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

Zackary, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes, but not at first, working as the Exhibition Director at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild as my full-time job has allowed for a guaranteed income amount. While I am regularly selling my artwork at Houska Gallery here in St. Louis, my creative work doesn’t provide enough income to completely rely on on its own. After graduating with my Masters of Fine Art (MFA) from University of North Texas, I found myself trying to figure out what path to take, asking do I go the higher education route, or working in the gallery world. After applying for several positions locally, I was brought on at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, which shortly after I was then asked to adjunct at a local community college, which has really allowed me to diversify my income and to have the best of all worlds. Which as allowed me to create a living at my creative work, whether it be curating/planning our exhibits at the gallery, teaching my students printmaking techniques at a local community college, or creating my own artwork to sell.

I feel on major milestone was achieving an MFA which instilled consistent work ethic to make a ton of artwork in my art practice. Another key element I feel has helped me was being included in the artists at Houska Gallery here in St. Louis. This has allowed my work to be shown to collectors here in our community, but also a far.

I think my success happened relatively quickly, being 31 years old, having achieved several goals I had set for myself back at the beginning of graduate school. I think I could have potentially applied for more opportunities at could have helped things along, but I also think some of the information I have gained from my other jobs has also helped.

Zackary, 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 graduated from the University of North Texas with his Masters of Fine Arts in Printmaking in 2018, my work explores themes of queer codes within the LGBTQ+ community which are still referenced or long lost to our current queer culture. My artwork has been exhibited nationally, along with being published in several art magazines nationally and internationally. Currently I am the Exhibition Director at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, and am an Adjunct Professor at the St. Louis Community College Forest Park where I teach the printmaking courses offered through their art program.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was that everything I made art wise needed to be done through printmaking. Going through a traditional graduate program, we were pushed to really refine our printmaking skills and make everything within the printmaking medium. Having graduating and collaborating with other artists in other disciplines, I have found that some artwork ideas are better conveyed through another medium, which with my new work has really opened my art practice to endless possibilities for new art.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I still feel like I am building an audience on social media, but with the audience I have gained, I feel I try to keep my social media mainly to my artwork. Giving them insight into my work and making practice. I recommend for those just starting to build a social media presence is to think about who your work is tailored for. With my work being mainly for the LGBTQIA+ community, I tend to hashtag my posts to that community to help build my following.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zackpetot.com
• Instagram: zackpetot