In December, Katia Porro, SVAD History student, left for Venice, Italy upon graduation to intern at the prestigious Peggy Guggenheim Museum. The museum is one of Europe’s premier museums of modern art. Porro also had the great fortune of studying abroad in Italy with SVAD Assistant Professor, Margaret Ann Zaho, Ph.D.
While Porro worked on her undergraduate degree, she presented her study on Romaine Brooks and the female dandy at last year’s SVAD Art History Symposium. She also researched and catalogued the Harriet Lake costume collection. Porro is currently applying to programs in curatorial studies in fashion.
When asked to say a few words about how SVAD has influenced her career path and current internship at the Guggenheim, Porro explained, “I cannot express how honored I am to discover I have been offered an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy. What a fantastic way to end my undergraduate career! My time as a student at SVAD has prepared me for my future in many ways. From our amazing faculty, professors, and resources, I have gained an abundance of knowledge that will be beneficial to my beginnings as a young professional in the field of art. Volunteering at the UCF gallery, being President of the Art History Club, and the research I have conducted as a student has led me to an opportunity of a lifetime. I cannot thank those who have helped me along the way enough. I am excited to begin my post-undergraduate journey and will always remember that I could not have done it without the support and resources I was provided with here at UCF.”
Byron Clercx, SVAD Director, comments, “Securing one of the highly competitive internships at one of Europe’s acclaimed museums, Ms. Porro represents another superb SVAD student success story. Affable, mature, and keenly inspired, Katia’s contagious enthusiasm for life and learning, is reflected in her adept thinking and writing that will serve her well as an emerging arts scholar, and in life.
SVAD Assistant Professor, Ilenia Colon Mendoza, Ph.D. who was one of Porro’s Art History professors says, “Katia has worked very hard to earn this honor. Her commitment to research is evidenced by her presentation at the third annual SVAD Art History Symposium and her participation in the Harriet Lake costume project. This internship is the continuation of a series of goals Katia has met so she can become a fashion curator. I am so proud of her accomplishment and I can’t wait to see what else her future holds.”