Intern Program

Working at The Muzzio has helped me discover skills that I didn’t know I was capable of. This internship emphasizes the importance of community, as well as the impact we can have on it. Through our community outreach events, I constantly find myself stepping out of my comfort zone by talking to people who are unfamiliar with what we do. I love seeing when community members get excited about the art we are introducing in Watsonville. Recognizing mosaics that I have worked on, and installed on the library walls is such a rewarding experience, I get to see the results of my work. The best part about the mosaics is that they’re there for all of Watsonville to see, everyone gets to appreciate their beauty.

I’m Eleodoro or mostly known as Lolo. I’m 17 years old, and since I started working I have learned many things at the Mosaic Art Center. I learned to use the nipper a little better now and get better straights and curves on the tiles. Also, the scorer is used to score the tile for a straight line. The tile breaker and other stuff like helping clean up at the end by putting everything away and sweeping all the broken tile and dust. I have enjoyed just being here even though I only come to work for 2 hours. It’s still a really good time. The pride was that everything was going to be shown somewhere so you know that your work is being shown to everyone.

While working at the Muzzio I have developed some important skills such as communication, patience, and assisting new volunteers. This internship has taught me these skills and further strengthened others. I’ve enjoyed my time at the muzzio, as a new day passed working at the Muzzio a new person would walk through the doors willing to spend time building art for the community. Art is a great passion of mine, ever since I was young, I would spend hours drawing; therefore, I was excited about the idea of this internship when I first started. Before applying to the Muzzio I remember walking down the street and seeing “Hermanita” for the first time. At the time, I was in a huge Art block with my own art. I wanted to quit doing art but seeing “Hermanita” made me want to try again. Learning new art forms with the Muzzio has been a great pleasure. Whenever I was complimented about the piece I was working on, I felt very proud of myself. Also, walking from school to the Muzzio would also make me proud of myself, seeing all the panels that were up on the Civic Plaza Parking Garage, and just seeing the ones I helped with was quite inspiring to me. Despite still being shy around the other interns, they were all kind and helpful. I hope to continue to work here as much as I can in the future.

Working at the Muzzio with Watsonville Brillante has opened new doors for me. My experience here has helped me develop in my creative pursuit as an artist and it has helped me grow as a young adult contributing to society. I first started working at Watsonville Brillante because I thought it would be a super fun job for me personally since I already love making things, and it would be a chance to work in a new art medium that I hadn’t tried before. I soon learned that being an intern at the Muzzio offered so much more for me and allowed me to flourish in areas where I had and practice skills along the way. Teaching new volunteers how to use the tools and cut and place tiles and informing visitors about our project allowed me to practice essential life skills like communication, patience, and advising others which help prepare me for my future career in teaching.

I first heard of this muzzio center through an art competition at school. It was an assignment in my Graphic Design class aimed to represent the people of Watsonville. This really piqued my interest because although I am currently living in Aptos I was born and raised in Watsonville and to try and encapsulate what that experience was like felt exciting. I ended up winning and earning 500 dollars in cash alongside other winners and offered a week to work and possibly get hired or serve community hours. It’s been 2 months since I’ve officially started working here and I can’t express how much I’ve enjoyed it. From working in my own artpiece to hang in the outside walls of our studio to getting to learn from such kind people, it’s been amazing.

Throughout my time at the Muzzio, I have felt nothing but welcomed and loved each time I walked into the building. Since becoming an intern, the importance of community has been drilled into my brain; I realized how vital it is for us to take the time to understand and love each other as much as possible. I used to pass by the mosaics around the city and see them as cool paintings until I met Kathleen at the 2022 Strawberry Festival (my first time attending)! I could see the excitement in her eyes when sharing the project and how I was capable of being a part of it. I am forever grateful to Kathleen for allowing me to partake in this amazingly beautiful work. When working on a board, I always made sure to find out who it was representing to stop and think about the details within the artwork. I took pride in knowing that by working on these mosaics,

I’m Mara Reilly, a premed student at UC Santa Cruz studying Global and Community Health! Working at Muzzio allowed me to express my creativity in a way I often cannot do nowadays, as I am so busy studying and working in labs, while also being able to make a difference in a community close to my home! I met Mrs. Crocetti when I was taking her art classes in middle school, and working with her at Muzzio allowed me to rekindle that love for art that she helped me form when I was young. My time at Muzzio taught me that there are still ways for me to express myself creatively, even as such a busy student.

