This is the fifth in a series of five individual profiles of our summer 2015 student interns. This summer, Learning Life’s social enterprise partner, Signia Surfaces, has five interns who are working on marketing, sales and educational content. To learn more about interning with Learning Life or Signia Surfaces, email learninglife@letlearninglive.org.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Fairfax, and raised in Loudoun County in northern Virginia! It’s a beautiful area and I’m thrilled that I’ve gotten to spend so much time in it with friends and family, including my six siblings…three of whom are our wild Golden Retrievers!
What is your current occupation?
I’m going to be a junior at George Mason University in northern Virginia this fall. I am studying marketing.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Free time is my favorite time! Sometimes I really do enjoy doing nothing, just relaxing on the couch for three days straight. Kidding, I’ve never done that, but a few hours of relaxing always helps reenergize me! I also love to play the piano, make music and art, bake brownies, cookies or anything with chocolate, and occasionally proceed to eat all of it in one night. I also like being outside, exploring, and just laughing and talking with the people around me. Laughing is probably my favorite thing to do in my free time since it’s something I never get tired of!
What is the most beautiful place you have seen on Earth, and why is it so beautiful?
The Channel Islands in California or Mount Rainier in Washington are the most beautiful places I’ve seen. Both were extremely peaceful, the weather was perfect, with just a slight breeze, the landscape’s colors were so vivid it was unreal, and I was with family. I also love the drive-through line at McDonald’s with the red roof and smell of fast food. Kidding. I do however find any areas with grass and trees, whether it’s my own backyard or on the side of the road, to be beautiful.
Is there a particular life experience you have had that has shaped you as a person? If so, what was it, and how has it shaped who you are?
The way that I’ve been raised has most clearly defined me. Feeling encouraged and genuinely cared for by those around me (not to say that I haven’t had more than a few sibling arguments growing up!) has made me someone who isn’t really afraid of the uncertainty of what’s to come since I know I’ll always have someone by my side, as cliché as that sounds! I’d also say it’s made me quick to trust people; I don’t tend to doubt anyone’s honesty. I think people are genuinely special and each have something unique and magnificent to offer to the world!
Why did you choose to intern with Signia Surfaces?
I chose to intern with Signia Surfaces because of the exciting opportunity to learn more about marketing! Being exposed to new aspects and characteristics of a social enterprise and all that comes with it is something I enjoy about Signia Surfaces. Also, being able to coordinate with a team of interns should be both exciting and rewarding!
What are your career plans?
I don’t know where life is going to take me. Perhaps one day I’ll be a marketing manager, or I’ll start up my own company, or I’ll be playing music, or I’ll be the next host of Jeopardy once Alex Trebek finally retires. Who knows!
Sponsor Local Artists on Coasters in Metro D.C. Eateries
As part of our mission to use surfaces to inform and engage more people, Learning Life’s D.C. Arts Coaster Initiative aims to publicize the work of metro Washington D.C. artists in an innovative and eye-catching way — on collectible, pulpboard coasters we will distribute in metro D.C. eateries.
We are now recruiting five inaugural sponsors. Each inaugural sponsor that makes a fully tax-deductible donation of $1,000 will have their name, logo and website featured alongside a local artist’s D.C. landmark painting on 5,000 full-color, collectible arts coasters we will distribute in eateries in 1-2 metro D.C. neighborhoods of your choice.
See below for the participating artists and their paintings. As a sponsor, you choose which artwork(s) below you wish to have featured on the other side of the coasters you sponsor. Interested sponsors should contact us at email@learninglife.info for details.
The Benefits
An eye-catching, collectible and community-supporting way for sponsors to reach metro D.C. residents and visitors
A novel way to engage local residents and visitors with the arts in our metro D.C. community.
Free promotion for selected metro D.C. artists
OUR ARTISTS
Metro D.C. artists who paint D.C. landmarks and are interested in participating free of charge in our D.C. Arts Coaster Initiative should contact us at email@learninglife.info with a link to their website, or attach photos featuring their D.C. landmarks paintings.
Zachary Sasim
Born in the USSR, Zachary Sasim (also known as Zakhar), has been a painter most of his life. While working professionally for 12 years in Bulgaria, he gradually crafted a unique impressionistic style that is marked by wild and passionate play of colors and is created by combining traditional brush strokes and palette knife technique. Zachary moved to the United States in 2004, and has since earned the recognition and respect of the Washington D.C. community. His bright and colorful paintings are found in numerous metro D.C. homes as well as government offices, including those of several U.S. Senators and Representatives. Zachary’s artwork can also be found at D.C.’s famed Eastern Market, and online at zacharysasim.com.
Damien Savage
Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Damien Savage is an artist who paints in his free time “as a way to escape from the Monday-Friday corporate life.” Damien started by creating unique pieces for his apartment, then began to receive requests from friends, family and others. “My medium of choice is acrylic paint and wood stain to fill wooden pallets found on the street, or self-constructed wooden canvases.” He welcomes commissioned work, and consults with his customers “to give them exactly what they want down to the color shade.” Photos of his paintings can be found at damiensavage.com.
