Wright State senior paints a new path through fine arts internship

Wright State painting major Cienna Wallace is gaining hands-on teaching experience as an intern at the Miami Valley School, blending her passion for art with education. (Photos by Erin Pence)

A typical day for Wright State University arts students usually unfolds in a campus studio surrounded by brushes, canvases and clay.

For senior Cienna Wallace, it looks a little different. Twice a week, she heads to the Miami Valley School in Dayton, where she’s breaking new ground as the school’s first-ever fine arts intern from Wright State.

Wallace, an arts major focusing on painting, is charting a new path that bridges art and education. While education majors gain real-world experience through student teaching, no such opportunity existed for fine arts students interested in becoming art teachers — until now.

“Wright State is trying to give those students the opportunity the same way any other subject gets to do student teaching,” said Wallace, who is from Wilmington.

Wallace works at the Miami Valley School on Mondays and Wednesdays, assisting the four arts teachers who work with students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Her days include helping younger students decorate sketchbook covers to working with middle and high school students in ceramics and other studio projects.

Learning the layout of the school, remembering students’ names and figuring out how to support each teacher has been a fun challenge.

“I observe the teachers — how they teach, give demonstrations and how they present their expectations,” she said. “It keeps me on my toes.”

The experience has broadened her artistic perspective, too.

“In some cases, I’m learning the same thing the students are as they’re learning it,” she said. “Learning in other art mediums, that’s been really exciting.”

Wallace said the experience has been equally educational for everyone involved.

“The teachers I work with are learning how to have an intern in their class, and I’m learning how to be an intern,” she said. “I’m learning alongside them. I was a little bit nervous being the first intern, but I’m kind of glad I am.”

The internship was sparked by a relationship between Wright State and the Miami Valley School. Glen Cebulash, professor of painting and drawing at Wright State, said his wife, Rachel Stanzione, an art teacher at the Miami Valley School, proposed the idea.

“Since Miami Valley hadn’t previously had interns and since we don’t have a formal art education program, it seemed like a great opportunity,” Cebulash said. “I felt confident that we would be able to provide some talented and motivated interns.”

After discussions between the faculty at both schools, Wallace was recommended as an intern.

“From every indication, she is doing a fabulous job and has represented the art program at Wright State very well,” Cebulash said. “I think it’s been a challenging and enlightening experience for her and will play a big role in her future career decisions.”

For Wallace, the internship has confirmed her passion for teaching.

“So far, yes,” Wallace said, “I do want to continue pursuing art education.”

Cienna Wallace assists Miami Valley School art teachers, working with K–12 students on projects ranging from sketchbook design to ceramics and studio art.

Cebulash said Wright State hopes to continue to offer the internship program.

Wallace’s internship reflects Wright State’s commitment to experiential learning and community partnerships, giving students real-world experience with local schools, businesses and organizations. The collaboration with the Miami Valley School expands experiential learning beyond campus, benefiting both students and the community.

“I hope this opens a lot of doors between Miami Valley and Wright State,” Wallace said.