An Intern’s Perspective on LAB 2026
Interview with LAB Interns Sonya Vasileva and Diana Zelayandia
Founded in 2010, Locust Art Builders: Summer Art Intensive for Teens and the simultaneous LAB MFA exhibition, summer internships and teaching artist summer studio residency programs are a core component of Locust’s commitment to support and mentor the next generation of artists.
As part of this commitment, we extend paid opportunities to high-school and college-level interns each summer to support the summer art intensive and exhibition programs. Interns are given project assignments during their time at Locust. Sonya and Diana's projects included documenting both LAB over the five-week installation for a behind-the-scenes look at the LAB experience and development of the students’ collaborative exhibition culminating in their final project - the LAB documentary video, which both Sonya and Diana filmed, with Sonya in a lead role in editing and Video Production. Diana had been a previous member of the 2025 LAB Cohort, and returned as an opportunity to give back to LAB, and experience it again, albeit this time as spectator in charge of documenting the Process. Sonya, our Communications Intern, is pursuing a BFA in Sculpture with a minor in Art History at the University of Miami. She joined the Locust Projects team to gain hands-on experience with a community-centered arts nonprofit and to learn what it means to give back through the arts.
2026 Locust Art Builders Cohort
Sonya, I want to first thank you for your time for this quick interview. I want to first ask you about how you first found out about Locust Projects and how that led you to apply as an intern for LAB?
S: Several of my professors at the University of Miami had mentioned Locust Projects, and I had also come across it online. I was interested in interning at an art organization in Miami this summer, specifically something that wasn't a gallery, but more of a nonprofit. I wanted to learn more about how an organization like this works from the inside, and to bring value through whatever work and help I could offer. That's exactly what Locust Projects is, and I feel like I got exactly what I came for. I'm really happy I ended up applying and interning here.
While working, I’m sure you had a few problems on your plate. What were some challenges or obstacles that you have faced? How did you face those challenges or obstacles?
R: I don't think I ran into too many challenges, honestly. The biggest one was when the Communications and Content Manger, Sid, had to be away for about a week and a half. Without working with her directly, I had to figure out what needed to get done next, and take a lot of initiative to make sure everything was going according to plan. I had support from Andrew, the Art and Digital Innovation Manager, and other staff members, but still was interviewing the WaveMaker artists in residence and LAB students, getting footage from the LAB program, and working on the final documentary. Editing that documentary has probably been the biggest challenge, since I hadn't done anything quite like it before. But it's been a great learning experience.
CLICK to scroll through images of students building their show and interacting with arts professionals during our Mentor Meet and Greet
While walking around and witnessing the students interact with each other and the mentors that came to Locust Projects, what are your thoughts on seeing their hard work for these exhibitions come into fruition? What did you least expect?
S: It's been really wonderful to watch everything unfold, from the early workshops where artists would come in and introduce different techniques, all the way to the exhibition they're setting up right now. It's genuinely inspiring, and there's this sense of pride watching them get here, especially knowing they only had five weeks. From interviewing the LAB students, I can say they're all very different people with their own voices, and seeing them come together and cooperate the way they have is awesome. If anything surprised me, it was the scale of the exhibition and the level of work and attention to detail they've put into it.
After working hard for these past 5 weeks, did you build up or improve any new skills? Do you think you will use those skills in your future endeavors?
S: Over these five weeks I feel like I've become even more dedicated and professional in how I work. Problem solving, time management, and initiative have all been sharpened here. Handling multiple things at the same time, responsibly and to the best of my ability, is something I've always done, but I can clearly see it's improved. I'll definitely carry all of that into my artistic and professional career going forward.
What was your favorite part of interning at Locust? Do you have any final words you would like to tell future interns that find interest at Locust Projects or see what goes into making a successful exhibition?
S: Honestly, the community at Locust Projects. Everyone who works here is genuinely inviting and warm, and even when I wasn't working directly alongside someone, just being in the space with them made the experience feel welcoming. I'm very grateful for that. I also really valued the opportunity to meet artists and speak with them directly: interviewing the WaveMaker artists in residence, talking to people at Laundromat Art Space and Bakehouse Art Complex during the field trip, and meeting new people at the LAB artist meet and greet. To future interns I would just say: enjoy your time here and make the most of it. There's so much to take in.
What are your final thoughts about the final exhibition, “Build for Better”?
S: Seeing the exhibition come together just makes me think, wow. It's amazing, and I'm so glad these students had the opportunity to do something like this. You can see the attention to detail in everything, and you can feel how each student put a piece of themselves and their artistic voice into the work. It all comes together and looks wonderful. I hope this is just the beginning for them, whether they continue working on their own projects, start collaborating with each other, or find new people to create with. It's really great to witness.
CLICK to scroll through images of students on opening night below and check out the rest of the photos here!
See how it all turned out! Watch the final documentary
produced by JULIAN HENRIQUEZ and RIC CALIX below!
ABOUT THE INTERNS
Sonya Vasileva (left)
Sonya, our Communications Intern, is pursuing a BFA in Sculpture with a minor in Art History at the University of Miami. She joined the Locust Projects team to gain hands-on experience with a community-centered arts nonprofit and to learn what it means to give back through the arts.
This summer, Sonya has been documenting the LAB experience through photography and video, while also sitting down with our WaveMaker artists-in-residence to learn more about their creative process and time at Locust Projects.
Diana Zelayandia (right)
Diana, a returning LAB alum! A recent graduate of Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH), Diana will attend the Honors College at Miami Dade College this fall, where she’ll major in Nursing. Passionate about the impact art can have on individuals and communities, Diana works alongside Lead Mentor Teaching Artist Crystal Pearl to support the day-to-day LAB program while documenting the students’ creative journey and assisting Sonya with the LAB documentary.
THE ARTISTS
Angelica Azocar, Danielle Ben Sira Vasyur, Yann Boichuk, Yilin Chen, Milana Chekhliaieva, Eternity Ephord, Alexander Gooding, Victoria Gutierrez, Charlotte Henry, Saniya Henry, Mylana Kunitsyna, Michelle Lopez, Jazmin Mayer, Laurent Medelus, Mateo Ratti, Lilyana Revollon, Jacob Sorto, Isabella Truyol, and Matthew Williams.
SCHOOLS REPRESENTED
Coral Reef Senior High, Design and Architecture Senior High, Miami Arts Charter School, Miami Beach Senior High School, New World School of the Arts, and South Dade Senior High
This year’s LAB is led by Lead Mentor Artist Crystal Pearl Molinary Garcia, with workshops led by guest artists and technicians including: founding LAB Lead Mentor Artist Monica Lopez De Victoria; longtime LAB Lead Mentor Artist Loni Johnson; Pangea Kali Virga; Charo Oquet; Past LAB Mentor Artist, Cynthia Cruz; and Mark Herrera; with additional support from Locust Projects team members.
Celebrating its 16th year in 2026, Locust Art Builders: Summer Art Intensive for Teens, aka LAB, is a unique five-week pre-college program for up to 30 high school students with an interest in art, design, and exploring creative careers as they collaboratively build an exhibition from scratch.
2026 Locust Art Builders (LAB) Summer Art Intensive for Teens is made possible through lead support from The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, The Children’s Trust and the Hillsdale Fund. Additional support provided by The Kirk Foundation and Locust Projects’ INCUBATORS, Friends of the Next Generation.
Special Thanks Jerry’s Artarama, official art supplies sponsor for LAB.