We were lucky to catch up with Sara Schesser Bartra recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

No, thankfully I do not have those days. I am happier at this point of my life. Previously, I had a more traditional job. I was a scientist in an academic institution. I had a full carrier as a scientist for many years and I felt that it was the appropriate time to switch, to quit being a scientist, to take my art to the next level, until that point, I was doing Art but not full time. I wanted to try to make a difference for others as well rather that only for myself. I felt that I wanted to reach other groups of society and my community not only scientists. I felt that I wanted to raise awareness about science and science related topics and introduce people to a world that maybe they did not know much about. So, my job as an artist today feels very satisfying.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a visual artist based in South Florida Fort Lauderdale and Miami. I was born in Argentina but lived in many other places in the world mostly in Europe until I relocated to the United States in 2001.

I think the creative spirit has been always inside me, to be a scientist you have to be creative. During the pandemic I reassessed my priorities and decided to make the transition from scientist to artist after working for 20 years at the University of Miami miller School of Medicine in Miami as a researcher. I was doing art during that period as well but not full time.

I think I have a unique niche coming from a scientific background into the arts and I can combine both fields. There are some artists that combine science and art but maybe not so many of them had been working scientists their selves.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think the most rewarding aspect of being a creative or artist is when you can provoke emotions in your audience and through those emotions you can reach them and perhaps make them think about a topic that they may not have though in that way before. It is very rewarding to be able to do something for a cause what you believe in and if that touch someone soul, this mean that you are doing something right. I think art touches the deepest aspects of being human and allows us to express these deeper aspects when words fail us. If you can reach your audience and touch them, it is very rewarding.

Being an artist is also rewarding when you are free to express yourself.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think there are many things that a society can do to support artists. I believe that art is not only the production of aesthetic objects but also art is a language per sei, a tool to convey stories, a tool to convey a message on a public level and personal, that message can be political, social, cultural, historical, religious, or educational. As a society understanding the role of art in our lives as a powerful tool gives us a strong indication of its importance. And I think society should give it is importance supporting artists with economical means to be able to create. Perhaps providing accessible grants, buying and commissioning art from local artists. Creating community programs with artist in various disciplines are much needed. Society should increase visibility for local artists. Artists need to share resources, opportunities and validation. More visibility means more value in this case.

Artists need time to do their creative work, but they also have to earn money to live.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lvlyartbysara.org/
• Instagram: @schesserbartrasara @lvlyartdesigns
• Facebook: Sara Schesser Bartra
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-schesser-bartra-6511b119/
• Other: https://www.legaleriste.com/sara.4 Visit my portal at Le galeriste. New models/designs and patterns to choose from🥰

Image Credits
Fareed Al-Mashat