We were lucky to catch up with Theresa Polley-Shellcroft recently and have shared our conversation below.

Theresa , appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

From the age of 4, I knew that the arts, especially the visual arts was my path. I often doubled that I knew at such a young age, until my son, at age 4 said that he was a writer. Then my first granddaughter announced that she was an artist at the age of 4. This was not a coincidence …it was confirmation, Growing up, I always had my family support and encouragement. At no time was I every told that “I was not or could not” follow my dream. In addition to these confirmations, I did not grow up exposed to art books or to museums. The passion was inborn and natural. I always had pencil and paper at hand to draw. Often, I think, that others, family, teachers, friends, etc. saw more in me than I did. Often, there has been much doubt, however, I cannot dismiss my desire to create in many media…mainly painting, collage, mixed media and fabric.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

“I was born with a star over my head!” is what I frequently say. That star is my passion for the visual arts and inspiring others to not only to follow their dream but to also follow their creative spark. I am the eldest of the grandchildren of Leonard and Daisy Polley of Huntington WV. I grew up during segregation in a very loving, supportive and safe African America community that has shaped me as an artist and as one dedicated to inspiring others. In our community, our parents and teachers and other community members put together a community arts program, CDIC, the Child Development and Improvement Club for ages 5 -17. On Saturdays in our local community center we had dance, art, tumbling, marching, etc. That same community center, the Scott Community Center is still in service today. Based upon this model, I established in 2003 tps Creative Expressions, Inc, 501C-3 organization to promote the arts for all ages in our community. Through this organization we have organized art exhibits for all ages; quilt exhibitions, Journey thru Cancer for Survivors and Caregivers ( with the arts) multicultural art programs, workshops in the arts and other art related programs. All free to the participants. I am most proud of my dedicated to the arts and the community inspiring others to believe in their dreams, find their creativity and follow their heart. Above all else, I want others to know that if this brown girl from Huntington WV can have a quilt in the Smithsonian and other public and private venues, they can too. As an art educator, consultant and mentor, I want to continue my creative works and inspire others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

With all of my accolades, awards and honors as a creative, as an educational leader, as well as one dedicated to the community empowerment, there are/have been times when I have felt invisible. There are many times when I have felt overlooked, ignored and not worthy. Times when my work and my honored status have been ignored by both the close community as well as the larger world of art. Often I have doubted the validity of my passion for the arts as an artist. It felt as if I was “invisible” and I in fact made a painting reflecting that status. It is these times when I need my art and creative endeavors most to confirm my path as well as my talent. To confirm me! When I take out my journals, sketchbooks and works of art, they have been the boost to keep going. In them I see who and what I am. When I look at my fourth grade drawing my grandmother kept, I knew that she believed in my art and “that star over my head!” In the dark, I keep moving, not being able to see my way, but I continue to hang onto that “Star”! Often I say that even if no one noticed me,or my art, I have to keep creating. I have to keep inspiring others. I have to be true to me! Instead of picking myself up by my “bootstraps” I pick up a pencils, a brush, needle and thread and create for me! That is my resilience. That keeps me going. And that little girl at age four said ‘I am an artist!” To thine own self be true! says the writing on the Wall.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

One of my missions in life as an art educator/consultant in promoting the arts is to make the public in general, more aware of the value of the arts to society. As humans, we are creatives, that is how we have survived. When we survey human footprints upon this planet, it is the handiwork left as a testament to creativity. Yet, we often consider the arts as frivolous and unimportant. Schools have lost awareness of their value and in most school districts, they are non existent. I learned to read music at the age of 8 years. From reading music, playing the piano and flute (age 10) I understood math. Through the arts we develop critical thinking skills, foster communication and learn about each other. I love working with adults who think that they have not a creative bone in their body nor do they think they are creative. I love their look of surprise at what creative things they produce. I love working with families in the arts and seeing their bonding and deeper communication. Society can put the arts back in place as a part of the life of everyone, not just the “gifted.” (We are all gifted!) Society can foster more caring and acceptance for each other if the arts are fostered from early ages for everyone. Society would benefit by building more places for the arts and holding them in as high esteem as sport arenas. Making more places, spaces and financial support so that the arts are available to everyone, not the few would go a long way to building healthy, loving communities.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: Studio One Artworks/ tps Creative Expressions, Inc.

Image Credits
Photo of me, Yvonne Hernandez