Mario Almaraz '17, an art major, was awarded a prestigious Getty Multicultural Internship at the Center for the Study of Political Graphics (CSPG) this summer.
The CSPG, located in Culver City, archives more than 85,000 protest graphics from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. As an archive and research intern there, Almaraz will research and catalogue historical and contemporary social movement posters, help update the CSPG's online collection finding aid, and assist in exhibition research and development.
The Lincoln Heights native credits the College's art professors with giving him the depth of knowledge that helped him land the internship.
In particular, his opportunity to become a studio assistant to Associate Professor of Art Danny Jauregui provided Almaraz with valuable experience that "many internship positions" were looking for, he said. Almaraz called the studio assistantship "one of the best experiences I have had here at Whittier College."
"Under his wing, he has given me helpful advice and guidance which has lead me to where I am today," Almaraz said. "Not only that, as his studio assistant, I have gained many skills and experiences that I have been able to incorporate in my art and knowledge."
Almaraz also recently took a printmaking class with Visiting Assistant Professor of Art Sandy de Lissovoy, which further sparked his curiosity about printmaking. Almaraz was drawn to the large collection of political prints at CSPG, which houses the largest collection of post-World War II posters in the country.
Almaraz is no stranger to competitive art internships. Last summer he was took part in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) 2015 Summer Academy where he had a behind-the-scenes introduction to the curatorial process in a large art museum.
The Getty internship program supports full-time summer work opportunities for students from cultural backgrounds that are underrepresented in the museum and visual arts-related professions. Since the program was founded in 1993, the Getty Center, the Getty Villa, and 150 local arts institutions have hosted 3,000 interns.
Almaraz's Getty internship begins June 13.
