by Adam West
Alexis Gribbins, a junior at Centre College, recently received an incredible opportunity – a first among Centre students – to intern at a Disney park for the arts. As a studio art and business major, this is undoubtedly an exciting endeavor for Centre College and for Alexis alike. Here at The Cento, we decided to interview Alexis about this incredible news.
How would you describe the Disney art program that you’ll be involved in?
“It’s not necessarily an art program yet; it’s basically an entry level position at one of the parks. And I don’t know what park I’ll be in yet or what my job will be. I’ll probably figure that out around January, but it’s a great way to get your foot in the door with the company, and there’s a lot of classes and workshops available to you. And I think getting those connections is a good thing, and I plan on applying for a specific internship once this is over with – probably after graduation.”
How do you feel that you will get to be a part of this program?
“I’m very excited. I’m excited to meet people – people that are interested in the same thing because we’re all doing the same thing, and then making those connections through higher-up Disney employees, because I know a lot of them did start with the college program, and it’s given me more of a sense of direction, because I came into college knowing what majors I wanted, but not necessarily what career I wanted.”
What would you say the arts mean to you?
“I think it’s just a way of self expression. And it’s like, you’re literally making something out of nothing. And it could mean literally nothing. Sometimes you just like making cool [stuff].”
How would you describe your art?
“For a while I did a lot of realism, and I still do, but I like doing really weird things and pushing the limits, a little bit of what is comfortable and uncomfortable. [I get] a lot of inspiration from weird music, if anything. I am very fascinated with how the world of AI will influence art, and I’ve been exploring bits of that as well.”
I found a [Cento] article that says you did outside art on campus. What can you tell me about that experience, and how do you think it improved your art?
“Landscape is not my thing. I didn’t like it, but it did certainly make me improve by having to look at something and draw it despite weather changes and sunlight changes.”
What got you into art?
“Ever since I was alive I’ve just been into art. And I don’t think I got too serious about it until I got into high school. And I always said in middle school, ‘oh, I’ll go work for Disney.’ But I don’t think that was ever… like, how do you feasibly do that? But then I was like, ‘oh, I’ll try this, see what’s up.’”
What brought you to Centre?
“Oh, that’s an interesting story. I was going to UoL. I was in their art program; I had a dorm; I had a roommate; I had everything. And then I met Peter Trzop at a Cracker Barrel. I was working at Cracker Barrel, and I worked with and went to high school with his daughter, and… it was my senior art exhibition, and he was there and he saw it, and my manager was like, ‘this guy at this table wants to talk to you.’ And I was like, ‘well, I’m busy, but okay.’ And he was like, ‘I’ve seen your art (and he’s like a big Centre alumni) and I think you’re really good… would you consider Centre College?’ And I told him no. I was like, ‘Centre is expensive and it’s for smart people.’ And then I got a phone call from my high school art teacher a few days later. She’s like, ‘Well, would you go if Peter got you some money?’ And I was like, ‘Well, yeah, I would.’ So I got some money, and he helped me out with some scholarships, and he still continues to help me out with a lot of things coming. He got this whole thing set up for me, and I just felt like Centre was meant to be if a random man in a Cracker Barrel got me to Centre.”
We wish Alexis Gribbins the best of luck on her internship at Disney, and commend her for this outstanding opportunity!