We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hollie Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hollie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Exhibiting internationally and establishing networks of artists for exhibition are the most meaningful projects to me. For example in December of 2020 I did a virtual international residency that ended with an exhibit in France. I created pieces of historical leaders including The Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic and Malcolm X. I also exhibited in New York City and had a solo show very close to Times Square. I worked with a gallery in Portland and exhibited in several shows there. Throughout these experiences I networked with artists to consistently get booked every month for shows. The last three years I have been booked with press, commissions, or shows and in 2022 I was booked twice a month. After the virtual international residency i participated in 2020 I was inspired to create my own. I don’t see a lot of black women in arts administration and its key to have diversity in this field because today over 70% of shows are curated by white men and the history of art often excludes women and people of color. Therefore I founded the connect residency a virtual networking, marketing, and exhibition program that is open to all. The program runs 3-4 weeks and meets on Sundays 12-2PM central/standard. The first hour I teach skills artists need to know like how to write an artist statement and how to write an exhibit proposal. Months in advance I scout industry professionals to speak the second hour to inspire and connect the artists to people who can book them in shows and give insight on how to continue professionally in the arts. Previous speakers include emmy winning filmmakers, curators from NYC, international muralists, gallerists, magazine editors, creative consultants, and professors. the next connect residency show is November 4th 6-10PM at Hairpin Arts Center in Chicago 2810 N. Milwaukee ave in Chicago.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been interested in art since I was a baby. I was a six year old who knew famous artists such as Norman Rockwell and Monet. I took an art history class at The Art Institute of Chicago when I was 13 and realized how art was central to understanding my broader cultural and historical context. I worked for Gallery 37 and the art institute in high school creating art and working in the museum education department. In college I was teacher’s assistant for the photography professor. I spoke at National conferences in Washington D.C. for the Feminist Majority Foundation throughout college on the connection between art and social justice. By my senior year I was commissioned by Planned Parenthood to create socially conscious art for their Youth Summits they hosted throughout the country. Throughout college I studied the history of art including modern artists such as Jordan Casteel, Kehinde Wiley, Kerry James Marshall, and Gerald Griffin. I was so passionate about arts accessibility I was hired as a research fellow by my university and created a study on the importance of arts programming for young people. I compared city wide programs from multiple cities and interviewed administrators of those programs to prove the benefits of the arts for professional and social development. Currently I have several series that I am known for. “The Bus Stop Series” was born out of 2020 when we were unable to gather in public. These drawings featured people at bus stops around the world. This was to show the diversity of community that occurs when people have access to public resources. My portraits are people who achieve despite adversity. I recently started the “corner store series” which feature people leaving or next to small shops to discuss how as an adult it feels like you can’t exist everyday without buying something and how we live in a society where everything is for sale/
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Relationships. I love meeting people who are driven by meaningful relationships. I love meeting people who want to make the world better. I love meeting people who are passionate about giving back. I love discussing art and its importance to the stability of our societies. I love learning the histories of individual cultures and how their arts individualize those cultures. I love making memories through art shows because I can go back 15 years and give examples of relationaships I still have because of my passion for the arts.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
PAY US. I think because most artists would create no matter what we are often exploited. So the biggest thing you can do is buy local art and see it as an investment. Many other cultures particularly in France and England have such a reverence and respect for their artist I want to see that culture develop here particularly in black and brown communities. Artists tend to be highly valuable because we network with all classes and people from all walks of life. We are cultural diplomats and have relationships with almost every member of society you can think of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.holliedavisart.com/
- Instagram: @holliedavisart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollie-davis-59b06198/
- Other: tiktok @holliedavisart