The Ebb and Flow

I've been at Manifest for four weeks now and am really becoming comfortable with how things are done here. I'm also beginning to get an idea of the cycle that occurs here at Manifest. During the two weeks or so that we transition from one show to the next, my duties include packing and unpacking art work, patching and painting walls, and thoroughly cleaning the gallery spaces and office area in preparation for the opening. During the four weeks when the show is up, my responsibilities shift to keeping Manifest tidy and orderly and talking to guests when they come to the gallery which I really enjoy.

In a typical week, I work Thursdays and Saturdays. Thursdays tend to be a little quieter than Saturdays so it is a good time to work on any special assignments I have and to do some cleaning where it's necessary. Saturdays are usually a more high-traffic day at the gallery, which I like. I’m not sure yet how much the weather affects attendance, but I might find out today; the weather has been pretty awful so far, although it might clear up some later.

Most Saturdays I work with Bruno, another intern, and we love talking to the guests about their reaction to the exhibit, what their favorite pieces are, if they visit Manifest often, etc. Bruno has been here quite a bit longer than I have, and he says that many people come in so frequently during the course of a show, that you begin to build relationships with them and get to know them and their tastes. These "regulars" are usually art enthusiasts, and their visits and our conversation together opens up an ongoing discourse that continues week to week.

My Miami instructor who is helping me get the most learning experience out of this internship posed a question on my last blog post about the impact Manifest has been able to make in the past 6 years since it was founded. How has it marketed itself and distinguished itself from other galleries? I already have some ideas about this, but in the next few weeks I will be thinking more about it and talking to my site supervisor, Tim, to gain more insight.