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

Joanna, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I first knew I wanted to be an artist when I was in 1st grade. We were given a prompt to draw a picture and write a few sentences about what we wanted to be when we grow up and why . And my answer was “I want to be an artist when I grow up. Because they make pretty things and weird things” Now back then I didn’t really know that I’d actually end up pursuing art as apart of my career but it really came full circle when my mom surprised me after finding this old picture. So, when I look back at all the classes I’d taken in grade school all the way to me majoring in Fine Art, I feel that all my choices have intentionally led me down this path.

Joanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I first got into art when I was very very young. I always had an interest in art and it helped that everyone in my family is creative in their own right. For me, I chose painting and drawing as my outlet, and later on pottery. I really started viewing art as a career option when I started my 2nd year in college. With all the assignments geared towards developing my artistic voice and style it really helped me with envisioning what an art career could look like for me. So once I graduated, I decided to go on the journey of turning my practice into something legitimate. While at the same time finding a “corporate” position that I’d be able to use my degree and still have time for my own personal practice.

Fast forward to 2023, I am now the Artist Development Specialist for the Catawba Indian Nation, a practicing studio artist, and a ceramics teacher for a studio in Charlotte, NC.

When I’m not working my 9-5, I am either painting or making pottery. In both of my chosen mediums I approach my work with a lot of intentionality. This is because I want my audience to really appreciate the materials that I use as well as hear my voice and see my hands in my work.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Being an artist is not for the weak. We really have to hustle and put on multiple hats to have a successful career. So it’s really important to support new emerging artists as well as the established ones. Because not only are you supporting us you’re supporting an industry that produces millions of dollars for the economy, jobs, and the enrichment of your own communities.

The easiest thing you can do is buy art directly from the artists themselves. Art thrives when artists thrive. And what’s even better you can support your local artists and art organizations in your own communities.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Like many artists I have a bunch of goals that I want to achieve in my career. Probably the most prominent one is to have my first solo show featuring both my paintings and pottery. And to have my work from the show sell.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jhenrystudio.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jhenrystudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-henry/