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Makayla Davis, Public and University Programs Intern
Oct 24, 2019
Public and University Programs intern Makayla Davis spoke to other Wex interns about what it’s like to work within an extraordinary team aimed at advancing contemporary art on campus, in Columbus, and beyond. Here's a look into what life is like for two of our 2019–20 university interns.
Makayla Davis is a third-year undergraduate student at Ohio State studying Landscape Architecture in the Knowlton School with a minor in African American and African Studies. She is involved on campus as an ambassador for the School of Architecture, the event coordinator for the school’s nationwide service group SERVitecture, the secretary of Ohio State’s Student Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and she is a Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship recipient.
What drew you to an internship at the Wex? Personally, I came from a fine arts background. During high school, I made the switch over to graphic design, and I knew I wanted to pursue that in college. But the Wex… really drew me in because... it supported the arts community, and art is something that is still important within my heart…[It was] perfect, knowing I could experience both art and design in one job. I knew I wanted to keep art a part of me and be active within the community as well, despite being consumed by design most of the time.
What do you enjoy most about your internship? I get lots of hands-on experience with design, and being able to see my work displayed in public brings me so much joy, knowing my work is out there and [that] I’m doing things for the community and for other people. Also, designing to promote all these incredible events and artists and performances [is] really awesome to me, and it makes me feel happy to be supporting other creatives.
What is a day at work like for you? I’m sitting behind the computer most of the time, but it’s never boring. There’s always something to do, and I always enjoy… what I’m doing. I work on a lot of event materials. I work on monthly posters that you see in the poster boxes, and I… get a preview of upcoming Wex events.
What are your hobbies and passions outside of work and school? There’s a lot that I love doing, and I wish I had more time to invest in my hobbies. But I love cooking. I love watching movies. I love reading.
Favorite thing about the Wex bookstore? It’s got some of my favorite artists’ books in it… But they always have a hefty price, so I just look through them once in a while and never buy them… There’s actually been a book in there that I’ve been eyeing for two years. It’s a collection of photographs by my favorite photographer, Ren Hang… Maybe one day I’ll buy it.
What TV or movie character do you most relate to? I think I relate the most to Raven from the OG Teen Titans. She seemingly comes off as pessimistic but deep down she's really loving and cares a lot about the people around her. I really vibe with her character, and I think we both share a similar aura and introverted quality.
What drew you to an internship at the Wex? I became obsessed with the Wex my freshman year, to put it frankly. When I visited Ohio State for the first time, I saw the Black Mountain College exhibition here, which was one of the most amazing exhibitions I’ve seen at the Wex. And after that, I just returned again and again. The public programming at the Wex is especially incredible. I’ve always enjoyed the exhibitions and the opportunities here for students.
What do you enjoy most about your internship? Working with student outreach is especially important to me… I support the Student Engagement Group at the Wex, so collaborating with and creating opportunities for students at the Wex is a really new part of my job, but one that’s really fulfilling. Planning the Fall Student Party as well is a lot of fun.
What is a day at work like for you? It usually starts with coffee. Answering emails. Running back and forth from the dock to pick up marketing and outreach materials, which is fun… [I] contribute to outreach plans and schedules among many other things. I never have an average day. It changes with what’s happening at the Wex.
What are your hobbies and passions outside of work and school? I feel like my hobbies and passions are connected to school because I integrate them with my academics and social life. But photography and art, obviously, are things that I am very passionate about. I study photography. I have about, technically, two minors worth of credits in the art department because I just can’t stop. I have nothing but good things to say about the incredible faculty in the art department here.
Favorite thing about the Wex book store? I think my favorite things are the postcards that change with the exhibitions. I always buy a few of those.
What TV or movie character do you most relate to? That’s a hard one… OK, I binged Fleabag over the summer… I’m not Fleabag, and I don’t wanna be Fleabag, but I’m just gonna say Fleabag.
