Guest Blog by Katherrin Billordo ’26:
Note: The MCS NYC Summer Internship Program is generously funded by the Harvard Club of New York Foundation.
This past summer, I completed two part-time art internships that deepened my understanding of the contemporary art world and refined my own artistic vision. I worked at GRAY Gallery, formerly known as Richard Gray Gallery, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and at Josiah McElheny’s studio in Brooklyn. He’s a glass, fiber, and conceptual artist and MacArthur Fellow. For several years, I have been developing my practice as a painter, sculptor, and curator, yet I had never worked directly under a practicing artist or within a leading contemporary gallery. My motivation in pursuing these opportunities was to gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of the art world. I wanted to understand how artworks move from conception to exhibition, how galleries engage with collectors and institutions, and how artists sustain their creative practices within an ever-evolving market.
At GRAY Gallery, I was exposed to the complexities of gallery operations and the nuances of client and institutional engagement. I assisted with art market research, helped prepare works for sale and exhibition, and attended board of trustee events where I observed firsthand the interplay between cultural vision and financial sustainability. These experiences sharpened my appreciation for the gallery’s pivotal role in shaping artistic discourse while also serving as a bridge between artists, institutions, and audiences. At Josiah McElheny’s studio, I witnessed the creative process at its source. One of the most meaningful moments of the summer came when I participated in restoring a twelve-foot sculpture that had been acquired by The Whitney Museum. Contributing to a project destined for one of the world’s most prestigious museums was both humbling and inspiring. It show me the lasting impact that artistic labor (often invisible to the public) can have when it enters the canon of cultural history. I also assisted in assembling glass artworks bound for the London Frieze Art Fair, an experience that taught me how meticulous craftsmanship, conceptual rigor, and logistical precision converge in the production of art. Beyond these projects, I also grew through countless gallery visits, stimulating conversations with international artists and curators, and moments of creative clarity that informed my own artistic practice.
I left the summer with a deeper appreciation for how ideas evolve from studio to gallery, to museum, and ultimately to private collections. More importantly, I learned about myself: that I thrive in environments that balance creativity with discipline, and that my long-term goals will likely bridge my passion for making art with my interest in shaping the institutions and networks that sustain it. As I reflect on this summer, I feel an immense sense of gratitude. These internships were not only career-defining opportunities but also deeply personal experiences that affirmed my commitment to a life in the arts. I am endlessly thankful to the donors who made this experience possible. Your investment in students like me has a transformative ripple effect: it nurtures young artists, strengthens the cultural ecosystem, and ensures that future generations can continue to create, preserve, and share important unique art.
