Elaina Fuzi reflects on her experience as an American intern’s experience at CasildART Contemporary. Her blog explores art, identity, inclusion, and the power of conversation within cultural spaces.
Through Boston University’s London Study Abroad programme, I had the amazing opportunity to spend seven weeks as a social media and content creation intern at CasildART Contemporary. While my classes and early exploration of the city introduced me to British culture, it was my time at CasildART that offered the most meaningful and immersive experience of London life.
CasildART Contemporary is more than a gallery – it is a cultural space rooted in dialogue, accessibility, and community. From my first days there, it became clear that this internship would be as much about people and conversations as it was about professional development.
A view inside CasildART Contemporary, a London gallery dedicated to showcasing contemporary Black artists and inclusive cultural experiences.
What an Art Internship in London Really Taught Me
During my internship, I developed valuable practical skills, including video editing, content planning, and newsletter writing. However, the most impactful lessons didn’t come from tasks on my to-do list – they came from conversations.
I spent time engaging with gallery visitors, artists, collaborators, and especially with Sukai Eccleston, the founder and CEO of CasildART, who has lived in London since the age of six. Discussions flowed naturally and covered topics ranging from politics and racism to philosophy, music, history, relationships, and the realities of running a cultural organisation. These conversations never felt like lectures; instead, they were thoughtful, open, and reciprocal.
CasildART Contemporary creates a welcoming space where contemporary Black art sparks conversation, connection, and community engagement.
Identity, Heritage, and Finding Belonging Through Art
Many of the conversations at CasildART centred on heritage and identity, which resonated deeply with me. I was adopted from China as a baby and raised in a white family in a predominantly white community in West Michigan, USA. Growing up, I often felt culturally out of place – never fully identifying with either white American or Chinese American communities.
My school environment reflected this lack of diversity, and it wasn’t until university in Boston that I began engaging regularly with people from different cultural backgrounds. Studying abroad further expanded this perspective. Before London, I spent two months in Sydney, Australia, and each experience added new layers to my understanding of identity and belonging.
At CasildART, I was reminded that identity is rarely singular or fixed. Nationality, ethnicity, race, and heritage intersect in complex and deeply personal ways.
Sukai connecting with visitors, sharing her passion and creativity.
Why CasildART Contemporary Is an Inclusive Art Gallery
One of the most striking aspects of CasildART Contemporary is how welcoming and inclusive it feels. Fine art galleries are often perceived as intimidating, exclusive, or reserved for elite audiences. CasildART challenges this stereotype.
Although visitors are encouraged to book tickets for exhibitions, many people simply walk in after being drawn by an artwork in the window. Despite being located in an affluent area, the gallery attracts a wide range of visitors—from local community members to passers-by—as well as more traditional collectors.
Sukai’s approach embodies this openness. Even though the gallery officially closes at 6 pm, no one is turned away. On one occasion, two women arrived right at closing time and stayed until 8 pm, immersed in conversation that began with art and evolved into discussions about inclusive workplaces, heritage, and lived experience. Moments like this were not unusual at CasildART.
In His Own Image at CasildART Contemporary explores Black masculinity through powerful, personal works by contemporary Black artists.
How Contemporary Black Art Sparks Meaningful Conversations
CasildART Contemporary showcases work that is often excluded from mainstream galleries and institutions. As a result, the art naturally becomes a catalyst for dialogue, connecting emotions, politics, history, culture, and personal stories.
During my internship, the gallery launched a new exhibition, “In His Own Image,” which prompted powerful discussions around Black masculinity. Rather than reinforcing stereotypes, the exhibition centred how Black male artists see themselves and their relationship with the world.
Works such as The Usual Suspects I by @Kay Gasei explored the contrast between external perception and inner identity. Emotional Odyssey by @Gabriel Choto reflected on the expectations placed on young Black men. The Pain of Man’s Dominance by @Eme Omeh examined tenderness and protection in fatherhood, while @Echoes of the Unseen I explored displacement and the shifting nature of identity across borders.
Art at CasildART Contemporary goes beyond the walls, creating space for dialogue around identity, culture, and lived experience.
The Impact of CasildART Contemporary on Artists and Communities
As a journalism major and lifelong reader and writer, I strongly believe in the power of storytelling. Whether conveyed through words, images, or visual art, stories can challenge assumptions, expand perspectives, and foster connection.
CasildART Contemporary demonstrates how art can create space for meaningful exchange while celebrating difference and our shared humanity. My time at the gallery was more than an internship, it was an education in empathy, dialogue, and belonging.
This experience will stay with me long after leaving London, shaping how I understand art, identity, and the importance of inclusive cultural spaces.
