Today we’d like to introduce you to Joetta Currie.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I spent a good part of my early years on my grandparent’s farm in Kentucky. When I wasn’t shelling peas or feeding chickens, you could find me drawing pictures for the outhouse wall. It wasn’t ideal gallery space, but it did provide a captive, even contemplative audience.
Every picture told a story, every story stayed in my head until now. The stories and images have come together revealing the best, worst and all that’s in the middle, of a lifetime of experience and imagination.
After college, I opened Room One Studio in Cincinnati, taking on all sorts of creative jobs including: illustration and graphic art, set design, casting, make up, on-camera talent and voice over for film and television.
I moved to Dallas in 1986 and for the last 30 years, I’ve owned and operated, ArtVentures® Studio, a visual arts educational facility for children and teens. The studio has helped to inspire thousands of young artists to explore and develop their creative passions. In turn, I have been inspired by their wonderment, imagination and the freedom of limitless possibilities.
In 2012, I decided to devote all my time to writing and creating art. Attending writer’s conferences and retreats helped to educate and inspire, not just my writing, but my artistic process. I sold the ArtVentures Studio facility in Rockwall and now work from a private studio.
As a writer, I work in several genres including: Picture Books, Chapter Books and Adult Fiction. My manuscripts for adults: Orphanage and A Sorry Thing, have been completed and are actively being submitted for publication.
As an artist, I have launched a new venture-Mosaic Art Place. I will soon have a venue in Rockwall, an active Etsy site, and as I develop my product line, plan to expand into other markets.
I continue to teach small classes and private lessons for students devoted to art.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My first location was in an abandoned building next to a restaurant. I had to rebuild the floor from old lumber in the back field and was almost frightened to death by a rattlesnake.
I opened ArtVentures Studio and Gallery in 1993, when I was five months pregnant with my son. At two weeks he came to work with me. I ran the gallery, painted, designed custom framing and taught art classes, with him in a sling on my chest. I would put a “back in five minutes” sign on the doors when I breastfed. It was delightful having him with me. I was thirty-seven. I had waited to have a child, and didn’t want someone else to take care of him.
Writing and creating art is intrinsic. Editing is a challenge. Promoting and submitting for publication are hard. Rejection isn’t a problem, until you reach thirty-five or forty, then it sucks like hell.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about ArtVentures Studio LLC – what should we know?
ArtVentures Studio was one of a kind in Rockwall. The only facility that focused on teaching children about art from age four to eighteen. I also had adult classes, mosaic workshops and was a venue for art parties for children.
I taught the fundamentals: the Elements, Principles and above all-exploring and expanding the “idea.”
My favorite Gurdon Woods quote: Art is idea, it is not enough to draw, paint and sculpt. An artist should be able to think.
I am most proud of the change that I helped bring about in our community. I served on the city’s first Cultural Arts and Art in Public Places Commissions, was a founding director of the Rockwall County Alliance for the Arts, President of the Rockwall Art League, Member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and served on the board of the Rockwall Community Playhouse, where I volunteer to paint sets for the season productions. My work in these areas helped to create an awareness of the arts in Rockwall.
I am proud when a parent comes up to me and tells me of the positive impact I had on their child.
I am proud of my students when they get accepted into SCAD or other colleges of art.
As an artist and writer-I just love doing it.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Persistence
Research
Individual Attention to Customers
A Desire to Do Something Good
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joettacurrie.com | https://www.mosaiacartplace.com https://www.etsy.com/shop/MosaicArtPlace
- Phone: 214 543 3381
- Email: joettacurrie@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joettacurrie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosaicartplace/ https://www.facebook.com/joettacurrieartistandwriter/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/joettacurrie
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/artventuresstud/
Image Credit:
All images are property of ArtVentures Studio LLC
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
