Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Soheyla Rashidyan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Soheyla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My most meaningful project is the creation of a museum that celebrates visual art. Hearing the word “museum” generally brings the feeling of old things being preserved – clean and sterile hallways containing objects and images from the past…possibly objects of excellence but ones which are no longer vibrant and alive.

Let’s think of the word “museum” differently…

Imagine a museum as a muse’s home. Think of it as a greenhouse of the soul, where people come to connect with inspiration.

Imagine a place where human creativity is able to objectify and present the thoughts, ideas and feelings of people as well as real phenomena and imaginations in a beautiful way. Art is both created and displayed to influence emotions and human intelligence and to convey meanings or concepts.

One of the effective factors in the emergence of creativity in a society is the grounding of humans to create a culture which allows everyone to help each other grow, which contributes to the ongoing creative development of society.

Our muse’s home welcomes everyone, not only artists and professionals – a place where anyone can find themselves and be inspired.

Creativity is the most important basic human ability. All sciences, products, technologies, industries, innovations, inventions, arts, literature, music, architecture, and ,in general, all human achievements, are manifestations of creativity. Human civilization and life are not possible without creativity.

Look forward to seeing the light of creativity in our museum turn on.

Soheyla, 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 was born in Iran and graduated from the Fine Arts High School in Isfahan. I received my BFA in Graphic Design from the Art and Architecture University in Tehran and completed independent studies in Sculpting and Painting at Vrije Academie in De Hague, Netherlands.

I immigrated to the USA. I served as President of Plano Art Association and Artistic Director of their gallery in downtown Plano. I am founder of the Museum of Contemporary Visual Art and its Executive Director.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

By the time I was a teenager, I was certain that my life should be focused on creativity, but I had had not opportunities to act on this. The educational and professional opportunities in my home in Abadan focused only on the oil fields and technology. However, during the Iran-Iraq War, our family was evacuated to Isfahan, in central Iran.

I was walking near our new family home, when I discovered an elegant building surrounded by a classic wrought iron fence. I was so fascinated that it drew me inside. I was surprised to find out that this was a high school that specialized in the fine arts. I asked what I needed to do to study art here.

The administrators wanted to see my school records. My records were in Abadan, surrounded by the Iraqi army.
They decided not to worry about the records, but this was the last day for registration. There were tests to get in, and I had to take them immediately. So, I did.

First, they tested my drawing skill, which was pronounced excellent. Then, there was a written test with both academic questions and questions regarding Iranian politics and religion. I passed this test too and was allowed to enroll.

I kept this change in my high school from my parents for several weeks until I was certain of my success. We went together to the school and met with the administrators. It came out that I was 18 and already in my third year of high school.

By this time, it was apparent to the art instructors and to the principal that I was one of the most hardworking and promising students in the school, and they did not want to lose me. Since I was willing to start high school over as a freshman, they were delighted to keep me in their school. They convinced my parents that my artistic skills should be developed, and I was allowed to continue.

So, because of a war and curiosity and courage, I got to start my artistic career by attending a school that I did not know existed until I walked through its doors.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

In my view, we cannot expect society to change. Society is driven by inertia, fear, and dreams (instead of vision). I was once in a meeting with Plano officials discussing allowing public art downtown; one of them said, “We can’t have art out in public. How can we protect it from vandals?” She would have let fear stop the sharing of art.

There are always funding problems, problems understanding cash value, and other “practical considerations” from people whose influence and power is grounded in their focus on the financial or political. So, it is up to the artists to not wait for support from others to create their works. How we survive to create art remains an open question, but it has been that way forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mocva.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soheyla.art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemporarychildartmuseum.org/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soheyla-rashidyan-68a64865/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxczxTUSWmI

Image Credits
Nick Gharivand Mike Korman