Embracing New Leadership Roles: A Passion for Community
Having a creative community to draw upon is an important element to any artist's success. I know this because I craved community for much of my artistic journey, but lacked in the knowledge of where to find it as my focus was elsewhere while I navigated family life and living abroad. This changed when I moved to Los Angeles in 2018…
My first exposure Pasadena Photography Arts
My dear friend Cia Foreman took me around to LA gallery openings and shared her knowledge of the art scene and introduced me to her artist friends. It was overwhelmingly intimidating walking into gallery spaces. At this time, I was filling my time with workshops taught by Aline Smithson on the theme of succeeding as an artist. I then began to submit my photographs to online and in-person calls as I way to introduce my work into the art and photography scene. Lo and behold in January 2019 I woke to being accepted into the Pasadena Photography Arts (PPA) Open Show live event at the Armory Center for the Arts with my Extended Frame Photographs. To say that I was terrified is an understatement. On the evening of the event, the room was packed, there were 4 of us showing and the experience was amazing (see photos below). As I came off the podium at the end of the evening, I asked the event curator if there was any way for me to be involved with the organization, and that was the beginning of my involvement with PPA.
In 2022, I transitioned from being an Advisor to my now current position as PPA Co-Director alongside Doug Hill.
Pasadena Photography Arts (PPA) promotes diverse photography projects by established and emerging photographers worldwide through a series of events and shows. In addition, PPA is committed to sponsoring educational programs by accomplished photography professionals.
We currently have an open call for our IN-PERSON September Open Show which will be hosted back at the Armory in Pasadena. Click here to learn more.
Kristine Schomaker and the creation of January Arts
I met Kristine Schomaker in 2019 while attending LACP’s Street Week. In fact, I actually paid $25 to meet Kristine for a short review of my work. Several months later, Kristine invited me to participate in her traveling group exhibition Perceive Me. It is amazing to me to now reflect on this journey and the beautiful camaraderie and friendship we have cultivated from great mutual respect. After participating in Kristine’s Perceive Me, I continued to stay in touch with all that she was doing with the traveling exhibition and her ever-evolving art endeavors including Art and Cake and the Shoebox Projects. And this past Spring, I received a text from Kristine asking if I was free for a quick chat. And this is where the new journey begins…
As of today, I now stand as Board President of Kristine’s new non-profit January Arts, which is a community-based organization dedicated to providing equitable access to resources, support and connection to underserved artists in California. I’m so excited to support this endeavor alongside the other Board and Advisor Members! We are just getting started, and are certainly merely the support behind the engine. Stay tuned for many amazing things to come!
January Arts has an unwavering commitment to underserved artists
We are a hub, a facilitator, a connector, an introduction to the art world—the place where any artist can find mentorship, professional development, exhibition opportunities, critique groups, professional speakers, workshops, tools, and more.
The last 6 years have been filled with so much newness on every level. Expanding one’s community and art practice takes a lot of discipline, perseverance and courage to be open to the creative process, which often feels daunting. My eagerness to connect upon landing in Los Angeles is what has led me to these two very different yet interlinked leadership roles.