Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joyce Leggett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Joyce, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?
Alma Thomas is the historical figure I would like to discuss. She was an African American artist and art educator and I see myself following her foot steps as I have a background in teaching. Alma retired after 35 years of teaching art and continued creating which her signature paint style was developed at age 70. Her artwork is exhibited in major museums and art teachers across the United States teach art lessons based on her work. Her story and work is evidence that it is never too late to follow your passion. She is one of the few renowned artists to be educated at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Her artwork covers different mediums and subjects, including nature, abstract, and expressionism. She is the first African American artists to be included in the permanent art collection of the White House.. She had an entrepreneurial spirit and remains an inspiration for women artists like me,
Joyce, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am an African American self-taught and independent artist originally from Monroeville, Alabama. I currently reside in Pensacola, Florida. The area around Monroeville has provided the world with different art and artists, including Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mocking Bird”. The small town provides the backdrop to the setting of the movie “Just Mercy,” both of which examine societal issues in the Southern part of the United States. Pensacola is part of the Deep South and is close to Mississippi (Home of The Blues) and New Orleans (Birthplace of Jazz). My early paintings capture the musical instruments used by Blues and Jazz musicians. I am also part of a singing group that has performed in several cities, including Mobile (Alabama) and Dallas, Texas. I am an avid hiker and nature lover and I envision my future art evolving to include nature. I am also a keen traveler and aspire to see my work capture other parts of the world beyond the Deep South.
As mentioned, I grew up in Monroeville and my art is inspired by the life and culture that nurtured me. It is an art that speaks to the human condition and the importance of justice. At the moment, I focus primarily on musical instruments, because music speaks to the soul and inspires us to do better in everything we do as human beings. Music helps us become one, to hear each other not just through words but through our emotions.
For me, art is about creating what moves us towards universal goodness, towards what is correct and right. Those are the values my grandmother taught me. Those are the values one encounters in reading “To Kill a Mocking Bird” or in watching the movie “Just Mercy.” But art is also a way for me to speak about what I see and experience.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
As a child, I did not have the opportunity to take art classes as it was not offered in the Monroe County schools. I obtained degree in Business Administration and worked in student finance and real estate for many years. Eventually, I was presented with an opportunity to teach art at a public elementary school. After having a conversation with another local artist who saw my work, I decided to submit an application for the Emerging Artist grant for the Great Gulf Coast Art Festival in Pensacola, FL. I was selected and my first art show was successful. This gave me confidence to become a full-time professional artist. In addition, I recently had the opportunity to observe student artwork inspired by my artwork displayed during the student’s exhibition at the Pensacola Museum of Art,
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I focus on artwork that speaks to the needs of my immediate known audience. Many people know me from singing with local groups and choirs. My current series focuses on musical instruments which are used in genres of music. I caught the attention of my fellow teachers when I displayed the students artwork and my demonstrations.. Participating in shows like the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival opened more opportunities for networking and exposure outside my immediate location.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joyceleggettart.com/
- Instagram: joyceleggettart
- Facebook: joyceleggettart
- Other: https://www.ggaf.org/page/emerging-artist
