Our programs are made possible by dedicated interns, volunteers, and mentors who give their time, enthusiasm, and creative talents to Oakwood Arts. As one-on-one mentors, they play a vital role in bringing our mission to life. Here at Oakwood Arts, we try to give our interns, mentors, and volunteers creative career opportunities so they can continue to experience growth.
CURRENT OAKWOOD ARTS INTERNS and Apprentices
Coby Flanagan (Registered Apprentice) is a recent Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) graduate, who earned his Bachelors of science in Mass Communications. His passions include mentoring and film/photography. He has been fortunate enough to shoot concerts for artists like Father Mc, Jodeci, and Boyz II Men. His end goal is being an owner of an entertainment/media organization. For now he’s focused on expanding his skills, creating more content with others, and learning more about the industry.
Antonio Smith (He/Him) is a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University studying mass communications with a concentration in media production. Antonio has a passion for filmmaking and cinematography. He has shot multiple short films, music videos, and modeling videos, worked on set with companies like Manscaped and Relay, and even had the opportunity to have his work shown in museums like the Hirshhorn in Washington, D.C. He has joined Oakwood Arts in his journey to learn more about film and expand his opportunities and connections.
Bethany Blalock (she/her) is a senior at VCU working towards a degree in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. She is particularly interested in creative expression through photography, filmmaking, and traditional artwork. She is devoted to feminist theory and practice in projects that contribute to community improvement, raise consciousness, dismantling systems that reinforce oppression, and diversity and better representation in the public/professional sphere. She hopes to expand her professional experience in the media industry and build a variety of skills towards creative career opportunities.
Camille Jones (She/Her) is a recent VCUart graduate, graphic designer, and painter with a flair for the “unconventional”. Her work centers around combining elements of photo collage, bold and distinct typography, and original illustration. This is her second experience working as a design intern at a non-profit organization. She aspires to expand her skills into the editorial, branding, and packaging design industry soon.
Emily Alonso (she/her) is a photographer and filmmaker based in Richmond, VA. She is a recent Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, earning her BFA in Photo + Filmmaking, with a concentration in filmmaking. She has experience as a writer, director, and photographer and looks forward to a future working in the industry, both on personal projects and in helping others produce their own. Her first passion may be in visual storytelling but with Oakwood Arts, Emily hopes to gain more experience in community building and outreach through the arts.
Jacob Simmons (He/Him), a senior studying Cinema at Virginia Commonwealth University. With experience as a Writer and Director, Jacob’s art is heavily inspired by the emotions present in relationships, specifically uplifting stories and experiences that he feels are underrepresented in the media. From Oakwood Arts he hopes to increase his leadership skill-set as well as gain industry filmmaking experience.
Joseph Walker (he/him) is a student pursuing a bachelor's degree in Communication arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. His interests include illustration, music video production, and character design. He is currently building his own art business in addition to founding an art collective, collaborating with other visual artists and musicians to create and sell artwork. In the future he plans to publish an original comic, in addition to creating a media production and sponsorship organization. While at Oakwood Arts, he is looking forward to gaining professional, hands-on experience in the art industry, along with meeting and working with other interns and senior artists.
Zack Kongolo (He/Him) is currently a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University working towards a BFA in Communications with a focus on Media Production. He has a passion for photography and film and aims to make a career doing the two. He has worked as an events photographer and has made multiple short films and documentaries. While at Oakwood, he aims to learn more about the intricacies of the film world while honing and expanding his skillset.
Yuna Lee is currently a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University and working towards a BFA in Kinetic Imaging with a minor in Sound Design. Her passions include filmmaking, sound design, and animations. With most of her experience being in dance videography, she hopes to not only expand her current skill set but also gain hands-on experience with Oakwood Arts in the art industry.
Interested in an
Oakwood Arts Internship?
Fill out our internship application and send an email with a brief statement of interest to admin@oakwoodarts.org
PAST INTERNS
Catori Ryan (she/her) is a Sophomore at Virginia Tech majoring in cinema/film production. Her passions include cinematography, story writing, as well as directing. Catori hopes to gain hands-on experience in the world of film as well as learn information outside of the classroom about her passions. She has previous experience with filmmaking, editing, and producing, as well as event planning with the Verde Film Festival. In the future, she hopes to work on big film productions as a creative and storyteller.
Ashley Davis (They/them), is an undergraduate student attending VCUarts majoring in both Photo/Film & Painting/Printmaking. Ashley hopes to gain more experience in the film industry through Oakwood Arts but film is not their only passion. Others include visual arts, music/band, photography, and writing. In the future, they want to become a screenwriter and cinematographer as well as a member of the Blumhouse production team.
Meet Isaac Martin (he/him), he is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University studying Media Production. Isaac is passionate about documentary filmmaking and is working on becoming an independent filmmaker focused on telling stories about nature and culture. He is knowledgeable about a variety of cameras and is experienced in leading small production teams. He is excited to learn about the inner workings of Oakwood Arts, how to write grants, and how to create a pitch deck
Ryan Beike (he/him) is a student attending Virginia Commonwealth University who is working towards a bachelor's of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. He enjoys drawing and animating characters from pop culture, anime, and video games. He would like to become an animator in the future and work on well-known and popular shows. He hopes to gain hands-on experience with Oakwood Arts in the graphic design field.
Janelle Ragland currently studies International Social Justice Studies with a minor in Nonprofit Management at Virginia Commonwealth University. Janelle aims to work at a nonprofit organization that incorporates the arts on an international level, combining two of her greatest passions. Janelle is beginning her nonprofit journey through a General Administration/ Nonprofit Management internship at Oakwood Arts. "I really love how the organization is so community-based and focuses on being that creative outlet for humans of all ages. I find it fascinating that Oakwood Arts has found a way to be there for children and adults in such an artistic way that guides individuals to find their inner artist that they didn't know existed!"
Alyssa (Lissy) Moore is currently a graphic design student at Virginia Commonwealth University. Alyssa hopes to gain more hands-on experience with Oakwood Arts within the graphic design field. Alyssa enjoys photography, character design, and painting with acrylic. In the future, Alyssa wants to be a creative art director working with music videos within the entertainment industry as well as packaging design for albums.
The name’s Cameron Skinner but you can call her Cammie! She’s a recent graduate from Midlothian High and currently deferring her admission into college this year. Cammie hopes to gain hands-on experience within the industry she’s dreamed about being a part of. While this is her first time fully working with Oakwood Arts, she has gotten to participate in a few of our programs in the past. She also has a hand in photography and enjoys taking photos, especially nature ones. Beyond skills behind the camera, Cammie also has experience in the performing arts. She has been a part of choir throughout middle school and high school and while she’s been in productions prior, her first time really being part of a show was in last year's High School production of Mamma Mia.
Natalie Jones-Coleman is a high school graduate from Virginia Virtual Academy. She plans to attend VCU school of arts in the Fall of 2024. She’s been attending programs and events with Oakwood Arts since the 8th grade. Natalie loves art and sewing, and also enjoys photography and working with her hands. She hopes to help in opening minds to the wonders of art and crafts, and the beauty you can capture with a camera.
Saba Jana-Worku started with Oakwood Arts as a FAMM participant in 2021. She recently joined Oakwood Arts as an Arts and Tech intern in the fall of 2023. She is interested in broadening her horizons in the film industry. This opportunity to learn more about film production is what brought her to Oakwood Arts. She looks forward to learning more about it and gaining more experience on sets.
Lucy Carr is a photographer and filmmaker based in Richmond, VA. She is currently pursuing a BFA in photography and film at VCUarts and has also studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Lucy is starting as a filmmaking intern at Oakwood Arts for the fall of 2023 where she looks forward to working with photography and film in a professional setting.
Walker Moore is a VCUarts undergrad in the Photography + Film department with a concentration in film. Starting at Oakwood Arts in Fall 2022 as the filmmaking intern he edits and films video content for Oakwood Arts. He also assists on Photo Mondays teaching kids how to further their skills behind the camera. His passion for photography started around the same age as most of the students on Photo Mondays and lead him to his goal of becoming a director of photography.
Elise Markle is a VCUarts undergrad in the Communication Arts department. Elise began at Oakwood Arts in summer 2023 to work on a short film project as she hopes to find a career in the film industry. Now, her primary focus at Oakwood is graphic design.
Kayla Davis is an undergraduate at Virginia Commonwealth University's PhotoFilm department with a concentration in film. Kayla has joined Oakwood Arts for the summer of 2023 as a filmmaking intern where she will learn more about the filmmaking process and hone her skills. Film has been a passion of hers since a young age. She is interested in sound design, all aspects of filmmaking, and animation. Her goal is to be a well-rounded professional in the industry and eventually join a traveling film company.
Sam Simpson, a senior at Open High School, is at Oakwood Arts as an intern for the summer of 2022. He spent a year studying TV and Media Production and Graphic Imaging at the Richmond Technical Center.
Jasmine Bonner grew up in Newport News, Virginia. They graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Photography + Filmmaking. They hope to diversify the photography community and give voice to those not thoroughly represented. Their time at OA was spent working on organizing photography databases.
Erich Hoch is an artist and filmmaker from the Washington D.C. area based in Richmond, Virginia. His thesis narrative short film, Bill Bonney ETC, was shot at Oakwood Arts. he latter interned with OA working on all of our film related needs and programming.
Liv Taylor joined Oakwood Arts as a program intern in 2021, spending most of her time focused on our Photo Mondays after-school club and F.A.M.M. summer camp. Liv also continues her involvement with us as an OA JET participant.
Simi Jung, a Bonner Scholar, interned with us in 2020 working on general administrative assistance and grant writing.
Jonah Hadari began interning with us in 2021 as a programs assistant where he virtually interviewed folks in the film industry to learn more about creative choices made by the filmmakers. As well as assisted in teaching. Jonah continues his involvement with us as an OA JET participant. Jonah is now a sophomore studying Film at Emerson.
