I enjoyed my work at the Lucy Burns Museum quite a bit. I completed research on a topic of my choice and curated an exhibit. It was exciting to explore the history of our site because as a former prison, there was a lot to explore. Daily tasks at the museum were usually research-related and daily tasks in the marketing department included posting event advertisements, taking photos, and creating graphics.  

Q: What are some skills you’ve learned that you see yourself carrying forward in your career? 

Kugler: I learned how to create content, curate exhibitions, and design websites. The experience helped me develop customer service and research skills.  

Q: How has the internship helped you to see what’s next for you?  

Kugler: This internship clued me to the fact that I do not want to work in marketing. I expected my tasks from the marketing department to be more graphic design-related than they were. I enjoyed my work in the museum more. I liked researching topics that interest me and interacting with people who have personal connections to the project. I loved exploring the human element of history—how real people were influenced and how they feel. Overall, my experience at the workhouse supported my intention to work in the arts. 

Posted in Experiential Learning, Showcase Stories 2024 on August 11, 2024.