Today we’d like to introduce you to Camilla Mikolajewska

Hi Camilla, 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?

I’ve been immersed in the arts community my entire life. As a child, I was a competitive classical pianist and vocalist, and I developed a deep appreciation for visual arts early on. However, I soon realized that I disliked the competitive nature of the classical music world and wasn’t comfortable being the center of attention all the time. I still wanted to create things that others could enjoy, which is how my journey in art and design really began.

I spent 10 years working in retail, starting as a sales associate and transitioning into designing storefronts and layouts. That complemented my internships at art galleries, where I was able to further explore my passion. Throughout my journey, I noticed that the art world was dominated by financial barriers and industry connections. With that in mind, I got competitive and seized every opportunity – no task was too small, and every connection mattered.

The concept of Vagabond emerged from my desire to create a space that fosters connection, creativity, and inclusivity within the arts community. When I moved from Toronto to Chicago, I decided to bring this vision to life by launching my first pop-up event. The response exceeded my expectations—not just in terms of sales, but in the enthusiastic feedback from attendees eager for more. Since then, Vagabond Art has grown significantly, and I am deeply grateful for the inclusive community we are building together.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

The road has absolutely not been smooth! There were years when I started work at 5 a.m. and didn’t finish until 11 p.m. I worked for bosses and teams who were under lots of pressure and faced many moments of doubt, wondering if I would ever make progress. I had more than a few moments when I questioned whether it was even possible to succeed. But over the years, I learned not to focus on what others were doing. Instead, I concentrated on seizing every opportunity that came my way to move forward.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I am the creative director of Vagabond Art, a curatorial initiative I started in November 2023 with connections I made after being deeply embedded in the creative community both in Chicago and Toronto. Vagabond Art is about forging impactful relationships that uplift up-and-coming creatives and transcend physical location. My curatorial initiative allows artists and other creatives to have equal access to arts professionals that might not typically be readily available to them. Sometimes the industry can be difficult to navigate, so my goal is to create conversations between emerging creatives and local businesses through events and exhibitions, removing the barrier that I and many others have had to overcome. What I’m most proud of is the welcoming community that Vagabond Art has fostered. Whether you’re an artist or come from a completely different industry, we’ve built a space where everyone can come together and appreciate the arts—something that, unfortunately, isn’t always common in this field.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?

Yoga and running have always been significant parts of my life— I’m actually in the middle of training for my first marathon. I also enjoy reading books on mindfulness, like What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey and How to Practice the Way to a Meaningful Life by the Dalai Lama. Running a business can be stressful, so I make it a point to stay grounded and remind myself that some things are beyond my control. Sometimes, I just need to go with the flow and let go, trusting that everything will work out in the end, although that’s definitely not always easy!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vbondart/