Katie Earle
Collections Intern | Fall 2010
Personal Statement
Life is funny. Who would have thought that pink, plastic Barbie camera my parents gave me for my fourth birthday would have such an impact on my life; that because of that camera, an interest would be sparked and drive me to pursue a life-long career in photography. From that age on, I knew it was something that I loved doing, but never thought that it would lead me here: to intern at the Joseph Saxton Gallery or to be studying photojournalism in school. To me, photography was just another way to express my artistic side, a side of me much greater than the logical and practical part of me.
The internship position was an outstanding opportunity for me to learn and meet people in the photography industry. It gave me an inside look at all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes of the gallery and gain a new found respect for the passion that goes into every one of the photographers' work. Being around the works of some of the most famous photographers in the world, inspired and helped me grow as a photographer myself. By the end of my time at the gallery, I had learned above and beyond what you could in school and was given hands on experience in the career field I want to pursue. In only a short time there, I was able to gain a wide range of knowledge and feel like a part of their hard working team. I honestly would not trade the experience I had there for anything.
Katie's Studies & Internship Experience
Katie's interests and studies are mainly focused in the art field: photojournalism, drawing, and painting. Her work as a photographer has grown and changed dramatically over the past few years to capture the raw essence of the moment. Her photography exhibits an edgy feel, in both her landscapes and portraits. As of late, Katie's work has been capturing people in their environment, or taking a subject out of his or her environment and placing them in one that reflects the opposite of their personality.
In her time at the gallery, Katie helped prepare and produce John Cohen's There is No Eye. This included framing and matting all of the work in the show, as well as taking inventory of the entire collection. Katie was pivotal in preparing the gallery's holdings for online representation, conducting extensive copy work and data acquisition service. In addition, Katie worked several First Friday events, setting up the gallery, and running the book store. Meanwhile, Katie studied at Kent State University and held down another job.
Katie was selected as a winner in the student category of the Joseph Saxton Gallery's illustrious Canton Luminaries Photography Competition, and received a Gold and Silver key in the Scholastic Photography Awards. In high school, Katie studied under Jeannene Mathis-Bertosa in Glen Oak's intensive three hour per day photography program, giving her a huge advantage over her peers.
