From UNI’s Public Art Incubator to Universal Studios
From UNI’s Public Art Incubator to Universal Studios
Even as a graphic design major, Rachel Heine has discovered that some of her favorite art projects require power tools and safety gear. This affinity, honed through her time working for UNI’s Public Art Incubator, led to a spring internship with Universal Studios in Orlando.
“Having this job with the Public Art Incubator definitely set me up for this because the whole reason they decided to choose me is I have this hands-on experience of building things from the ground up,” she said.
Heine spent the semester working with concrete, a medium she didn’t have experience with prior to the internship. And while she’s been sworn to secrecy on the projects she helped with, her work will be visible at the Epic Universe Theme Park when it opens in summer 2025.
“I got so much info on everything that's happening,” she said. “The gigantic project they're working on right now — my mind was blown. It was super cool being able to see everything, and there's so much that goes into the development of a theme park.”
Through the internship, Heine was able to learn what it’s like to work in a real corporate office. She also gained confidence and a greater sense of independence living on her own so far away from her hometown of LeClaire, Iowa.
“Internships or real-world experience — that's what will really test you and show you what it's like to work a corporate job,” said Heine. “Also, you get to find your passion. If you are in that field, you do an internship and don't like it, you may have time to switch and find something you would enjoy more.”
Heine’s application to the Universal Studios internship included a letter of recommendation from Public Art Incubator coordinator Dan Perry and a portfolio of work that included pieces she’d fabricated in the Public Art Incubator.
Heine hadn’t considered working with the incubator until Perry approached her after he’d taught her in two sculpture classes. Housed in the Kamerick Art Building, the Public Art Incubator is a unique program where students, under staff supervision, construct commissioned public art pieces for professional artists. The incubator has constructed art for public spaces like libraries and parks all around the country.
Perry was quick to see that he’d made a smart choice in hiring her.
“She's a very hard worker,” he said. “I don't have to think twice about Rachel showing up and doing the work.”
The respect Perry has for Heine is mutual. Of all the faculty and staff members Heine has interacted with during her time at UNI, Perry stands out as one of the most influential, right alongside Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Riva Nayaju who also wrote her a letter of recommendation.
“He’s just a good teacher and a good person,” Heine said of Perry.
A typical day in the art incubator begins with Heine putting on safety gear to weld or grind. This includes a coat, gloves and respirator. Sometimes, she might work on repairing a sculpture. Other times, the Public Art Incubator fabricates based on blueprints or 3D models.
“Every day looks a little different, which is something I really like,” Heine said. “I really like working with my hands. Metalwork, using power tools — stuff like that is really fun to me.”
Her first summer at the Public Art Incubator in 2022, Heine was able to assist with the Dream House sculpture that has since been installed in downtown Cedar Falls. This summer, she is working on her own sculpture. The piece, which has yet to be titled, is a treble clef. When fabricated, it will be eight feet tall.
Perry said it’s common for students working in the Public Art Incubator to fashion their own pieces because any revenue the incubator makes goes toward helping students buy materials for their own creations.
“In an ideal world, students build their sculptures, get them out in some of these community exhibitions, and they start making money off the artwork so they can fund their next project,” said Perry. “Eventually, they have a really sound portfolio that’s competitive upon their graduation, and they’re also making money off their art. I’m hoping to start a perpetual cycle for them in a way.”
Heine, who is a senior, is unsure if her future holds a career in graphic design, sculpture, concrete or something entirely different. But no matter what route she takes, she’s grateful for the opportunities the Public Art Incubator has afforded her.
“I would never have envisioned myself doing this in college, but I’m glad I found it because this is my outlet and it makes me happy,” she said.
