We were lucky to catch up with Carol Torian recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carol , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

One of the biggest risks I have ever taken was starting Drinking Gourd Gallery at the age of 50. It was a crazy idea. I didn’t have any connections in the art world, and I didn’t have a retail space. But my love of art started in childhood. I was surrounded by creative women. My maternal grandmother used to make ceramics, and my paternal grandmother was a quilter. My Mom is also an artist, so I would watch her as she sketched. I didn’t have her skill, but I would spend hours drawing, painting, and coloring on my own. And even though my family didn’t have much money, we’d always have a copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper hanging on the wall. My family never visited any art galleries, though. Honestly, I don’t think we knew where any galleries were located, and even if we had, they would have still been out of reach. All of these things were in the back of my mind, when I was envisioning Drinking Gourd. So, I decided to create a virtual space with occasional pop-up events, instead of a traditional brick-and-mortar location. My hope was that the space would feel welcoming and accessible, and that regardless of means, a person could find something beautiful. It’s now been five years since the gallery first opened, and I am so thankful to the artists and clients who have joined me on this journey. The learning curve has been very steep at times, but owning the gallery has taught me to step outside of my comfort zone and to embrace possibility. And it turns out that, sometimes, even the craziest things end up making sense.

Carol , 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?

Before starting Drinking Gourd Gallery, I had been thinking about the next chapter in my professional career. At the time, I had spent years working for regional and international companies, and I had also been writing fiction and stage plays whenever I had the opportunity. I wondered if I should return to university for a degree in Architecture to fulfill the dream I had since I was a girl. Or, if I should become an interior designer. A chance conversation with a friend about an art class prompted me to start painting again. Not long after that, I decided to follow my passion for art and open a virtual gallery based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The name Drinking Gourd is derived from the “Follow the Drinking Gourd” folk song, which lyrically underscores the quest and thirst for freedom that existed amongst the enslaved. As an African-American woman, I wanted the gallery name to honor my foremothers and forefathers. I also knew that I wanted to work with a diverse group of artists, regardless of whether they were academically trained or self-taught. Most of my artists have not followed a traditional career trajectory, either by choice or out of necessity. But they have remained dedicated to their art practice, and the richness of their work is a testament to the power of consistency, perseverance, and determination. Each work has a story, and when you visit the Drinking Gourd web site you will find a variety of contemporary paintings and works on paper, as well as other unique gift items. Whether you’re looking for your first piece of art, or hoping to build on the collection you already have, we want to connect you with work that you will love.

In addition to selling artwork, the gallery also hosts exhibitions. I’m particularly proud of two of our past exhibitions – HER was a group exhibition that placed women and girls at the forefront, as subject matter and as artists, and Darryl Matthews: Black Diamond, was a solo exhibition focused on Negro Leagues baseball players. Our exhibitions open virtually, then we later partner with venues that have available wall space to present the exhibitions live. Here in North Carolina, we have had exhibitions at Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, and at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

When I was just starting out, I contacted SCORE, and I was paired with a wonderful mentor who provided excellent advice and support. SCORE, which is a resource partner with the SBA, is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors dedicated to helping small businesses. When it comes to books that have impacted my entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy, I gravitate toward books about or by people who inspire me, whether or not they are business owners. I loved the wisdom of Cicely Tyson’s “Just as I Am,” In Kwame Onwuachi’s “Notes from a Young Black Chef,” I liked how he spoke to the transformative power of failure. Right now, I’m reading Nelson Mandela’s “Conversations with Myself.” Mandela was someone who faced enormous, unimaginable challenges, but he never gave up.

Any advice for managing a team?

It’s important to acknowledge that some people are masquerading as leaders and even the most skilled teams will fall apart under their watch. But if you’re fortunate enough to have competent leaders in your organization, they will recognize that everyone has value, regardless of title. And these leaders will do their best to create an environment where people can thrive and contribute, and your business will be unstoppable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dggallerync.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dggallerync/

Image Credits
Image 1: IS IT HOT IN HERE? OR, IS IT JUST ME? by Carol Torian
Image 2: Never Stop Looking Up by Carol Torian
Image 3: For Shackled Women and Girls Searching for Rainbows and Dreaming of Freedom by Carol Torian Image
Image 4: If These Walls Could Talk by Carol Torian