AFH is Thankful for ALL our Interns and Volunteers!

The Thanksgiving holiday is a great opportunity to recognize the unsung interns and volunteers at AFH who give their time and talent to help our teen artists be successful. We want to give our deepest thanks to our team of math mavens, energetic essayists, and science specialists who help our teens with current school assignments, develop literacy and math skills and handle the rigors of the college application process. With 250 teens working at AFH per year, the role of qualified volunteers has a dramatic impact. 

Not convinced? Take a look at the evidence recorded by our Video Studio, and get to know Matthew and Brittany, two AFH interns who help our teens keep their grades up and their energies focused!

Meet Matthew Dickey, our awesome math/painting/development intern! 

AFH: Hi Matthew! Tell us: what do you do as an AFH intern? 

MD: My internship is twofold. I work in the Painting Studio where I teach math terms through the process of painting.The participants in the paint studio have such infectious energy.

Outside of the Painting Studio, I work in Development, where I not only get to see how such an organization works and is funded, but also get to see what the money we are raising goes towards. 

AFH: How did you hear about AFH?

MD: I first heard about AFH from a friend, and once I moved to Boston I just had to check it out. I still remember my first visit going on a tour with Drew.

AFH: What’s the coolest part of AFH so far?

MD: Just one part? That puts me in a bind, since I have a two-part internship. What is most amazing is seeing how passionate all the staff are about what they do.

AFH: Where do you go to school?

MD: I am a MS candidate at Boston University and graduate this December!

AFH: What are you studying?

MD: Arts Administration/Non-Profit Management. I also have a BFA in painting.

AFH: Where are you from?

MD: I am from Collinsville, Illinois, home of the world’s largest ketchup bottle. 

AFH: Any memorable teachers or mentors in your life?

MD: Several! There was my painting teacher in high school named Renee Taake, then the head of the painting department at my undergraduate school (Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville) John DenHouter. Both of them really mentored me though my early painting days. My mom, aunt, and grandfather are also great mentors. Together they inspired me to pursue art and also made me interested in architecture.

AFH: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

MD: I have a few: architecture, history, collecting historical postcards, traveling, painting, art making, and daydreaming.

AFH: Where do you see yourself in five years?

MD: I have no idea where I will be or what I will be doing. I see myself working either at my own non-profit that focuses on using art as a medium for social change or at a non-profit like AFH.

AFH: What are you reading/listening to lately?

MD: Reading: I am reading A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers, The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough, and a book about the evolution of American customs and lifestyles. 

Listening: A couple podcasts: Radiolab and Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me (love ‘em!), Josh Ritter, Of Monsters and Men, Angus and Julia Stone, Kishi Bashi, George Formby, and Geographer to name a few. When I am doing schoolwork I like to listen to French music because it is not distracting. For example, Francois Hardy and Yves Montand.

AFH: What’s the best advice you’ve received so far?

MD: Life is about collecting experiences, so go out there and collect them.

AFH: Any other fun facts about you?

MD: There are tons! I can solve the Rubik’s cube in less than 2 minutes; someday I’ll do it in less than 30 seconds, I paint and I have a website, matthewadickey.blogspot.com. I am also in the early stages of starting a business that will be a youth run café art gallery with studio space. I’ll end it there.

Meet Brittany Dacier, our literacy tutor! 

AFH: Hi Brittany! Tell us about your internship at AFH. 

BD: When I first started interning at AFH, I was helping with all our teen Artist Statements. Recently, I have held SAT and college application workshops and am now tutoring. Basically, I work on anything that is literacy related.

AFH: How did you hear about AFH? 

BD: A family friend of mine told me about AFH a little more than a year ago. He knew that I had worked at schools in the city and was active in the arts at BC, so he thought it would be a perfect place for me. He was right!

AFH: What’s the coolest part of AFH so far?

BD: Meeting everyone! The staff and the artists are awesome and it has been great getting to know everyone at AFH. Plus, being surrounded by incredible artwork while working is such a treat! I am always amazed by what AFHers come up with.

AFH: Where do you go to school?

BD: I’m a senior at Boston College.  

AFH: What are you studying?

BD: I’m a Spanish and Art History double major.

AFH: Where are you from? What high school did you go to?

BD: I’m from Sherborn, a small town 20 miles west of Boston. I went to Dover-Sherborn High School.

AFH: Any memorable teachers or mentors in your life?

BD: Yes! My 10^th grade English teacher, Ms. Sullivan, was not only an unbelievable teacher, but she was also a wonderful mentor. She challenged me as a student and yet was encouraging with all of my work. Before I took her class, I struggled with writing and found it so difficult to put pen to paper. But, she made writing essays and reading novels enjoyable and she allowed us to be creative with our work. 

AFH: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

BD: I love to run, do yoga and hike. If I have free time or am very overwhelmed with school, I like to draw with charcoal. I also LOVE to ski and can’t wait for the winter!

AFH: Where do you see yourself in five years?

BD: I have no idea! Hopefully I will be working or will be in graduate school, but I’m unsure. I don’t like to plan things that far in advance. I prefer to take opportunities as they come and keep my options open.

AFH: What are you reading/listening to lately?

BD: Unfortunately I have been swarmed with reading this semester, so I’ve only been reading books for school, including Latin American novels and books concerning artist Robert Motherwell. I’ve been listening to Coldplay a lot recently. Their music has been a little escape for me from the loads of work I have to do.  

AFH: What’s the best advice you’ve received so far?

BD: Drink lots of water, don’t wait until tomorrow to do what you can today, and always make time for friends and family.  

AFH: Any other fun facts about you?

BD: I’m hoping to run my first marathon in April. I have always loved to run long distances, but have never run 26.2 miles! So, my goal for this school year is to join a group at BC that will run the Boston Marathon. Hopefully I will stay healthy and injury free during my training!

Along with Brittany and Matthew, we are so thankful to the following volunteer tutors:

Justin MacDonald 

Amanda Souza 

Lenny Alberts 

Samantha Sarkis 

Mike Marchinetti 

Sandy Garrelick 

Joel Garrelick 

Diana Ye 

THANK YOU ALL and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!