Aug
14
The Writing on the Wall: SCAD Alumnus Takes on Graffitti
August 14, 2008 |
Welcome to the first in a series of interviews with SCAD HP Alumni. Our first guest is Katie Arceneaux, B.A. Class of 2008. Katie currently working for the NCPTT running a lab experiment on graffiti removal from historic structures. Katie was nice enough to agree to do this virtual interview. Name: Katie Arceneaux, Class of 2008
Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
Interests: Reading, visiting historic sites, traveling to new places
Reading: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Current Location: Natchitoches, Louisiana
Job Title: Materials Research Program Intern
A favorite weblink: http://www.banksy.co.uk/
How did you find out about this job?
I was surfing the internet for any intern job for the summer and was lucky enough to find a place
How is living in Natchitoches ?
I really like it. It’s a small town, but so much happens here. There’s a bunch of plantations and historic sites all within driving distance as well as numerous preservation activities happening at any one time. They even have a bunch of festivals; the Folk Festival, the Arts and Crafts Festival, and around Christmas time the entire town holds a huge celebration.
Forgive the shameless self-promotion, but how did your studies at SCAD prepare you for your current job?
I learned a lot about what happens in the field and the process involved in any preservation project. It amazes me that I can go the community meetings, and meet people from the National Trust, and understand what there talking about and where they are in the process of their project. I have a much better understanding of the bigger picture involved.
What did you not learn during your studies that you are now learning on the job?
I’m now learning how to keep a field notebook and more about the scientific process involved in preservation.
And what about the job? Tell us more about this experiment….
Here is my blog
http://natchitochespreservation.ning.com/
Go to Groups at the top of the page
On the top of the right hand column of Groups is one titled National Center for Preservation Technology and Training
Look under the discussion forum for Graffiti removal in Natchitoches, Louisiana
What is an average day like?
A lot of waiting for tests to run, while I rush trying to learn new things and figure out a way to speed up the tests without rushing them.
When does graffiti become historic?
I think graffiti becomes historic when it inspires and moves people like nothing else can. Real graffiti is a form of art or self expression that speaks to people, sometimes by the messages involved or simply by the shear number of work one produces. Or it lasts through centuries to leave us a record, like cave paintings or brick walls in civil war forts that soldiers wrote there names on.
Where can people find out more about what you are doing?
http://natchitochespreservation.ning.com/
or
http://www.ncptt.nps.gov/
Advice for the class of 2012?
Keep going no matter what, keep looking and asking questions. Put yourself out there front and center.