We recently connected with Anna McKeown and have shared our conversation below.

Anna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve always been a very expressive person and, honestly I’ve always been a big ham. I grew up the oldest in a big family and in that environment you had to shout to be heard. So since childhood I’ve been searching for ways to share my point of view.

My maternal grandmother taught me how to embroider when I was around eight-years-old and I loved making my own patterns and embroidering words onto anything and everything.

I was a theater kid and loved to make people laugh. I would see comics and comedic actors on television and think, “that’s what I want to do!” But I was also a nerd and was the type of kid that relished writing book reports and anxiously awaited receiving feedback from teachers. I have always known that I would pursue some sort of creative field..

Anna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Anna McKeown and I am a fiber artist, curator, and comedian living in Nashville, TN with my husband and two children. In my various artistic practices I explore my identity through artistic mediums traditionally associated with femininity and domestic craft.

I’m a storyteller at heart, so storytelling is always at the forefront of anything that I do. Whether it’s a visual art piece that I’m working on, a show I’m curating, or a performance I’m writing, I am always considering how the medium supports and enhances the theme.

I’m incredibly grateful to explore these passions as the Museum Manager at The Bankers Alley Hotel in downtown Nashville. In this role I curate art exhibitions for our galleries and create programming that supports those exhibitions.

In my personal creative practice my primary medium is fiber art, specifically embroidery and quilting. My writing and performance practice influences my fiber art which usually incorporates embroidered text. I love how flexible textiles are as a medium and it’s why I love writing as well! I can work on my projects most anytime and anywhere, which is helpful since I have a full time job and have two children. My stitches are slow, but the progress is steady. I’ve been working on the same quilt for nearly a year now and am almost finished with it! I love exploring how all of my creative practices intersect!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The best thing you can do for artists is to buy art, and if you can’t buy art share art! Write a short review of your favorite artist, tag their Instagram, and share it to your Instagram story. Connect with artists that support their exhibitions and publications by attending events and sharing when and where they are happening.

This goes for supporting comics and writers as well. Show up to the shows and share information about those shows on your social media. Tag the performer you’re going to see and tag the venue too!

And for all you artists out there — make digital posters for any events you are part of and include all of the information about the event on that flyer. Post it to your main feed and share it constantly and ask your friends and your friends’ friends to share it too. I think as artists we believe that being mysterious is cool but as a curator I am begging you to please be a little less mysterious!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

It is totally okay to pivot! I think that there’s a misconception that you have to decide your career as a young adult and work in that career forever. I’ve changed course quite a few times and it lead me to a full time job in a creative field that I’m passionate about.

When I went to college, being a curator wasn’t on my radar. I worked in arts administration after I graduated college and co-curated a gallery show. I loved putting that exhibition together and began to slowly build a resume of small curatorial projects. But all of that work was freelance or part-time, so I’ve always had other jobs too. I’ve been a teaching artist, a jewelry artist, a baker, and a stay-at-home parent. My personal creative practices have been even more varied! Painting, drawing, quilting, personal essay, and stand up comedy are all things that I enjoy. Don’t ever be afraid to try new things!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.anna-mckeown.com/
• Instagram: Anna_McKeown_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/profile/in/anna-mckeown-1b8b3b86

Image Credits
Headshot: Devin Snoddy of Lasno Photography Photo 1: Emily April Allen Photography Photo 2: Stay Home Gallery Photo 3: Artwork by Jodi Hays Photo 4: Lindsey Morgan of Suncat Studios Photo 5:Stay Home Gallery