We recently connected with Jamie Truett and have shared our conversation below.

Jamie, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I’ve been an “artist” as long as I can remember. I got my start as an artist drawing pictures and selling them for a nickel. Holding a bachelor’s degree concentrated in Graphic Design from La Roche University, I’ve worked in the graphic design and marketing field for 25+ years. Pottery, fused glass, crochet, I jump from art form to art form wanting to learn it all. Pottery was reintroduced to me after my father’s untimely accident and became therapy for me. I began making more than I could use and give away and when I felt confident enough, I began selling through etsy and at a local nonprofit gallery. The extra money I got from those sales just went right back into supplies. Again, it was therapy.

When COVID struck in 2020, I saw so many of my peers and art colleagues struggling. Many count on the art and craft shows for income. They don’t have a web presence or the knowledge to truly market themselves. I was fortunate enough that selling pottery was my hobby and I had other income. It was heart wrenching seeing my friends suffer.

At this time I was also seeing friends and family suffer from anxiety and the like with this new world we were living in. I would often suggest different art to help them center themselves. Try journaling with pictures. Try collages. Get an adult coloring book. Get some air dry clay. Come to my house and we’ll work with my clay. Boom. Then it hit me. Art can not only help me. It can be therapeutic to others as well. I liked seeing my friends leave with a lighter head and heart.

I kept going back and forth with my husband, who is also an artist. We kept saying that we wished we had a space similar to the one that I sold my pottery in, but not set up as a nonprofit. How could we help both artists and get people exposed to more creativity? I started drafting a plan, a pipe dream. If we didn’t buy inventory and took art on consignment, maybe we could swing it. Some start up costs but…..it was in our hearts.

With that, in October of 2021 Creative Spark Arts opened. A unique space to feature both seasoned and up and coming artists as well as a community driven workshop space.

It was a risk. It still is. We are less than 9 months in this venture. I have an artist mind, not a business mind. There is a lot of give and take. A lot of mentoring from others. A lot of laughs. A lot of love. And, a lot of hope.

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

Jamie got her start as an artist drawing pictures and selling them for a nickel. She’s come a long way since then! With a bachelor’s degree concentrated in Graphic Design from La Roche University, this local artist has worked in the graphic design and marketing field for 25+ years. Pottery, fused glass, crochet, she’s skilled at many art forms. She plans on teaching many classes throughout the year, concentrating in clay and glass.

The Mission is two-fold

For the gallery, Jamie wants to provide an outlet and a market for Pennsylvania’s emerging AND seasoned artists of every medium, age and educational level.

Through classes and workshops held at this location, the goal is to encourage artists-to-be in the community to explore different areas of art to enrich their creativity. Think you’re not an artist, take a class and find out otherwise!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Therapy. Art has helped me overcome some serious heaviness in my life. The more research that is done, the more it is becoming apparent that it can help various things like PTSD, autism and the like.

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

Hearing from someone…I’ll never be able to do that.

Then watching their face absolutely LIGHT UP when they finish whatever art they are doing and are so very proud of it.

Two moments really hit me hard with my workshops.

1. A 92 year old man made a pottery mug with me. He was amazing and just lit up the entire room.

2. I worked with a brain trauma group with clay. There was one guy in particular who was very closed off and not wanting to participate. After some talking…he opened up and created something beautiful. He kept thanking me. My heart was light.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.creativesparkarts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativesparkarts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativesparkarts717