Today is my last day interning for whitespace and as I sit in the gallery surrounded by Matt Haffner’s work I find great appreciation in the wide range of art I have been introduced to over the past few months.  I first encountered whitespace this past January when Beth Lilly’s photographs were on display.  The opportunity to attend Lilly’s artist talk and speak with her individually broadened my understanding of photography.  The following exhibit, Build a Fire by Pete Schulte, spoke to my interest in architecture and design.  Schulte intended for each work displayed to function as a complement to whitespace’s structure and interior.  PATH by Nicole Livieratos, currently on display in whitespec, has opened up the world of installation art to me.  Livieratos, inspired by dance, has created a space that engages visitors with text and motion.  After spending time with such a variety of exhibits, I feel confident about confronting a form of art I am less familiar with.

Reflecting on the shows and artists I have encountered over the past few months emphasizes the amazing quality and breadth of work that whitespace displays.  It was an incredible experience to survey each show on my own and then have the opportunity to pick each artist’s brain.  I found myself beginning conversations with artists with a lot of very specific questions about the purpose and meaning of every little detail of their work.  Over the course of many conversations I began to understand that while these artists do have specific inspirations and intentions there is not necessarily a right or wrong interpretation of each work.  Whitespace is meant to facilitate discussion about the art on display in order for individuals to come to their own unique conclusions.

Coming to this understanding about whitespace leaves me with an enhanced curiosity for all forms of art.  As I wrap up my internship with whitespace, I am preparing to begin architecture school.  I think my time at whitespace has served as a nice transitional period between my undergraduate liberal arts experience to a more focused, design-intensive graduate program.  My experiences at whitespace give me confidence that I will be able to engage with any form of art or design I encounter in my future endeavors.

Thank you whitespace!

–Margaret Gregg

Photo Courtesy of Erin Branch