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A serious photographer, Davita Crawford ’05 (West Orange, N.J.) learned about the life of a freelance artist by spending three days with quilt artist Carolyn Lee Thrasher Vehslage ’83 at her studio in Erial, N.J. A former computer consultant, Vehslage creates art quilts and web sites and writes for art publications.
Crawford was among about 200 Lafayette students who gained first-hand knowledge of the professional world in January. They served externships with alumni and other experienced professionals in business, the arts, education, healthcare, law, engineering, science, government, non-profits, and other fields. The students observed work practices, learned about careers they may consider entering after college, and developed professional networking contacts.
A double major in art and biology, Crawford and another student learned about the life of a freelance artist and how to set up a gallery exhibit, and wrote an essay about Vehslage’s art collection.
“We were pretty much looking into what she does — what is done day-to-day, how to get your work photographed to send out slides,” she says. “I started making a quilt. It was new to me. I knew about quilts but not quilt art.”
Vehslage’s art can be unusual, sometimes incorporating melted-down computer parts or computer wires. Even so, she feels that her strengths are more conventional — sales and business skills from her 15 years in the computer field.
“I talked to her quite a lot about the business aspect,” says Vehslage, an economics & business and computer science graduate.
Crawford says some of the information related to the work of a photographer, such as the applications, insurance, and information write-up required for a gallery exhibition. She adds that the experience was also helpful as she tries to decide whether to pursue a career in medicine or art.
Vehslage got involved in the externship program to share knowledge with art majors.
“I’m at a good point, living the best life I could live, and feel that I have something to offer the students,” she says. “I enjoy the mentoring process. I know it’s important for art majors to see how an artist works and how it fits in with their lifestyle.”