Meet New Summer Intern, Darius Griggs.

What’s up? My name is Darius Griggs. I am from Chattanooga, TN where I am a rising Junior at Covenant College, where I am an Interdisciplinary major.  I have been a youth intern for the past six years at my church, New City Fellowship, and it feels strange not to be with them this summer.  However, I am excited to have the experience to explore a new city and community.

The Harrison Center was unknown to me previous to waking up to an email from Joanna asking me if I knew anything about it. After doing all of about 30 seconds of research I was surprised by their interest since I am definitely not an artist. Although, after a little information, I quickly discovered that the Harrison Center is not just an artist haven, but they are very active in their community as well. They use art and its place in the community to reach out and attempt to keep the history alive as well as honor older residents and their community. 

I also learned the Harrison Center is willing to work with you to curate an internship to your strengths. However, My role as a Creative Placemaking intern this year builds on my youth leadership and event planning experience as well as my hobby of competing in Spartan Races. I have already begun working on my internship project which combines art and exercise to provide a different way to experience art and to also build community. It is unlike any project I’ve ever had to do. Stay tuned to hear more later this summer.

I am excited to work with the Harrison Center and see what I can do to help them serve their community. I am thrilled to get this hands-on experience with the community development side of things and really get hands-on experience learning what it is like to work for a non-profit and see all the inner-workings. I’m hoping this internship will help me find out what I want to do after I graduate.