There’s a lot I’m currently excited about, one of the main things is just growing and being able to experience new opportunities and strengthen my already existing skills. I’ve learned a few small things like the name of some specific tools, how they work, how to place tiles, what a mosaic even is. But I also learned bigger things like working with other people, meeting new people, having this sense of responsibility and just how I actually love different forms of art. This job means a lot to me, it means a way to help the community, being able to help make these mosaics that I’ve seen before means a lot to me. This job means I’m part of this community, I’m more connected to it. This art helps define our city, it helps define our community, it builds character, every piece of art having an importance just highlights how much this city cares about one another. Public lasting art really has an impact on how a place is seen, and all this art around our town is incredibly important, its beautiful art for a beautiful community. 

 What I’m excited about is learning new experiences being here at the Muzzio Art Center. Not only that, but I’m also excited about meeting new people everyday. What I have learned so far are techniques on how to cut tiles for the mosaic. I learned how to be more efficient while making sure I pace myself so I don’t slack behind. Most importantly, I learned that being part of Muzzio is the responsibility. There’s a decent amount of workload, but at times cutting the tiles can be a great challenge. It brings in more room to learn from my current experience being here. Having this job means a lot to me because not only am I helping out a small community, but I am bringing an impact. It makes me feel connected to the people and defines what our city is like. What public lasting art means to me is a form of art that is shown in public, but it is historical that carries a deep meaning. The art can stay for centuries and can still look beautiful regardless of how long it has been up. 

When I first got started working on tile, I never thought of getting this far. I went from being a volunteer to an intern and, finally, a staff. While being here, I learned such skills as how to be a leader, a teacher, a public speaking figure, an assistant, and a hard worker. I have enjoyed working and communicating with lots of different people and positions in life. I love how I learn about different lifestyles and opinions about everything around us. It helped me build my knowledge and ideas. Something I am very proud of is having the ability to handle stressful moments and also the way I learned to be a good employee. Thank you Watsonville Brillante for everything.

I got the opportunity to work here ,I got encouraged by my family and friends to work here so far since i started working here i started learning more about tile i been able to meet new people and make new friends.I really like the environment how calm it is is and how experience have brought me skills that i wouldn’t know if it wasn’t for this program.I noticed ever since i got here  i been able to help bring color to the community by giving my time and effort  i been able to enjoy mosaics and seeing my work in public.

Working at the Muzzio Mosaic Arts Center brings me joy. I love how mosaics are being put up in town, we needed more art in this town. It’s satisfying to me to watch the process of making the mosaics and later seeing them go up. It’s truly an honor working here!

Something I learned while working here is to be a bit more patient, I say I learned this because when I first started I would try to get the exact cut on a tile too fast and would end up breaking it whereas now I take my time and do it with patience so as to get a good piece done. Something I enjoyed about working there was the work environment it was always a fun and nice working mood and it felt homey at times. Something that gave me pride about my work there was seeing how much time and hard work other people were putting into it and that made me want to give it my best and I feel like that is what makes me feel really proud about the work we do.

Hello, my name is Jessica Gonzalez. I’m a senior at Watsonville High School. I learned about the Watsonville Brillante project during my freshman year from my art teacher. I heard that they were having a competition for each state of Mexico which sounded interesting. I made my own design for Oaxaca which was selected and later installed on the public library’s garage. Before becoming an intern, I was doing my community hours during my sophomore year. I was welcomed and met wonderful people. Coming to the Muzzio Center has helped me a lot through my high school days. The environment this place has created is such a wonderful feeling. Learning and seeing all these beautiful designs has also helped me as an artist. I started to get more creative with my own personal art. I developed my patience, creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. I became an intern last year, I got to meet more people who also have an interest in art and the community. Knowing your work is being displayed, admired, and making an impact on your community makes me proud and grateful for this opportunity. Seeing all the designs from different cultures coming together makes me very happy since all of them have their own stories and now having them displayed to the public will make others wonder about them.

