We recently connected with Boo Sparks and have shared our conversation below.
Boo, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
My most meaningful project to date is a collaborative installation called Peeking Portals. This project came into fruition like most projects. Starting with conversation and inspiration. With out determination and discipline this project would have stayed as a dream and conversation. After traveling for 6 months in 2021 I decided to make this project concrete and began the steps. Beginning with concept, drawings, plans and funding. After 2 months, mainly working by my self, I completed the 11 foot tall Stonehenge. This is no ordinary Stonehenge. It houses 8 interchangeable miniverses/mini dioramas, created by 8 different artists. The themes that follow this project are inner beauty, universal diversity and manifestation. The experiencer peeks into each portal one at a time, intimately seeing each artists story they have told. This year I have traveled with this piece to 5 music festivals and it is currently on exhibit in San Diego. This is just the begging of Peeking Portals as I am currently in the works of creating a series of structures able to house 27 portals from 27 different artists. The collaborative element makes this project the most meaningful project I have done. Keep an eye out.
Boo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Since a young age I have been attracted to the music and art industry. The uncanny and open minded nature of event production was a big attraction to me. I was an attendee for many years until I started participating. As my interest began to grow so did my involvement. My skills and knowledge quickly elevated my role in event production. I earned Associate degrees for both Construction Technology and Studio Arts. I am now a multi facetted artist and builder with many avenues of profession. I work with 3 main companies as well as run my own carpentry business. I am a General Contractor, an Executive Build Lead, a creative director and build lead for a burning man camp. As a leader I must be humble, encouraging and inclusive. My strengths lie in the creation of visions and dreams. I’m often finding solutions to my clients projects, ideas and dreams by working with an artistic and creative drive. My pride lies in my network of artists and community. As I climb the ladder of professionalism I must constantly use my experience to think with a new and pioneering mindset. I am a teacher and a student always.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
The artist community is one of the hardest industries to be financially successful in. In a world driven by money I have found it difficult to sustain a consistent flow of income. You must build the experience and recognition to become a trusted artist that people are willing to support. Society can help support us artists by shopping small business, being open minded to up and coming artists and simply encouraging creatives in their endeavors.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is witnessing the ripple effect that my art has on those around me. To see a child interact with my art will always bring out my inner child. This is what keeps me coming back for more. Art is meant to instill feelings. It is these feelings that make us human and can be related to. Relation brings us all closer together.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boosparkscreation/
Image Credits
all photos taken by Boo Sparks