For Indian Hill High School junior Iris Xu, a summer IH Experienceship internship through Indian Hill’s Entrepreneurs’ Center became much more than an opportunity to explore her passion for visual art—it opened the door to another experience that will soon put her artistic talents on display at one of Cincinnati’s largest arts and light festivals! Indian Hill Arts Conservatory Director Amy Clark sat down with Xu to learn more…

Amy Clark (AC): First, Iris – we are so proud of you! I understand your internship in art experience has a couple of layers. Let’s begin with you telling us about your IH Experienceship with 1001 Colors, a youth employment and arts-based workforce development organization that produces world class public art and creative projects.

Iris Xu (IX): We painted 13 four-by-four-foot panels and worked on a 3,000-square-foot mural using parachute cloth. The 13 panels were portraits of Tuskegee Airmen from Ohio, and the large mural was a portrait of two airmen who had a special story about how they met and helped each other throughout World War II.

AC: What was it like taking the artists’ designs and turning them into something on such a large scale?

IX: There were about five designers who created smaller versions, and then we had to scale them up. As long as you grid it and get the proportions right, it isn't too bad!

AC: That IH Experienceship led to another opportunity for you. How did that happen?

IX: They advertised it during one of our professional development days. It is another internship/apprenticeship where we are partnering with Pones. We will be performing in front of the mural The Commons by Shazia Sikander during BLINK, and we are choreographing our own group dance.

AC: So, this experience brings together several different art forms?

IX: Yes! We are choreographing the dance and making our own costumes, and then we'll perform it in front of the mural.

AC: How are you feeling about performing during BLINK?

IX: I'm kind of nervous. I do have experience performing but performing in front of a lot of people and not on a normal stage is kind of nerve-racking. But all of us are bonding really well, so I think it will be good to go through it together.

AC: When will audiences be able to see the performance?

IX: We will perform on October 10, and we'll basically be performing it again every few minutes as audiences come by.

AC: What would you say to other Indian Hill High School students about getting involved in the Entrepreneurs’ Center and doing an internship?

IX: Being involved in Experienceships allows you to explore many different areas of occupations. It can give you a more in-depth perspective of various topics, allowing you to learn more about yourself and what interests you.

Photo caption: Iris Xu with Amiya Sowell at 1001 Colors