Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery (ABBG) has enjoyed, what I would characterize as a very gratifying two plus years in our present location at 1410 Main Street in Historic Over-the-Rhine Arts district.

I cannot overstate that a very significant portion of our success has been due to the contributions of a succession of extremely talented and dedicated interns. I’m going to go against this convention and acknowledge them all by name. All the while realizing that it is impossible to express my gratitude enough for the impact these young people have made on the daily operations of Art Beyond Boundaries. They have come to us from Xavier University, University of Cincinnati, Antonelli College, Cincinnati State and South Korea. Many have continued to be a source of pride for us as they have moved on to the next plateau of their development.

Our intern program began with Kristen Olsen, Fine Arts major from University of Cincinnati, now doing graduate studies in Cleveland. Kristen set the bar high for those to follow in her stead. She excelled in every aspect of operations of the gallery.

When Kristen’s term was up, she left a void that seemed almost audible. Then a bright-eyed Lily Jensen, wandered in off the street one Final Friday evening. The impromptu interview of this Xavier art student began our valued relationship with their Art Department. With Lily began the concept of “intern ownership”. As Lily’s term ended she began recruiting her own replacement. She was determined to find someone who would continue the tradition of commitment and excellence she and Kristen had begun. That effort was very successful. The next intern was also a Xavier student. A design major, Katie Fortune. Katie was our summer intern who wasn’t even getting credit in school for her work here. Katie took our design quotient up a notch for sure, while she also immersed herself in the exhibition preparation and management aspects of Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery.

At summer’s end, she and Lily (who continued to participate in Final Friday and 2^nd Sunday events whenever her schedule permitted) were ‘advocates’ of ABBG on Xavier’s campus. Their intern experiences at Art Beyond Boundaries have inspired a continued interest from Xavier Art students.

With the intent of expanding our available talent pool, an intern team concept was considered. In response to our next call for interns ABBG was literally bombarded with e-mails and calls. The most ironic being an Antonelli College student who was actually trying to find a place to show her own work. It resulted in an interview that culminated in 19-year-old multi-talented Erin Jackson becoming our youngest intern.

From across town, U.C. fine art student Robin Mckerrell happened into ABBG on a whim. She later stated, “ I knew I had to be a part of this!” A gifted fine art student with exceptional design sense and extraordinary software skills made Robin unique. Robin and Erin were soon joined by design student Monica Laake and fiber artist Caitlin Mours, both Xavier students.

Monica’s talent was rewarded with a Disney Scholarship and cut her time with us short. We all missed her. The dedicated Caitlin was with us longer than any other intern. She was involved intimately with every aspect of gallery operations. The vacancy left by Monica was soon filled with another Fine Art student from the University of Cincinnati’s D.A.A.P. program , Kari Jutte. She and Cincinnati State’s Kelly Hinners made places for themselves immediately. Along with learning gallery preparation, Kari specialized in website management and Kelly went on to work at our host organization, Center for Independent Living Options (CILO).

Presently continuing the tradition of excellence, is design “whiz kid” Jenna Zavala, a design student who first visited ABBG last summer. Also from Xavier, is web master, Kari Weingartner; both were recruited by two former ABBG interns from Xavier. Rounding out our 2009 summer team is U.C fine art student Chelsea Baker, a natural generator of ideas. And last but not least is our international contribution to diversity Ji Yeon Yoon from South Korea. Ji is a talented visual artist who provides us with an innovative visual prospective and aesthetic. By the time Ji leaves, I venture to say that she will probably have taught us far more than she has learned from us.

Throughout the past two years these students have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help make Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery a recognized name in the local Arts community as well as spread its reputation globally. They have all been a blessing for which I will be eternally grateful.

Lily Jensen

To be part of the Art Beyond Boundaries team is to be welcomed into a beautifully diverse creative family. As an intern there, I was exposed to contemporary exhibition practices and was given the opportunity to design flyers and invitations for upcoming shows. Working under Mr. Bolden and alongside a group of dedicated volunteers was not only fun, but also fulfilling and illuminating. After a few exhibition openings, I really began to see how valuable this gallery is, as it provides so many people with opportunities to express themselves artistically. These experiences at Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery have given me a greater understanding of the contemporary art world, of my own role within that world, and have bore witness to the importance of artistic self-expression in peoples' lives. I am incredibly thankful and lucky to have been given the opportunity to work as part of the ABB team.