LAB 2024 - An Intern’s Perspective on LAB
Interview with LAB Interns Sofia Soler-Baillo, Tainá Rocha, and A’niyla Wright.
Founded in 2010, Locust Art Builders: Summer Art Intensive for Teens and the simultaneous LAB MFA exhibition, summer internships and teaching artist summer studio residency programs are a core component of Locust’s commitment to support and mentor the next generation of artists.
As part of this commitment we extend paid opportunities to high-school and college-level interns each summer to support the summer art intensive program. Interns are given project assignments during their time at Locust Projects Sofia and Tainá were tasked with documenting LAB over its five-week run and providing outsiders with a behind-the-scenes look at one of Miami’s most influential teen development programs.
Their final project, the 2024 LAB Documentary was shot and edited by Sofia, with supplemental interviews conducted by Tainá. Our third LAB Intern, A’niyla, joined the team to provide support for our incredible LAB Co-Directors, artists and educators, Loni Johnson and Chire Regans.
2024 Summer Interns From right to left: Emilio Sandoval, our researcher intern; Tainá Rocha; Dani Pearson; A’niyla Wright; and Sofia Soler-Baillo, our videography intern.
Tainá, thank you for your time. It has been a pleasure having you as one of our 2024 LAB interns. How did you learn about LAB and its internship? What made you want to be a part of the team?
T: I was a LAB student in 2023, so I was already aware of the internship opportunity and immediately planned on applying in the future. I wanted to be an intern because I really believe in what LAB is doing. I think it's so important to provide young artists with the space to collaborate and get their work out there.
A’niyla, you’ve been a delight in this program. LAB encourages collaboration and trust between its students. Do you think these young artists faced any challenges while bringing their exhibition to life?
A: Yes, I do. One of the main challenges was communication. They all had these different ideas and opinions that they wouldn't say until the last minute, causing frustration and stress in the group, along with a lot of confusion in the early production. Another challenge was figuring out the main theme and idea for the rooms and exactly how to display them.
CLICK IMAGE to scroll through images of students building the show and the final exhibition:
Being an intern, what was it like interacting with the LAB students? Did you give any input on the exhibition?
T: It was super rewarding to interact with the students. I was interested in hearing about the themes they’ve been exploring in their individual practice and how that relates to the final show. I really connected with the students planning on applying to art school and was able to give them some advice on what worked for me in my application process. When it came to the exhibition, it was exciting to observe rather than participate for once.
Sofia, as this year’s videographer you have been a tremendous help in documenting the program, and producing the documentary. How would you describe the students’ enthusiasm leading up to their final exhibition?
S: I think that everyone went through a similar experience when they first came to LAB, myself included. We’re all in a new environment meeting new people and learning new things. While behind the camera, I am not only documenting but observing how the students interact with one another. At first, everyone seemed to have low energy, but after some collaborative brainstorming, their enthusiasm came alive.
Has the experience of interning at Locust Projects provided you with any skills you will use in the future?
A: It has definitely taught me how important it is to speak up about certain things, even in art, a topic where the majority of its work describes feelings and opinions without words. It's also shown me how most things in the world come to be, like buildings and such, starting as little group ideas on a piece of paper to a giant physical product of creation.
As I understand, you are interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, do you believe programs like LAB are crucial in providing young artists with opportunities to explore the arts as a career?
S: It is important that young artists get an early understanding in collaboration and teamwork and that is one of the aspects the LAB program has provided. The program is not just about improving the artist as an individual but teaches them the innerworks within the art world and the importance of making connections.
CLICK IMAGE to scroll through images from the artist meet and greet and other activities done before building the show:
What did you think about the final exhibition “Land of the Free, Home of the Lost”?
S: After seeing the entire process, I thought the final exhibition turned out really well. Throughout documenting and recording, the students were able to take an empty room and build out their idea. I loved seeing all their work come together in considering the challenges they faced while brainstorming their idea .
See how it all turned out! Watch the final documentary produced by Sofia Soler-Baillo and Tainá Rocha below.
About the Interns
Sofia Soler-Baillo
Sofia is a rising junior at American University majoring in Business and Entertainment with a specialization in Film. In her freetime she likes to draw and write comics. As the event chairman for the District Cinema Club at her university, she brought her editing and videography skills to this documentary.
Tainá Rocha
Tainá Rocha is entering her second year at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts University, pursuing a BFA. Her practice focuses on sculpture and printmaking. As a past LAB student, she was eager to provide insight and installation support in this year’s program.
A’niyla Wright
A'niyla Wright is a rising sophomore at Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH) and is currently in the art strand of fashion design.
Thank you to all our interns! It’s been a pleasure to meet and work with you this summer. You are now official members of the Locust Projects family!
THE ARTISTS
Rosaly Almeida, Ksenia Armani, Jay Barkley, Melissa Briceno, Tai Campbell, Lada Chernous, Cami Davila, Emilio Ferrara, Alejandra Fidhel, Edgardo Giron, Julian Henriquez Vega, Sofiya Kushnarova, Ric Mondragon, Claudio Montiel, Veronica Olaciregui, Annatta Putlek, Samy Quintero, Dylan Rios, Adriana Sanabria, and Paloma Schiavone.
LAB INTERNS
Emilio Sandoval (New World School of the Arts and the University of Florida), Tainá Rocha (School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University), Dani Pearson (Miami Dade College), A’niyla Wright (Design and Architecture Senior High) and Sofia Soler-Baillo (American University).
SCHOOLS REPRESENTED
Don Soffer Aventura High School, Downtown Doral Charter Upper School, Hialeah Senior High School, Miami Arts Charter School, New World School of the Arts, TERRA Environmental Research Institute.
LAB CO-DIRECTORS & LEAD TEACHING ARTISTS
Loni Johnson and Chire Regans
Celebrating its 14th year in 2024, Locust Art Builders: Summer Art Intensive for Teens, aka LAB, is a unique five-week pre-college program for up to 30 high school students with an interest in art, design, and exploring creative careers as they collaboratively build an exhibition from scratch. 2024 LAB Co-Directors/Lead Mentor Artists: Loni Johnson and Chire Regans aka VantaBlack
2024 Locust Art Builders (LAB) Summer Art Intensive for Teens is made possible through lead support from The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, The Children's Trust; Susan and Richard Arregui, Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation, The Kirk Foundation, Miami Salon Group, Cowles Charitable Trust, and the Friends of the Next Generation for their invaluable contributions.