ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?

Amanda Rosenblatt became the second student to serve as Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville’s (MOCA) University of North Florida student-in-residence, from August through December 2015. Over the five-month period, she had the opportunity to glean a bit of knowledge from the team at MOCA and learn more about what it takes to not just survive, but thrive after graduation. As Rosenblatt puts it, “Working with the professors is important, but working with a real museum is invaluable.” Allegory of Fortune, the exhibit she was involved with while at the museum, open since early December, is on display through March 27, in the Florida Blue Education Gallery on MOCA’s fifth floor.

Folio Weekly Magazine talked with Rosenblatt about the residency experience, MOCA’s encouraging environment, and her precognitive inspiration for her show.

Folio Weekly Magazine: Congratulations on the exhibit and the MOCA residency. What does it mean to you to have been selected?
Amanda Rosenblatt: Thanks. Honestly, it was an honor. I worked really hard to complete the exhibit, and to be recognized for all of the hard work actually feels really good. There was this lengthy and intense application process … in the early part of 2015 and I know that there were plenty of great applicants, but I really wanted to secure the residency.

As the second student-in-residence, you’re really in on the ground floor of this program.
Absolutely. I feel like I was a part of the growth of this residency. This program is unique for undergraduates. I mean, these types of residencies are common at the grad level, and I am sure that there are others like it around, but for me it was all about working at a great museum with a great team of people and learning as much as I could from them. At MOCA, I had a space that I could have ownership over; I could leave backdrops up for lengths of time and I could work more with the models. It is such a different world from what goes on at the university.

Is it difficult to learn about being a working artist while completing a degree? What was it about the experience that made it unique?
Well, for one thing, working in a professional setting really helps you with time management and deadlines. At the museum, there were a ton of details to attend to in order to get the exhibit up. It really was an opportunity to learn how to operate as a professional artist. I’ve been doing photography since I was 14 years old. My family and friends have always been supportive, but I felt that part of the residency was showing people that there is no shame in being an artist and that, no, art will not leave you homeless.

What were some of the ancillary responsibilities of being the student-in-residence? Did you have to show up to cut ribbons, kiss babies, and give a royal wave of the hand?
No [laughs], there was none of that. And really, there were more opportunities than responsibilities. I got a chance to interact with MOCA patrons and MOCA visitors and share my process with them all, see their reactions and talk about my vision. One of the most important things I learned to do was talk about my work. In the classroom, the conversation is teacher-to-student. In the real world, it’s peer-to-peer, artist-to-art-lover.

Tell me a bit about the actual exhibit.
Well, the show is my take on tarot cards. I do portrait work and, after seeing a deck of tarot cards, I wanted to add my vision to the history of tarot cards. The show is in no way meant to disrespect any person’s beliefs or spirituality. On the contrary, I want it to be a celebration. I couldn’t be happier with the show; it turned out like I wanted it to. Now, while technically my residence was up when the show opened a few weeks ago in early December, it’s great to know that the museum and the crowds will continue to interact with it through the spring.

You’ve graduated and have an exhibit in one of the city’s premier spaces — so what’s next?
I’ve always been interested in the fashion side of photography and the show will show some of that as well. So I plan to pursue fashion photography more. But, seriously, now that the degree is complete and the show is up, I just want to take a nap for a bit.