Joel Traylor
Joel is a Washington D.C. native. While growing up he had a keen interest in writing, music, theater, and photography. He sent stories to publishers and shredded guitar riffs in the garage. In 1996, he spread a roll of paper on the wall of his apartment and spent the summer with oils and charcoal, discovering his visual art. In 2000, Joel studied multimedia design with thoughts of web and animation. He simultaneously began exhibiting his work in galleries, markets, and art festivals. “I make art because I enjoy navigating my curiosity with form and color. You never know where you’ll end up when you take a line for a walk,” he explains. You can find Joel and his artwork at joeltraylor.com as well as on occasional Saturdays at Eastern Market and at art events in metro D.C.
Intern Spotlight: Thomas Pierce
This is the fourth in a series of five individual profiles of our summer 2015 student interns. This summer, Learning Life’s social enterprise partner, Signia Surfaces, has five interns who are working on marketing, sales and educational content. To learn more about interning with Learning Life or Signia Surfaces, email learninglife@letlearninglive.org.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but while I was still an infant my parents moved our family to the suburbs of Philadelphia, and eventually into the city itself.
What is your current occupation?
I am an undergraduate student majoring in organizational sciences at George Washington University in Washington D.C.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I read novels (e.g., The Imperfectionists, Trainspotting, and currently, The Count of Monte Cristo), newspapers (e.g., Wall Street Journal) and magazines (e.g., The Economist) for pleasure. I also love being outside. In the summer I like to fill my days playing rugby and tennis, skateboarding, hiking, bike riding and running. I also enjoy languages and am currently studying German.
What is the most beautiful place you have seen on Earth, and why is it so beautiful?
I went skiing in Park City, Utah this year and the views from the top of the Rocky Mountains were amazing. On the same trip, I went to Antelope Island, a national park outside of Salt Lake, Utah. From the top of this island mountain, you can see across the great Salt Lake (which actually has no water, but glistens not unlike a mirage in the desert due to its salt deposits) upon the snow-capped Rocky Mountains.
Is there a particular life experience you have had that has shaped you as a person? If so, what was it, and how has it shaped who you are?
Growing up in Philadelphia was a formative experience. The mentality and character of the people in Philadelphia are interesting — blunt and honest, but also very friendly. If you are being obnoxious in a restaurant in Philadelphia, for example, someone will stand up and tell you to quiet down. The same person, however, will say hello to you on the street, a not so common courtesy in some East Coast cities, especially D.C.
Why did you choose to intern with Signia Surfaces?
Signia Surfaces presented itself as a productive outlet for my time and energy, while furthering my professional career skills and offering the chance to work and interact with new and interesting people.
What are your career plans?
I am pursuing a career in management consulting, but as a young person I realize that life does not always comply with our desired plans. As long as I am happy and healthy, I will be content.
Intern Spotlight: Areej Abu Radwan
This is the third in a series of five individual profiles of our summer 2015 student interns. This summer, Learning Life’s social enterprise partner, Signia Surfaces, has five interns who are working on marketing, sales and educational content. To learn more about interning with Learning Life or Signia Surfaces, email learninglife@letlearninglive.org.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Muscat, Oman. My parents are of Palestinian origin, but lived in D.C. while my father pursued his education, then moved to Oman.
What is your current occupation?
I am a full-time undergraduate student majoring in business administration at George Mason University in northern Virginia. I am also a part-time Seinfeld enthusiast and circus acrobat…I’m kidding about that last part, but I truly do like Seinfeld. It’s my favorite television show.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Long walks on the beach….just joking, though I do really like taking trips to the beach! I like to read, mainly classic books and anything that makes me reflect on life, like Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, and Catch-22. I also write poetry, short stories and reflections. I also follow current world events and like to study other cultures, especially Indian and African cultures.
What is the most beautiful place you have seen on Earth, and why is it so beautiful?
This is a difficult question to answer, as I have been to many a beautiful place, including Oman, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. In America, Montreal, Canada has beautiful trails and mountains, a lot of wide open space and crisp, clear air. Everything there is extremely picturesque.
Is there a particular life experience you have had that has shaped you as a person? If so, what was it, and how has it shaped who you are?
Moving back to America at age 18 for my studies has had a profound influence on my character and outlook on life. I learned to grow up quickly and how to handle responsibilities being on my own. I made mistakes (and still do) but came out of it stronger. As I like to say, experiences can either make or break a person, and I hope to always take the former path and make the most out of what is handed to me.
Why did you choose to intern with Signia Surfaces?
I chose to intern with Signia Surfaces because I was attracted to the creative way the company spreads knowledge to D.C. locals, using everyday surfaces. (It’s really cool, trust me. You should check out our Facebook page!)
What are your career plans?
I hope to gain a job in a management role after I graduate. My plan in the long-term is to open up a nonprofit organization that helps assist, educate and empower women and youth in need in the Washington D.C. area.
What do you like to do in your free time?
