Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to MARCELA KOURKOVA. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, MARCELA thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most current meaningful project was organizing a group art show at the American Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic. When I immigrated in 1986 to the USA from then communist Czechoslovakia, I always dreamed of connecting both countries and create a dialog. That dream came to fruition this summer when the art show “Czech Footprint” became a reality. I was able to exhibit my artworks, as well as artworks of my husband Roger Bohuslav who is an American of Czech heritage. This project was meaningful for me because I returned to the Czech Republic as a Czech-American connecting both cultures with art, a language which everyone can relate with and appreciate.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I have been making art and exhibiting in Texas over 20 years. Presently, I am opening my door to my home studio in Buda, TX and I also continue to engage in art related projects in my community. In 2019, when I’ve created a group with my husband artist Roger Bohuslav Fine Art Buda and it was then when we’ve started to beautify Buda with street art and exhibits at local venues, repainting a local restaurant Esther’s Tex Mex, etc…and this year I will be serving on the newly created Arts Commission in Buda, TX. I am looking forward to it because there is never enough art and color around and my mission is to created unique cultural experiences for the locals as well as tourists visiting our town. I am proud of my accomplishments in my community and over the years I’ve learned what it means to go after your dream no matter what. And as long as I can, I will.

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

In my view, what society can do is to think about the community and how creatives can benefit the locals and tourism. Imagine not using monetary funds, so a simple way to help out is to tell a friend, show up, share events on social media, use a hashtag, be proactive, promote and educate in any way you can, there only needs to be a good will to support creative ecosystem. A good will. It’s that simple. Society can start something on a regular basis, a promo of a new artwork on a wall, an event that’s coming up, promote during the event and even beyond the event, etc…every possible way to advertise and keep a community in the loop and repeat and keep going, be proactive, and repeat. I say: take advantage of what’s front of you, here is an artist, well, let’s do something about it; not necessary for the artist, but for our society. If everybody pitches in and do something on regular basis and keeps going then the community will see that there is something of a value and that it is culturally enriching their lives. Unfortunately, the reality is not as “giving” as I am describing here and often, art is being viewed as “not important”. Main thing is to get over our egos and do what you can for the larger good, your community, children, the future. Period.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I think that NFTs, which is a digital art that cannot be replicated or reproduced, is a modern way to sell something. I would call it a fad because there is nothing like buying an artwork the “old-fashion” way, a tangible piece that is valued. I don’t know how I can value a picture I own on my phone.

Contact Info:

• Website: czgallerymar.square/site
• Instagram: @fine_art_buda @marcelastudio @maro_collab @marcelastudio2

Image Credits
Marcela Kourkova