Mariah Reading said her summer fellowship at the University of Maine Museum of Art has solidified her desire to work with art and children.

Working with the museum’s summer art camps has been the most rewarding part of her internship, she said, and pointed her toward a future career in art education. “It’s made it clear to me that this is something I really want to do with my life. This experience has taught me so much about myself, about kids and about education,” she said.

Reading has a Bowdoin Career Planning grant from the Preston Public Interest Career Fund to work for the museum this summer in what would have been an uncompensated position. She has been working closely with the museum’s educator to design and run week-long art programs for local children aged 6 to 15.

Reading grew up in Bangor, where the museum is located, and went to Bangor High School. Part of the University of Maine Museum of Art’s mission is to bring the arts to the downtown and contribute to the beautification of the city, Reading said.

As an artist herself, Reading said she appreciates spreading the joy of making art to others. “I love seeing other people get excited and happy through art,” she said. “It’s a really good outlet for kids who might not be able to easily express themselves in another way.”