Mike Bolen Fine Arts/Intero Real Estate is a local Napa art gallery/real estate agency that I, Krystal Johnson, have completed my New Technology High School internship requirements. For my internship I had to complete a total of 50 hours of internship work and was also provided with objectives that my supervisor and I had collaborated to create. My supervisor was Katrina Giacalone, manager at Mike Bolen Fine Arts/Intero Real Estate. Katrina was an amazing person to work with, I'm pleased to have had the privilege to work with such an accomplished and hard working woman; and honestly must admit that she had become an inspiration for my future aspirations. As well as learning from her in the workplace, I feel that Katrina has helped me to become a strong independent woman like herself.

My position was to be a substitute secretary at the front desk. The objectives were as follows; 1. Learn sales by approaching and speaking to prospective buyers. 2. Create market package 3. Learn how to identify work/art medium and artist's approach. 4. Contribute to a safe, healthy, and positive work environment as well as learning the responsibilities and tasks involved in the common workplace.

The first thing I did at my internship was learning about the artist's that were being displayed in the gallery; this displays the curricular literacy involved in my job at Mike Bolen Fine Arts/Intero Real Estate and without this information I would not be able to complete any of the other objectives I had been given. There was a surplus of information on every artist they have had in the gallery. I enjoyed learning about the bizarre mediums the artists would use and their reasoning behind it was a lot more surprising. Some artists painted only to create movement, change, or revolution, and other artists paint to create inspiration, beauty, and aesthetic appreciation.

After learning everything I could about each artist in the gallery, I was set at the front desk and told to do my stuff; they wanted to see how I would greet each prospective buyer as they entered the gallery. When people had entered the gallery I was kind and I told them that if they had any questions about any piece of art that they could confide in me for the answers; this displays the oral communication in my job, as well as career preparation and both of these traits are very important in the professional world. I felt confident and knowledgeable enough that I could answer any question someone had about the art.

I was surprised to find that each person who walked in the gallery had more interest in my personal life than the art that was being displayed. It was fun to learn about the people that came into the gallery, I enjoyed talking to the tourists about where they had been and what their country is like.

At the front desk, I was given little tasks to occupy my time. There were stickers that needed to go on coffee cups and magazines as well as printing jobs and copies to be made. My favorite task would have to be the creation and editing of the advertisement they have had for years. When I started this task, I obviously had more knowledge than the original creator. There were two simple colors and the entire layout was confusing and in no way modern. With my acquired knowledge in computer technologies I had not only created a modernized aesthetically pleasing brochure, but I made it easier to edit as well as compatible for black and white ink.

Overall I think my learning experience at Mike Bolen Fine Arts/Intero Real Estate has been positive. I had over exceeded my objectives and even made some new friends. I have learned about local artists and why certain artists use certain mediums or colors for emotion. I feel that everything I have acquired from this internship will help me in my future aspirations which is the best thing for me because I plan to graduate and succeed.