BOONE, N.C. — Working at art galleries on Appalachian State University’s campus has been the highlight of her time as a student, said Gabrielle Knight, a senior from Boone majoring in art and visual culture – art management with a minor in nonprofit organizations.

“The art management program at Appalachian offers hands-on experience and mentorship from faculty and staff,” Knight said. “I’ve been given a lot of opportunities.”

Knight has worked at the Catherine J. Smith Gallery in Appalachian’s Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, is the curator for the Looking Glass Gallery in Plemmons Student Union and serves as an exhibition assistant at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA).

She said these opportunities helped her decide her major and are also helping her build a strong resume of experiences that will prepare her to work in a gallery or museum.

As the daughter of an art teacher, Knight was raised in a creative environment, learning to paint, weld and sculpt while in high school. “I was trying to figure out a major that fit my interests, and Jennie Carlisle, director of the Smith Gallery, mentored me and guided me toward art management,” Knight said.

At TCVA, Knight helps install art exhibits, performs research for upcoming shows, designs educational notebooks for the gallery and handles administrative tasks.

"Gabrielle is one of our student treasures at the Turchin Center. She has made herself indispensable in the year she has worked with us," said Mary Anne Redding, curator and assistant director of TCVA.

"Gabrielle is uniquely poised to excel in the world of arts management through the education and experiences that Appalachian State University provides," Redding said.

“I share an office with Mary Anne Redding,” Knight said. “It is amazing because I get to see her creative process and learn from her on a daily basis. She has given me a lot of guidance and opportunity to really do some self-discovery.”

Knight said she enjoys the variety in her jobs. “I’ve gotten to dabble in lots of areas of museum work at Appalachian, which is unique. I’ve experienced many different aspects and have discovered the roles I really like,” she said.

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Art and Visual Culture (BA) - Art Management

The Art and Visual Culture (BA) - Art Management degree incorporates the study of studio art, art history, and art management with a required minor in non-profit management.

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Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts

The Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts is a 1,673-seat multi-use auditorium located on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. The Center features orchestra and balcony level seating and a proscenium stage. The Schaefer Center is also home to the Smith Gallery.

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Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University engages visitors from the university, community, nation and beyond in creating unique experiences through dynamic and accessible exhibition, education, outreach and collection programs. These programs inspire and support a lifelong engagement with the visual arts and create opportunities for participants to learn more about themselves and the world around them.

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Looking Glass Gallery

Located in Applachian State University's Student Union, the Looking Glass Gallery serves as a space for App State's emerging artists, alumni and faculty to exhibit their artwork in a professional setting. The gallery aims to heighten artist recognition and to prepare artists for life outside of a university setting. In a constantly evolving contemporary art scene, the Looking Glass Gallery is an ideal place to experiment, learn and succeed in the the art industry.

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About the Department of Art

One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Art at Appalachian State University prepares students to explore art, identity, expression and creative problem-solving while challenging them to go beyond their previous limits by discovering new connections to culture. The department offers degrees in art and visual culture, art education, graphic design, studio art, photography and graphic communications management, with minors in art history, studio art, photography and graphic communications management. Learn more at https://art.appstate.edu.

About the College of Fine and Applied Arts

Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.