My name is Dawn M. Cardona, and I am one of the new interns here at the Greater Augusta Arts Council. I am a multidisciplinary artist and have been working professionally as an illustrator for nearly 10 years. Since 2023, I have been attending Augusta University to earn my first art degree, which I am extremely excited about! In my time at AU, I slowly came to the realization that my heart wasn’t in Graphic Design, so these last couple of semesters I have been diving into experimenting with cyanotypes under my new concentration of Photography and Printmaking. If all goes well, I will graduate with my BFA in the Spring of 2027.

As one of the new interns for The Greater Augusta Arts Council, I am especially looking forward to gaining firsthand experience with festival planning, community outreach and working with the incredible team here. Having attended Arts in the Heart of Augusta for many years, it’s exciting to have the opportunity to experience the festival from a new perspective. Instead of participating as a visitor, I will have the chance to see the work that goes behind the scenes and contribute to creating an enjoyable experience for all involved: artists, performers, vendors, and attendees.

I am also excited that this internship will help me grow professionally beyond my own art practice and entrepreneurial pursuits by learning from experienced organizers and working in a collaborative environment while gaining a deeper understanding of the arts and nonprofit community.