The Tryon Fine Arts Center and the Polk County arts community have benefited from the hard work of two local students this summer.

Thanks to support from the Polk County Community Foundation, interns Christian Etherson, 17, and Liam Daniels, 16, have spent the summer getting a behind the scenes look at the mechanics of creating and running performances. 

As the arts administration intern, Etherson has assisted with tasks such as marketing and customer service. A rising senior at Polk County High School, Christian applied for the internship to gain experience in professional writing and promoting events.

“I’ve gained insight into this career option through this internship, and added a unique and interesting experience to my college application,” said Etherson, who is seeking a career in journalism and marketing.

In his spare time, Etherson works at the Polk County Parks and Recreation summer camp, plays and teaches guitar, and watches many movies on Netflix. 

“I was glad to be interning at TFAC,” Etherson said. “I’m happy with the skills I’ve learned during my time there.”

Daniels served as the summer’s entertainment production intern, focusing on the technical elements of stagecraft with a focus on lighting design and operation. He was interested in the internship through his experience in acting.

“My passion for performances inspired me to get a look at the technical elements that go into creating a safe and successful performance,” Daniels said. 

Daniels is a rising junior at the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, and applied for the internship to learn about technical equipment and have an activity he enjoys to do in the summer between his sophomore and junior year. Aspiring to major in physics in college, Daniels’ time as an intern provided him with skills in hands-on equipment rigging and electrical systems.

When he is not interning, Daniels likes to draw, play video games and pursue acting roles in plays.

As the summer internship draws to a close, Daniels and Etherson prepare to take on the challenges of the school year with a new set of skills and experiences. 

– Submitted by

Christian Etherson