I am excited about meeting new people, communicating and connecting with others, and enhancing my mosaic skills. So far from my experience working at this place, I have learned to be more responsible with myself and be able to form different kinds of arts with tiles using several kinds of tools. Having this job means being a part of a small community and the start of a new beginning for myself, since having a job is a completely new experience for me. With this art that we form every day, I think the public will take the time to appreciate the work and effort we put into making beautiful art for our communities to see, and help shape the image of how Watsonville is seen for the glorious town it is.

Hello, my name is Franchesca Hilario, and I am a junior in high school currently doing independent studies. The first time I heard about the Watsonville Brillante project was earlier in the year from my mom. For the past few years, she’s been working with students and people affiliated with UC Santa Cruz on the “Watsonville is in the Heart” project that works to bring representation to the Filipinos in Watsonville, as well as displaying their history, hardships, and contributions that make our community what it is today. The project drew my attention, as I growing up felt highly unrepresented as a Filipino due to the fact that I was often one of the few, if not only Filipinos in my environment whenever I wasn’t with family. I asked my mom how I could help, which is when she told me about the Mosaics at the Muzzio Center and its involvement with “Watsonville is in the Heart”. In the short time I have been an intern, the Muzzio Center has definitely developed my perception of art and the impact that art has on a community.

Something I have learned while working in the Muzzio Mosaic Art Center is that patience is very important when cutting and placing pieces, especially the smaller pieces. I found joy in witnessing the transformation of broken pieces into mesmerizing masterpieces that brought immense satisfaction. I enjoyed many things while working here, the peaceful atmosphere, the kind people and the finished products of the amazing art pieces. I got to learn new techniques, explore my artistic abilities and develop a connection with the craft. Knowing that my work goes to places around the city is what gives me pride in my work.

While working here something I learned was not to be worried about messing up. When I first started working here I was worried at first because I didn’t want to mess up on a board since it was going to go up for everyone to see. However, I realized that messing up wasn’t bad because I could just redo the section I messed up until it was good. I also learned that being patient is important because it takes time to finish a board, especially when it has more detail. If you are not patient it can become stressful working on a board for a long time because it feels like you aren’t making a lot of progress. What I enjoyed about working here was being able to see the boards I was working on completed and installed. I felt pride in the work I did because it’s something that my family and friends can go and see..

I’m really excited about the upcoming mosaic art pieces we’re going to create and the events that are being planned. Being here at the muzzio center has taught me a lot, especially the importance of patience and that it’s okay to start over when things break. I’ve learned that art can be expressed in many different ways, like through tiles. This job is special to me because I get to contribute to art that’s displayed for everyone to see. It’s fulfilling to be part of something that makes my community feel included and represented. I love seeing how art can be expressed in so many different ways, and I’m proud to be a part of that. The Muzzio Center does a great job of making the community feel very included. The public art around town makes me feel connected because it expresses what people are going through and not only do they show how Hispanic people live and work hard but other cultures as well and their heritage.

My name is Jessica Norris and I am a senior at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I was an intern for Watsonville Brillante the summer of 2022. This experience brought me closer to the Watsonville community. I was excited to be able to explore new art forms, like creating mosaics and sketching rough designs for potential new mosaics.

Hola, my name is Eli Romero Ortigosa. I’m a current senior at Watsonville High School, and this upcoming fall, I will be attending Stanford University. I started my journey with Watsonville Brillante in the summer of 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. I volunteered in the Summer Camp alongside 3 of my cousins and other volunteers. During that time, I was working in the “Apple Picker.” This design is meaningful for me as it was a learning experience that required my patience, critical thinking, and creativity. Along the way, I learned about Watsonville and its rich cultural aspects. As a new immigrant to this country, learning about Watsonville’s history was essential to familiarize myself with the town. After the summer program, I continued my involvement during community Sundays. My involvement here developed fundamental skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and commitment. Recently, in the summer of 2023, I started as a paid intern. It is exciting to work here because I enjoy learning about the different cultures that are living and have lived here in Watsonville, all while doing art! It’s heartwarming every time I see my work being displayed for my community. Today, this project has a place in my heart as it fosters a welcoming environment for everyone and me.

 I found out about the program through my mom and ever since then I’ve been coming here. I enjoy being here because I can spend time in the community working with new people and working with hands-on projects. I have learned that glass mosaics can be detailed and it can require a lot of concentration. I’ve noticed the differences between different materials. I’ve also had the privilege to be able to see my artwork in public. 

Being an intern at the Muzzio Mosaic Art Studio has been a blast for me. I joined the studio originally as a Sueños Program participant, but once I finished the program I was hired by Kathleen as an Intern. I have had so much fun at the studio and everytime I come to work the time passes by flying. I love how I got to experiment with the mosaic medium of art since it’s something completely different for me. Being able to work hands-on with the art makes me feel more connected to it, so I enjoy it a lot. Over the span of time I’ve worked at the studio I have significantly gotten better at working with mosaics. When I started working I didn’t even know how to cut tile, now I am incredibly proud of the art I help create. I love coming to work because the vibes of the studio are always great. Everyone is nice and focused on getting their job done. I am proud to tell people about the art we create at the studio and I’m proud of what the studio is doing for the community of Watsonville. Overall working at the studio has been a great experience and I am proud of the beautiful art me and the rest of the interns help create for the community.

Hi, I’m Jasmine Serratos-Esparza! I’m a proud Chicana, born and raised in the city of Watsonville, and I’m currently studying Business Administration at California State University, Monterey Bay. I’ve been volunteering with Community Arts & Empowerment since 2020, and I absolutely love it! I’m excited to help bring creativity and joy to our community while learning from everyone I work with. Volunteering here has taught me how powerful teamwork can be and how art can connect people in meaningful ways. This role means a lot to me because it’s about more than just making art; it’s about leaving something lasting that the community can be proud of. Public artwork, to me, is a celebration of who we are and a way to inspire others for years to come.

My time here as an intern was absolutely wonderful. It was so fulfilling to get to express so much creativity while also bringing beauty to my community. The people I got the opportunity to work with and get to know here are some of the loveliest I have met, and I cherished getting to spend my summer here. 

It was lovely getting to connect with Watsonville’s vibrant community by working on projects that highlights the wonderful people that comprise it. I especially adored the sections on the parking garage that were designed by community members to represent their family heritage. Being able to find closeness with people I’ve never met was so special, and it made me feel such love for the place I grew up in. 

Hello, my name is Bella Umeki-Martinez! I am a class of 2024 Watsonville High graduate and will be attending the University of California, Los Angeles this fall majoring in Art! I was introduced to Watsonville Brillante during my sophomore year of high school through their outreach to the art academy at WHS, coincidentally named MOSAIC. After learning about the amazing project going up on the parking garage in downtown Watsonville, I had been volunteering at the center ever since. As a multiracial person myself, who has learned to appreciate every culture in my lineage, I deeply admire the work that has gone into identifying and persevering all the cultures and people that make Watsonville the amazing community that it is. During this summer of 2024, I have had the privilege to be a paid intern doing what I love most: creating art. Not only have I learned more about my community, but I have been able to contribute to the beautification as well as develop fundamental skills such as collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. The Watsonville Brillante Muzzio Mosaic Center will always have a special place in my heart and in this community.

I found out about the muzzio center through a friend and decided to give it a try. Ever since the first day I’ve came, it’s honestly been so much fun being able to learn new things that I never knew about. I’ve learned more about how all of the mosaic art pieces i see around town are created and the whole procedure, ive also learned more about how to work tile and glass, it’s pretty cool. Most importantly everyone is so nice and respectful and i’ve met some wonderful people and friends that I really appreciate. I’m most looking forward to being apart of even more art pieces because I enjoy it here and it helps me destress. Im excited to see the art work completed and ready to see my artwork in public. I can’t wait to show my parents what i’ve done.