We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Denise Minnerly a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Denise, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?

While I was having my children and being an artist I took a full time job teaching in a private school. I was terrified and felt like I was not going to be able to handle all the minutia that went with job. I love to teach and had begun an afterschool art program which ran for six years in my town . However I was in charge running my own program and with this new role I had many more people to please. As I began my journey in the classroom my boss was nothing but forgiving and understanding. He soon grew to know my misgivings and strengths. When I had an obstacle he offered support . The paper work was obsolete which is rare in a school system. My boss was able to see that I had my students best interests in mind and new that my curriculum was in my head. That I had insight to what was important for my students to learn and create pulled a lot of weight in his mind. After a long day teaching and while the school prepared for department meetings (which would last hours) my boss would cancel the meeting. He said communicating over email was much more efficient.. Our art department was extraordinary due to his willingness to understand that creatives need time and space in order to do a great job. I will always be heavily indebted to his incredible insight.

Denise, 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?

Having started my creative journey at a very young age I feel that I did not choose it …..it chose me. We are all given specific strengths in life. In order to be internally happy we all need to honor this calling. I began an after school art program in my hometown. I ran “Art Escape” for six years. Durning this time I had three other teachers working with me so I could pursue my own creative pursuits. I was able to have three children’s books published and a few art shows in the immediate area. My desire to have children create was important for me. The books that I created all had to do with the creative act. During this time an installation I created “The Village Project” began. This project was an interactive installation comprised of many small clay homes made by different groups of people. I went to hospitals, schools, shelters, fairs etc. and had people make a small clay home. After collecting over 3,000 I began collaborating with another artist who added vines to the project. This addition added a connectivity to the project. This installation has traveled to Universities, museums and galleries. The “Village Project” gave people a chance to participate in an art project. A chance to have a small part of their identity be seen by the public.

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

In my journey as an artist I have always gravitated towards communities that clearly have an appreciation for the arts. These communities almost always have an arts center where artists can take classes, join as a member. show their work. Arts centers also allow for the community to come in and take part in the conversation of art. They also allow for artists to teach which can supplement their creating. Building on this concept it would be great to have residencies in buildings in the town. This would allow not only for an artists presence but workshops and artists talks that would can easily accessed by the community. The more we can invite artists into the community the more the community can thrive while also giving artists more visibility.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is the tremendous amount of contentment I have when I am alone and in the zone. This does not necessarily mean when I am in the studio. I am thinking constantly about what I am doing while doing other things. The percentage of doing in an artists studio is a small part of the process. Figuring out my direction almost always takes place while doing more mundane things. This constant creative urge I never take for granted. I feel lucky to have been given this gift and will forever be grateful no matter where my art takes me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://deniseminnerly.com
• Instagram: @dminnerly

Image Credits

Denise Bennett Minnerly