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

Alright, Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

The name “Interstitial” was born from the realization that sometimes the most powerful and influential moments happen not during the main event, but in the connecting moments in-between. It can be a passing conversation that changes the course of your life, or it can also be as simple as a smell that triggers a memory and allows you to absorb a work of art in a new way. The English definition of interstitial is occurring in or being an interval or intervening space or segment. In the body, the “interstitium” connects tissue and organs helping to transport nutrients throughout the body. Its so important that some consider it to be its own organ.

When I thought about the purpose of the company I wanted to build, it was always about connecting people to art through those interstitial moments. Right now, that means activating Atlanta’s art spaces through unique wellness programming. In the future, that means connecting individuals directly to artists, and promoting the acquisition of original art as a means of wellness and self-care. I want create new art collectors by erasing the invisible barrier that keeps so many from introducing original art into their lives.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

After a career working for corporations like Gap, Inc. and Carters Inc in product development and marketing, I took the plunge into entrepreneurship in 2022 when I co-founded Grant & Little, an art gallery and interior design studio. Unfortunately, we were had to leave our space in early 2024 due to some factors outside of our control, which meant no more art gallery and no more cultural and community centered events. In spring of 2024 I left the Grant & Little partnership and created Interstitial, a company dedicated to activating art spaces with non-traditional programming, and spotlighting art as a form of wellness. Our first few months have been magical, and this fall we are collaborating with Jess Pfeffer Holistic Event Planning on a 5 month wellness residency at A Permanent Address gallery on the Atlanta Beltline. There we are curating unique wellness experiences centered around yoga, meditation, and sound therapy. In September we kick off a series entitled Who I Am: Art for Wellness which is a series of art classes that embrace the tactile and emotional experience of making art as meditation. Classes will feature cyanotype, mixed media mark making, ceramics, and beading, each led by experts in their medium. Interstitial is also curating an art program for The Lola (an inclusive community of professional women) and co-curating an exhibit at A Permanent Address this fall.

In addition to Interstitial, this year I started Busy Girl Collective, a strategic marketing consultancy built with the goal of overcoming traditional creative and marketing silos and guiding companies through refining their tactical strategies to meet brand goals. Similar to my work at Interstitial, I’m serving as a creative conduit making connections between teams and fueling the evolution of ideas into measurable results. So many companies have amazing product and beautiful marketing assets but are struggling to turn them into their desired results. That’s where I come in!

The journey into entrepreneurship has been a wild one but in year 3 I am hitting my stride, collaborating with inspiring partners, and filling my creative cup. There have been so many failures (and there will be many more!), but each one has led me in the right direction and I welcome all the hits and misses to come.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Coming from a very corporate background I’ve had to learn to lean in and trust my own judgement. Though I may have led a global marketing team, there were always layers of corporate checks and balances. I could always defer to an established corporate goal or lean on an executive as a thought partner. Within that corporate structure “safety net”, my own sense of confidence was not a priority.

What I know now is that I have unique abilities to connect the dots and while I’m not always the one with the best idea, I can identify a gem and know how to get it from point A to point B. I can work in the grey and figure things out for my self. Its ok to learn as you go sometimes and while “safety nets” are comforting, They don’t make you stronger.

Any advice for managing a team?

Never put yourself on a pedestal and always be yourself. I’ve worked with artists who think they have to look and act the part, who become completely different people because that is who they think they need to be to get ahead. I’ve had leaders who did this as well and have always vowed to never be that person.

Have fun whenever you can and celebrate the the wins as much as possible. Genuinely appreciate the people around you and acknowledge what everyone contributes (even those not on your team). Be kind and encouraging. Be straightforward with feedback and always offer support.

Surprise coffees and treats are helpful too!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.interstitial.com www.jesslange.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/interstitial_atl/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicasnipes/