Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Coleman.
Hi Courtney, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hi. I’m Courtney, or Ms. Coleman to my students. I am a K-6th grade art teacher and on the Artist Guild for Essexs Studios. I help with the three Art Walks Essexs Studios puts on the first weekends in May, October and December.
I moved to Cincinnati almost three years ago from Chicago for a teaching job. I grew up in Dayton Ohio, and left for to finish my BFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After school I worked with an art based ministry for three years and then as a nanny for the following eight years. Nanny work landed me in the classroom. I had never really thought about teaching until then. But jumped in full swing. After being an assistant art teacher two years in Chicago, I started looking for lead art teacher positions. Nearly a hundred applications later, dozens of interviews, and one strand of spaghetti I threw at the wall in Ohio, I landed back here.
Quickly started looking for a church, and that search brought me to Missio Dei church that happens to share space with Essex Studios. In a meeting with lead pastor I heard his heart for the art community around us, and decide to get involved. I reached out to Essexs Studios and joined the art walk planning committee, and happily joined the church.
I’ve now been a part of five art walks, and helped kick off Missio Galleries through Missio Dei church. We’ve hosted three shows so far. It’s been so fun to have such a neat connection to the art scene here in Cincinnati.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been anything but smooth. My move from Chicago was unexpected and sudden. A difficult transition. My first teaching job here was a bad fit. It was also my first time living without roommates. I was homesick and lonely. Honestly a little traumatized by events on either side of my move. That first year in Cincinnati is not one I care to repeat. But it has steadily gotten better. Being involved in a great church, the art scene here in Cincinnati through Essex Studios, and finding a teaching job I really enjoy have all helped.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an art teacher. But I’m an artist first. I specifically love sculpture and painting. Primarily focusing on emotional abstract expressionism painting these past couple years. But I’m really looking forward to getting involved with the ceramic scene here once summer starts.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’m not sure luck has anything to do with it. So much of being an artist is about showing up, following through, and taking risks. It has been a joy to see my efforts in art bring incredible opportunities and connections though. I’ve met so many amazing people through the Art Walks, all because I saw a need to serve, and took the risk to show up and follow through. It’s all been a lot of fun. Perhaps that’s how I’m lucky, finding the silver lining and community in a place that doesn’t quite feel like home yet, but is growing on me. It has been life giving to connect with so many creatives in Cincinnati.
Pricing:
- Paintings range from $100-$500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fromearththroughfire.etsy.com
- Instagram: @from.earth.through.fire
