Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Frank Campagna. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Frank, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I always knew I wanted to be an artist of some form but was unsure of what area I would work in. The norm 9 to 5 or commission gig just seemed out of step with my upbringing. My mother was an actress who played on Broadway starting at age 6 and my aunt and uncle were professional dancers who headlined Radio City Music Hall so it just seemed natural that I too would throw my hat into the ring of creativity but a proper medium was needed. As a young man it always seemed destined to be a toss up between visual art or becoming a musician.
When I was in high school delving into both areas as best as I could, some close friends a few years older had just won a major call for artists / battle of the bands in Philadelphia. This in turn got them the attention of Swan Song Records the new record label founded by Led Zeppelin. They went up to NYC to begin working on a demo at the world famous Electric Lady Land studios. The night before they were scheduled to begin recording, they went out and partied hard, causing their singer to show up late the next day. In turn this action canceled all members of the band this potential life changing opportunity. It was this revelation that I knew that visual art was the way to go and if anyone was ever going to screw up my chance of success it was going to be me and me alone.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I got into my industry by not wanting to have a ‘job’ per se. I went to college to study art / painting in the mid-seventies and soon got into trouble for selling my homework assignment as opposed to handing it in. It was a light-bulb moment that got me to thinking about paying to learn to paint vs just throwing myself into a fly or die situation.
Occasionally for the first few years or so I would have to get a traditional 9 to 5 from time to time but always made sure it had something to do with art. I worked as a t-shirt printer which led to working as a t-shirt designer to doing time in an art supply store and learning about all the supplies and making creative contacts across the D-FW metroplex. Eventually just prior to 1980 I ended up painting interior artwork for nightclubs and knocking out flyers booking agents eventually learning the ‘art’ of concert promotions.
As crazy as it may sound I ended up hosting many concerts in my Deep Ellum area art studio from 82 to 86 and had nearly every hardcore D.I.Y. punk band play at one time or another. This started with fellow Texans the Butthole Surfers showing up every weekend and wanting to play / practice in front of an audience. Soon thereafter the Dead Kennedy’s, Husker Du, the Misfits, Black Flag, the Meat Puppets etc all came to into play and it was it was both educational and incredible.
When fatherhood came along to rescue me from this insanity in the 86, other much more professional promoters, started hiring me to paint backdrops for backstage areas and /or parties for bands like the Rolling Stones, Guns & Roses, U-2, the Eagles, SXSW, BMI etc. These ‘glamour gigs’ along with many interior / exterior murals helped make ends meet. In 1998 I started painting a series of 8 x 12 foot murals featuring upcoming concerts on the side of the Gypsy Tea Room a legendary nightclub here in Dallas over a mural I had painted much earlier but was not happy with. By the end of this concert hall I ended up painting close to one thousand murals.
In a sense you can see that I ended up doing artwork for the music industry and gaining quite a decent reputation for creating street art as well. I had learned to create on demand, meet deadlines and roll with the ups and downs of being self employed, but finding an agent or someone to sell my more personal works for me was still an elusive aspect I needed to really ‘get where I wanted to be’. This opportunity had presented itself several times over temporarily by sitting in on boards and committees and figuring out logistics and politics. Once again this is a poor mans education that really pays off in experience, results and is 100% worth every penny!
Then in 2005, a former landlord asked how to revitalize the now rundown and unpopular Deep Ellum neighborhood. To me it was simply, let’s go back to the roots that made things happen in the first place and let’s do it again properly this time. He agreed to give me a space to play with at his cost and that is how Kettle Art gallery was born. With a six month lease and a diverse group of seven artists, we went forward to see if we could pull this concept off. The white walls, good lighting and group shows to pack the house were easy to do but not quite sufficient enough to last. Turning a profit to afford more time to learn this new lesson was needed, but somehow I squeaked by with a few murals and a lot of luck. Much like everything successful, timing is everything, so just as my body has become exhausted from climbing up and down ladders regularly, my latest employment requirement evolved into curating /hanging exhibits along with standing around, having drinks and talking to people.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
The biggest lesson I realized from owning an art gallery and being an artist in general is the importance of supporting local talent and being proud of your hometown. I’ve always felt anybody can pack it up and move away to seek their fame and fortune elsewhere but there’s almost always a catch and the degree of failure is tenfold. Sure NY and LA are best known for the place to go and be seen but your chances of success are much more difficult. Also moving really does nothing for your friends, neighbors or local culture. If you and your cronies stick around and create / develop your scene, that’s what’s up. What your area can produce may become something truly unique or interesting to others. If you really feel the need to get away, nowadays with the internet, social media and the ability to collaborate with those you may have never even met face to face the sky is the limit.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Long ago I had a quest of sorts thinking it’s best to lead by example. Then again, enlightening people sounds so cocky and self important that this idealism is easily misconstrued as being ego driven, so screw it. The big picture is younger folks need a break to get to know themselves and the world as we know it has slowly removed and taken away almost all cultural focus. Even the most popular, first string quarterback at any given high school or any other leader in a team mentality environment should have to face themselves, one on one with a canvas, a blank sheet of paper or lone instrument. I can’t say I know the reason behind why these aspects have been neglected or allowed to fade away but am very aware the arts lead to free thinking and self awareness. It seems these types usually don’t like to follow orders or contribute to a well behaved society but they can also grow into the rebels that innovate and encourage progressive ideas that keep things moving in a positive way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.franksart.net or www.kettleart.com
- Instagram: @kettleart
- Youtube: netinsanity
Image Credits
1-Paula Harris 2- Guy Reynolds 3_ Frank Campagna 4- Guy Reynolds 5- Alexandra Oliva 6- Danny Hurley 7- Paula Harris