LEWISTON — Alexandra Hood is regularly mistaken for a Bates College student, and OK with that.

The 23-year-old artist and Lewiston native has been Olin Arts Center’s operations supervisor for almost two years.

“One student actually came in — he takes out keys for one studio a lot — and he said to me, ‘Man, you clock in so many hours here,'” said Hood. “‘Yeah, that’s because it’s my salary,’ and he was mortified. It was super funny.”

During the day, she works with the box office, designs concert posters, helps with social media and generally oversees the building with a crew of 14 student workers under her.

“The fact that I’m younger actually benefits them,” she said. “We have mutual respect for each other. They take me more seriously, I think.”

At night and on weekends and during any spare scrap of time, Hood paints, sometimes draws, and more recently, designs tattoos.

She finished 25 pieces last year. Her most popular commissions are portraits.

“I absolutely love it,” said Hood. “I love making work for people. I love making my own art and have people buy that — it’s a great compliment to sell your own artwork.” 

She grew up self-taught, buying how-to books and art books with her allowance and copying the pictures. After graduating from Lewiston High School in 2012, she went on to Elmira College, studying art and earning her bachelor’s degree in just three years.

“I wanted to come back to Lewiston, but I wasn’t sure if I could get a job in the arts around here,” Hood said.

She was hired at Bates College just two months later. She’s also been on the committee for Art Walk Lewiston Auburn and regularly displays during the walks.

“The fact that our arts community is blossoming the way it is, I think it’s incredible,” Hood said. “From when I left for college in 2012 to when I came back in 2015, our whole entire downtown was transformed. I wanted to come back and be a part of that. I’ve met everyone in the arts community, they embraced me in everything that they’re doing and now I’m an active part of it. It’s a great thing to be able to come back to your roots and help it grow.”

kskelton@sunjournal.com

“The fact that our arts community is blossoming the way it is, I think it’s incredible.”