Internship Class | Post 1

I took this selfie in the studio mirror.

My name is Niaya Nix, and I am the Communication Design Intern at Noël Copeland. It was previously named MoNoCo Design, but Mr.Copeland changed it. Multiple art companies used that exact, or similar name. In fact, several months ago when I searched “MoNoCo,” Google would auto-correct to the name of a more popular design company. With the previous name, it would have been extremely difficult to get his brand off the ground. Kind of like opening a lingerie shop called “Victoria’s Secrecy” when Victoria’s Secret is Internationally known.

Noël Copeland sells handmade ceramics, sculptures and paintings. The self-titled company is owned by Noël Copeland, a veteran artist. It was opened in 1990, is small and privately run. He has operated from the Brooklyn Navy Yard for many years now. Most of his clientele are people in their 30s with disposable income. Many of them are female as well.

Mr. Copeland doesn’t have much information about him available online. But, I did find two articles. Neither of which are from the news, but they’ll do. The first is from NYC Culture of Arts. Its about a commissioned ceramic mural done at PS 212 in Queens. It describes the name of the piece, Mr. Copeland’s inspiration, the number of designs (10), and a small bio. The second article is from Lehman College Art Gallery, and describes a glass installation on the Nereid Avenue Station. Like the NYC Culture of Arts article, it describes Mr.Copeland’s work, and inspiration. It also gives him a second page that has a very detailed biography describing the various galleries he has had his work displayed at.

Society Of Illustrators Trip!

These are the notes on the class trip to the Society of Illustrators.

  • Its off the F Train
  • White Walls with framed illustrations.
  • Red chairs and magazine racks in the center of the room.
  • A speaker introduces himself to us.
  • He is panting as if he is about to have a heart attack

“Every culture has story telling. Its the worlds 3rd oldest profession.”

  • The original exhibition has been on display every year for 35 years.
  • The Society started in 1901.
  • The illustrators current building is 4 stories high, and used to be a house for a wealthy family.
  • Later it was turned into an Illustrator club.
  • However, it was raided by the cops for performing nude shows. A much larger illustrator club bought them out.
  • On the second floor, there are two exhibitions called “Prime Baby” & “Boxer & Saints” by Gene Luen Yang.
  • Every January it has contests to determine the next exhibition.
  • There is a small fee for entering.
  • It is supposedly haunted by two ghosts.
  • In the early 30s and 40s, illustrators worked large with long due dates.
  • Artists could only work in collage, oil painting, and pen & in.
  • Today, you have to quickly produce sketches. There are next day due dates!
  • The drum in the dining hall has the signature of various famous figures.
  • 2,000 works of permanent art are being stored.
  • Tuesday + Thursday there are live model drawings from 6-9 pm for $7.

Bio

My name is Niaya Nix. I went to Laguardia High school, and currently attend New York City College of Technology. I am a second Year Communication Design Major.