Today we’d like to introduce you to Cicely Miller.
Hi Cicely, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am Cicely Miller, a professional multidisciplinary artist, and entrepreneur who possess plenty of sunshine mixed with a little drop of rain. I am the owner, artist, and CCO of Cicely’s Jazzy Art. Our mission is to provide beautiful, unique, colorful, custom, and functional art of superior quality accompanied by excellent customer service. We ensure our employees have access to fair compensation and creative workspaces that encourage teamwork and growth opportunities. CJA strives to bridge the gap between art and the community by producing art, encouraging budding artists while supporting seasoned ones, and formulating unique fundraising channels to assist community organizations in reaching their financial goals.
Three major programs come under the CJA umbrella…The Celebrating Art, CJA 3D Virtual Art Gallery and Fundraiser and The Created to Create Arts and Technology Foundation, a non-profit.
Celebrating Art is a format for visual artists of all ages to compete and exhibit work. My idea is to specifically support people who are just getting started in the world of visual arts, especially our youth. Through this program, we solicit K-12 students who are interested in displaying their artwork and are juried awards and cash prizes. Occasionally, this will be a platform for adult art competitions. We plan to use people of all ages and backgrounds as judges.
CJA 3D Virtual Art Gallery and Fundraiser, I believe, this is a game-changer. When you view it, you feel as if you are in an art gallery. The program is open to all and requires little to no operating expenses and yields a 50% commission on sales for your organization. The good news is that it is accessible anywhere online with great finds for everyone.
Hosting an Evening at the Gallery has proven successful to those organizations looking to reach their fundraising goals, in style. An Art Exhibition and Virtual Fundraiser, A Perfect Pairing. Demos can be scheduled by contacting cjazzyart@yahoo.com.
Created to Create Arts and Technology Foundation, non-profit has been established. The mission is to promote creativity, expression and education through visual arts and technology. Our goal is to empower our youth and serve communities, especially the underserved. Offerings will include services, such as Training and Education, Forums, Tours, Art Exhibitions, Information & Research, Promotion & Audience Development, and Leverage Resources. Ideally, we want to link with people who want to utilize the program and contribute voluntarily or monetarily.
Cicely’s Jazzy Art can be described as the intersection between visual art and social awareness, between education, entertainment and fundraising. We like to show people what they love to see, plus, what they need to see, and deliver this information through multiple platforms.
Cicely has a B. A. Degree in Mass Communications, Xavier University of Louisiana, and she earned a Master of Art in Art Technology and Emerging Communication, University of Texas at Dallas.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The major obstacles/challenges facing creative entrepreneurs are universal and Cicely’s Jazzy Art is no different. Budgeting is always a major concern as there are so many facets to it and recording keeping is tedious but necessary.
Marketing is one of the most arduous as social media must be engaged daily. Learning how to best market yourself and your business is ever-changing. Balancing time while wearing so many diverse hats is hectic but manageable. Learning to prioritize your responsibilities is key.
COVID-19 has been a blessing and a curse. Prior to it, most of my business came from outside shows and art exhibitions. With all my in-person events being canceled, I lost business; however, it gave me time to improve processes, initiate new programs, and create more art.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been drawing and painting prior to starting school. My gumbo of artistry is a collection of black history, imagery of faces, abstract figures, and current events. I enjoy placing my original creations on functional items, such as cutting boards, coasters, clutch bags, awards, and apparel. My colorful selections of original and custom art provide a diverse collection.
Textile/Apparel Design
Fashion is no longer just reserved for the runway and Cicely has her hands into the textile/fashion design arena with the pieces coming directly from her original
art, now wearable art. Art and fashion have had an intimate relationship and Cicely is right in the thick of it. She recently collaborated with a major retailer to create their 2023 Black History Collection. Keep an eye out for her soon-to-release fashion line.
Graphic/Website Design
Cicely uses her work to serve clients, brands, and other commercial purposes. The lines between graphic and web design can sometimes be closely related. Cicely can do both and has an impressive portfolio to prove it.
NFTs/Crypto Art
Non-fungible tokens are changing the way we own thing, digitally. Cicely has several collections on the Open Sea blockchain, and they can be viewed at https://opensea.io/
Awards and Recognition
Cicely was recently awarded the 2022 Best of Show Theme Related piece entitled Medical Thinker at the Lenora Rolla Ninth Annual Art Show.
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Psi Chapter presented Cicely with the 2022 Doretha N. Hornbuckle Business Entrepreneur Award.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Throughout my career, I have received invaluable assistance to grow my business and make Cicely’s Jazzy Art a success. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude for those who helped me along the way and continue to support Cicely’s Jazzy Art. To my mother, aunts, family members, friends, staff, customers, business contacts, and acquaintances, thank you for the advice, emotional and financial support, just everything. Additionally, I would like to thank Voyage Dallas for affording me this opportunity.
Upcoming events include The Essence Music Festival Virtual Marketplace and the Spectacular Black Girl Art Show in Dallas.
- Email: cjazzyart@yahoo.com
- Website: http://www.artgallerycja.com
- Instagram: @cjazzyart
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cjazzyart
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cjazzyart
- Other: https://www.artgallerycja.com/about
