The apprenticeship project continues! In 9 days I will drive down to Washington DC to begin a 6-week internship with several DC area artists. Part of a year-long project that will keep daMuse on the road, as many of you already know my goal is to document the day-to-day life of the working artist.

I’m preparing for the 6+ hour drive – know any shortcuts?

I suppose I could have just planned a road trip to visit artists around the country, asking questions, taking lots of pictures, shooting video – but that felt incomplete. Instead, I wanted to develop a solid understanding of the how/why/when/what that makes this a well-lived life, so I am getting my hands dirty as an intern – in many cases jumping out of my comfort zone and into their studios, working in mediums unknown to these hands (like glass), sweeping floors, conditioning clay, gathering supplies – and whatever else they need me to do.

Dina Varano in her Connecticut studio

My first internship, with jewelry artist Dina Varano in Connecticut, was a quiet one, working in a studio nestled in the woods, away from the distractions of the outside world.

The DC internship promises to be a lively experience in an arts complex that is home to several busy studios and more than two dozen artists.  I will make sure I’m ready for the “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore” moment once I get there!

The main group of artists I will be working with are listed here today, but there are several others that I am excited about and I will introduce you to them as the internship progresses.

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I could not do this without the support of my readers.  Heartfelt thanks to those who already made a donation (and if you haven’t received your donor perks yet, please let me know).  For those of you just finding out about this project, you can read more about donor perks here.  I’m adding a new perk today – this time for a larger donation (but there are really cool perks for small donations too!).

Donate $250 and you will receive a bounty of good things (scroll down to the bottom of that page to see the perks for this donor level)

All donations are accepted and deeply appreciated – large OR small.  To make a donation in another amount, click here.

Read more about the artists in previous apprenticeship project posts here and here.

I can’t wait to share more about these wonderful artists and the life they have crafted! I’ll keep you ‘posted’. Have a great weekend!