2025 Dick Polich Intern Spotlight: Lyanna Wilcox's Summer at The Rock Tavern Foundry

What motivated you to apply for an internship/apprenticeship at UAP?

Lyanna Wilcox [LW]: I have always been an artist and have a passion for learning about different types of art and sculpture. Since taking a welding class in high school, I became very interested in applying my artistic skills to metal. Growing up in the Hudson Valley, I was exposed to a vibrant arts scene while discovering my own interests in the arts, which led me to Storm King Arts Center. Upon visiting there, it confirmed for me that I could combine both of my interests in welding and art. After that, I was eager to find a place where I could pursue this passion. My family and I searched for opportunities, and eventually, we found UAP. I decided to give it a go, so one day I searched for “UAP internship" and applied immediately! I was quite nervous but also incredibly happy when I found out I was accepted to work there.

Can you describe your role and the projects you've worked on?

[LW]: Throughout my internship, I worked in the fabrication, finishing, and wax departments. In fabrication, I had the opportunity to practice some welding and complete welds for reinforcement pieces. In the finishing department, I worked on refinishing sample pieces for the patina department, filling holes, grinding down welds on cast pieces, and restoring texture to those pieces as if nothing had been welded there. In the wax department, I reworked PMMA pieces and placed them on wax sticks for future casting.

What was your favourite project or task, and why?

[LW]: My favourite project was in the finishing department. I genuinely enjoyed sculpting metal with the various pneumatic tools we had there. One highlight was working on the animal statues for Jeffery Gibson.

What aspects of working at UAP do you enjoy the most?

[LW]: I appreciated the variety of tools available and all the new techniques I learned from my coworkers. I also liked the supportive environment cultivated among staff; everyone looked out for one another and offered help whenever needed.

What have you learned about yourself during this internship/apprenticeship?

[LW]: I discovered what I’d like to focus on in my personal art practice and realised that I can create whatever I envision. There truly are no limits to what I can make, no matter how ambitious or outlandish it may seem.

How do you think this internship/apprenticeship will impact your future career?

[LW]: I believe this internship will have a positive impact on my future career. In the eight weeks I was there, I learned a lot about the various options available to me as an artist. I can certainly see myself returning to work here or becoming one of the artists whose work is created here. The staff are highly knowledgeable, and I can also envision reaching out in the future for guidance in both craftsmanship and personal matters.

If you could spend one extra week in any department here, which would it be and why?

[LW]: I would choose to return to the finishing department. I really enjoyed reworking and adding texture back into metal. That experience was the most rewarding for me as a student and an emerging artist, as I was able to identify my interests.

Did you have any mentors or teammates who had a strong influence on your experience?

[LW]: Some teammates and mentors who significantly impacted my experience were Insun Kim, Brian Baringer, and Laura Gunsch.

If you could describe your apprenticeship in three words, what would they be?

[LW]: Invigorating, challenging, and rewarding.

What advice would you give to future interns/apprentices at UAP?

[LW]: Stand up for yourself, as starting out with little background knowledge can be overwhelming at first. The only way I truly learned was by expressing myself and asking questions.

Learn more about our partnership with the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan that brought the Dick Polich Internship Fund to life: https://cfosny.org/our-funds/field-of-interest/dick-polich-youth-internship-fund/