Marissa Alper interned with Oakwood arts in 2018-2019 and assisted in teaching an intro to animation course for elementary and middle school students. Marissa is now a freelance photographer based in NYC!
Zoe Pearson interned with Oakwood Arts in 2018 as a program assistant for the Intro to Animation courses for middle school students in partnership with Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club. Zoe also supported with web design.
Kit Marston was Oakwood Arts’ filmmaking intern in 2019 where he supported our team in collecting, organizing, and editing footage for OA promotional materials. Recently OA JET has been working with Kit on his short film ‘On the Night Wind’. Kit continues his involvement with us as an OA JET participant.
Kelly Fergus interned with Oakwood Arts in 2019 while completing her masters in art education at VCU. She led our Story Hour programs after-school in partnership with Peter Paul Development Center (PPDC) at Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, Bellevue Elementary and PPDC. Kelly is now a full-time art teacher at an elementary school!
Jessica Taylor began interning for Oakwood Arts in 2017, as a programs assistant working in some of Oakwood Arts’ very first programs before later becoming staff.
Tricia Evangelisto began as an intern at Oakwood Arts assisting in programs before quickly joining our staff as a Program Lead for Photo Mondays among other things. She continues her involvement with Oakwood as an OA JET participant.
DJ Vang joined us in 2020 as our Graphic Design Intern. DJ helped us to create digital art to be used across all programs; she also designed various posters for promotional materials.
Richmonder, Isaiah Timmons is a 2020 graduate of Hampton University, where he majored in Graphic Design. As our 2020 Marketing Intern, Isaiah created incredible illustrations and designs that we have used for program, marketing, and fundraising initiatives. Isaiah went on to be an OA JET participant and was an art Department PA on Walking Dead World Beyond and is now an art director at Martin agency!
Fran Shapiro interned with Oakwood Arts in 2019 where they worked as a photographer, leading photo booths and maintaining image databases.
Erin Edgerton interned with Oakwood Arts in 2018-2019 as our main program photographer. Erin is now a staff photographer with the Daily Progress in Charlottesville VA.
Josh Thornton began interning for Oakwood Arts in 2020 before joining our staff. They interned as a graphic designer. Now Josh is an OA JET participant and works part-time at OA as our lead graphic designer.
Wesley Meyers is a photo-based artist in Richmond, VA, and a VCU 2021 graduate. He began interning with us in 2021 as a program management intern. He supported our team with photo/video and data management virtually.
Patrick Owings interned with Oakwood Arts in 2019 where he worked as a photographer, covering events and maintaining image databases.
Justin Smith interned for Oakwood Arts 2018-2019 as a graphic designer and an assistant instructor for the Visual Communications course for middle school students in partnership with Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School. Justin is the creator of the wildly popular instagram blog, @afrovisualism
Jesslyn McCartney started volunteering with Oakwood Arts in the spring as a videographer shooting promotional material for the SOLSTICE 2019 Summer Benefit Auction. Jesslyn is graduating VCU Cinema this Spring 2022!
Dory Pressley interned with Oakwood Arts in 2018, spending most of her time supporting in the office with administrative work, web updates, and photo editing.
Sam Christian interned at Oakwood Arts in 2018 before quickly becoming our Instructor in Residence. Sam took an active role in utilizing their background in theatre and began teaching and supporting events. Sam now runs their own business High&Mighty Co.
Menley Hunt interned with Oakwood Arts in 2019 supporting Kelly Fergus in Story Hour programs as well as doing some photo mentoring.
Sara Messervey, a Bonner Scholar, interned with Oakwood Arts in 2018-2019 assisting our team in grant writing and general operations.
PAST Mentors and volunteers
Alli Madsen, Photographer
Christina Macaulay, Photographer
Noelle Manfredi, Animator
Giselle Matz, Graphic Designer
Nicole Michalek, Creative Advertising
Aba Mfrase-Ewur
Rehab Mohamed, Architect
Amanda O'Connell, Graphic Designer
Dylan Reddick, Writer
Brock Saunders, Photographer
Becca Schwartz, Photographer
Gabrielle Stadulis, Graphic Designer
Pearl Steinel, Photographer
Ceejay Renner-Thomas, Sculptor
Carolyn Todd, Photographer + Anthropologist
Jennifer VanSteenburgh, Photographer + Art Educator
Polina Vetsen, Graphic Designer
Katie Xie, Graphic Designer
Elson Bickford, Photographer
Wyatt Buescher, Photographer
Amarise Carreras, Photographer
Kathryn Carney, Art Historian
Doug Chen, IT Specialist
Alex Coyle, Camera Operator
Mitchell Craft, Animator
Scott Csoke, Photographer
Adam Dubrueler, Photographer
John DiJulio, Photographer
Emma Gould, Photographer
Haley Harrington, Photographer
Meg Harrington, Photographer
Porcelyn Headen, Photographer
Dominic Hernandez, Photographer
Charlotte Laurence, Photographer
János Leitner-Wise, Animator
Shannon Lowe, Photographer