We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennifer Gillooly Cahoon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jennifer, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I believe that the act of creating should be accessible and available to all and that I am an ambassador of sorts – an individual who brings art experiences to people who didn’t realize they were capable of tapping into that part of themselves.
As a former public school teacher, board member and chair of a local arts council and artist, I recognized that there was no centralized place to engage in the act of creating art in our city.
I also knew through years of experience in the classroom working with teens, that anyone could learn to make art and by default reap the mental health benefits that making work can provide.
HeARTspot Art Center and Gallery was born from the idea that I could create a space for the general public -for artists and non-artists, children and adults, differently abled and typically abled- to come together in a warm, welcoming, inclusive environment where they could tap into their own potential and take away the knowledge that they don’t need any specialized background, schooling, or natural ability to experience the benefits and overall feelings of well-being that the process of making artwork can provide.
I’m also fortunate enough to have a gallery space as part of my art center, and there I operate under the same guiding principles as I do in my classroom. I strive to reach those who didn’t feel the gallery experience was for them – to show them one doesn’t need to have an education in the arts to truly enjoy the experience of taking in amazing works of art.
As I do not rely wholly on the gallery as my main stream of income I have the luxury of doing shows that matter to me, not just those that one might see in a mainstream standalone gallery space. I highlight experienced and emerging artists, take on social issues, and provide space for many artists who don’t fit into the “norm” in many other galleries.
In short, my art center is a place for all to enjoy without the trappings of elitism I’ve seen in other spaces.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I never would have imagined that I would someday own my own business or own a gallery.
My journey here was guided by me trusting my instincts and following “divine breadcrumbs” if you will.
I taught myself how to paint after spending 11 years teaching in a Special Education classroom and found myself with the opportunity to take on an art position. I hadn’t made any art work during that time, and as my college degree focused on sculpture (I couldn’t do welding or stone carving in my basement), I had to teach myself a skill that would get me back into being a maker so I’d be a better practitioner in the classroom.
Not only did it make me better at my job – it provided me with an overall sense of wellbeing I hadn’t known in a long time. It also began to take on a life of its own very quickly! What started as a practice to serve me professionally as an educator turned into gallery shows, commissions, and more. In just a few short years, it felt as if I had two full-time jobs on top of having a young family. On top of that, I was promoted to Department Chair and was having far less opportunity to engage with students. It was my husband who suggested that I resign from teaching to pursue art as a career.
I’d never known anything other than being a teacher, so making the leap of faith was scary.
Ultimately? It was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Choosing to pick up a paintbrush just over 10 years ago provided benefits I expected, but also opened the doors to opportunities I never dreamed of; opening my business was only one of them. Painting has afforded me the opportunity to speak at Harvard Medical School and have my art displayed in Times Square on a Jumbotron to help the rare disease community. It’s led me to being selected to paint a life size cow for a Dana-Farber Cow Parade to benefit cancer research. It lead me to chair an arts council and initiate a public art campaign and direct an arts festival. It’s been an unexpectedly beautiful and wild ride.
As I consider all that’s happened, I’ve realized that I’m using my art practice to enrich lives, help people heal, and bring attention to those who need it. It’s an incredibly beautiful blessing.
In my day to day practice, I get to design and teach classes to children and adults covering a variety of areas. I also am able to support the local artist teaching community by providing a space for them to instruct. I work with local day programs with differently abled adults to provide an enriching, meaningful experience. I coach artists looking to figure out how to become self-sustaining entrepreneurs themselves, and also work privately with one-on-one clients to help them hone their craft. I’ve taken dozens of commissions over the years, and may have the opportunity to engage in painting murals again. I curate wonderful art exhibitions which support my artists, broaden their network, and connect with buyers who bring artwork into their personal space for years of enjoyment.
Through my teaching, coaching, and gallerist work, I’ve been able to give people the gift of confidence in their abilities and have helped provide the way for them to blaze their own path. My students, teachers, clients and artists are not just numbers to me – they are individuals I build true relationships with. I’d like to think it’s as enriching for them as it is for me to be able to work together.
Since opening in 2017, HeARTspot has won 5 “Best Gallery in Rhode Island” People’s Choice Awards through the Providence Journal Bulletin, and 4 “Best Gallery in the East Bay” People’s Choice awards in Rhode Island Monthly Best of Rhode Island competitions. I really and truly believe these honors are a result of the way people feel when they come to my space.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Pivoting from the classroom to entrepreneurship was not a piece of cake.
All three of my degrees are in education (BA in Sculpture, BS in Art Education, and an MEd in Special Education) and I spent nearly 20 years as a teacher and ultimately department chair. I never once took a business course.
My saving grace was the RISBDC (Rhode Island Small Business Development Center). All states have a SBDC, and their services are free of charge.
Through them, I developed a business plan, studied the economic forecast for a business such as my own, developed financial literacy that allowed me to apply for a microloan to purchase needed items for my space, and learned how to develop a website.
I couldn’t recommend them higher. They will provide services to businesses at any stage to help address needs and teach skills one might be lacking – and did I mention it’s free? Look up your local office if you need assistance!
Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?
My business exists solely due to multiple revenue streams.
Up until I was getting out of college, if you wanted to “make it” in the art world, you needed a gallery.
Today?
That’s no longer the case.
A gallery is an amazing tool for artists to use to reach new audiences and clients. Commissions should be looked at as advertising expenses and can be written off. For those who are more introverted or do not feel comfortable promoting their own work, a gallery is still very valuable.
Even though I have my own gallery, I STILL show my work in others. Why? It expands my network and builds my brand. It’s smart business.
If I were just a gallery though? I wouldn’t have made it for a year – never mind through the pandemic.
HeARTspot is a gallery, yes. But it also is an education center, and contains a small gift store of locally made products.
I also take commissions, coach, apply for grants, bring in outside artists to teach, and occasionally teach outside of my space. In the past, I’ve also created prints and products featuring my art to build on my revenue. For a long time I used Etsy, but have stopped that and am in the process of building an online store to sell products.
It’s a lot of hustle, but it’s all under one beautiful umbrella. It’s worked for me.
Contact Info:
- Other: https://linktr.ee/jgcahoon