We were lucky to catch up with Marcela Martinez-McNett recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marcela , appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Starting Mas Art Co was a mutual idea of my son and I. He always showed an interest in the art world. When we relocated to Kansas, it was an opportunity for me to get him started showcasing his talents through local events. As he got a bit more active he was still a minor so we had issues getting him into venues and at that time there were not many opportunities for teenagers. So we picked up the trade and started Mother and Son Art Co aka Mas Art Co. We focus on all forms of art ,for example, Poetry, musical performances, and live art. We performed with the hub of local poets and performers and decided to step out of the clique and I made it a point to scout out beginning artists and people in the community that needed a platform. Mas Art Co has opened the horizons to showcase different genres. Our motto is to ensure a safe and accepting platform and make sure connections are being made. We have worked with many local artists and performed in different venues. Doing these shows I have met beginning videographers, musicians, photographers, podcast interviewers, rappers, writers, you name it we have met you at some point. I have the privilege of working with young gallery owners, actors, singers, producers, DJs, etc. It’s amazing to break down the conservative perspective of what people think art should be. I am proud of all the artists we have worked with and to watch them grow. Even MAS has gained prominent opportunities and has worked with local artists and celebrities. We are here for the craft and the culture. It is amazing.

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?

It is me “Momma Mas” I am a visual artist and a landscape photographer. My services include mural painting and commissions. I also have a sur company named MiJun(mee- June) apparel which are printed and or heat-pressed designs. I am the co-owner of Mother and Son Art Co. aka MasArtCo. An art company that involves events for performing and visual artists of all genres here in Wichita. Initially, our shows started with just poets and musical performers and it grew into visual artists looking for a nonjudgmental space to showcase their talents. I am most proud of the artists who have passed through our platform and are now performing locally on bigger stages and venues, including M A S. I want the community to know that we are here and we have the tools to encourage and empower artists who have been told their creations don’t have a place in the art world, we have a place for you and if we don’t we will find it together. I am not only an artist I serve as a mentor throughout the process as well. I think what sets us apart from everyone else, is we don’t clique up and we encourage diversity and difference. I often tell artists ” Art is in the eye of the open-minded.” Someone out there will appreciate the dedication and passion of the work.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Lead with empathy and stay away from gossip. Remain in different but at the same time show your morale. I have a huge heart and my only goal is to show people that they are cared about and most importantly that I am trustworthy. Sometimes people can influence you with the wrong intention and you find yourself no longer leading. We can’t like everyone and we can’t not like everyone in this specific field. I do my best to provide the best organized shows, and offer a good service to the community. The entire reason we do this is to do what we love. It is a lot of work putting a show together, but you have to be dedicated to the craft and show and prove to your people that you are not going to take any mess from folks but at the same time be there for them too.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I’ve learned that networking is the best way to find new talent. I attend small businesses, local showcases, and even DJ sets. Wichita is full of super-talented people. The best way to find new artists was at my shows. Artists that would attend had a friend or a relative or just new someone who could benefit from being part of our showcase were inspired and felt comfortable enough to introduce themselves and that led to an opening night for them. I have met so many awesome game changers and business owners putting on free showcases for the community. Networking is the best way to find new talent.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masartco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherandsonartco/

Image Credits

Photography is by Marcela Nicole-MasArtCo