Today we’d like to introduce you to Tisha Smith.
Hi Tisha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia where I studied Psychology with a minor in Art History at Virginia Union University. Inspired by the works of Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence, I developed my talent as a mixed-media collage artist. And while in college, I participated in the Women Caucus of Virginia annual art show and received an honorable mention award for my artistic talent and participation.
While in college, I served as the lead mentor with Clinical Alternatives, LLC for over five years. In this role, I helped to develop youth-based, state-approved programs that incorporated art therapy. As a result, my passion for youth and community empowerment grew immensely.
However, it wasn’t until I arrived in Atlanta nearly 20 years ago that I truly began to develop those passions. I saw a sign outside of the South Fulton Arts Center advertising a pottery class and went inside to inquire further. It was then that I met Julian Tillery and Deborah Mosely, two individuals that would be instrumental in my career. I shared with them my artistic background and Julian offered me an opportunity to create programming at the center and teach art classes. This turning point led to me launching Art You Better, LLC, an organization that offers art programming, curatorial and consulting services and total sensory experiences for local artists, businesses and organizations, local governments, galleries, and event venues.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A major catalyst in my artistic career has been my battle with breast cancer. I’m a two-time survivor who was first diagnosed in 2008. I was 35 years old with two small children, and it was devastating to receive a prognosis of Stage 3B breast cancer. But I didn’t allow fear to stop me from being creative. Instead, I leaned into my gifts. Art became an instrument for my healing. And it was also a way to help my children to navigate the process of my recovery. By introducing them to painting and crafting, I was able to take their focus off of my hair loss and the days when I couldn’t get out of bed.
I realized that just as art had helped me and my family to cope with my prognosis, I could leverage art to do the same for other people. Through Art You Better, I’ve been able to create programming and experiences that help people to not only process their trauma but also create something beautiful from the pain and hardships that they’ve endured.
I’ve also been able to use art to meet other needs in the community and fill critical gaps. Largely, art classes have been removed from schools due to a lack of funding. However, through my organization, I’ve been able to offer art history classes and even stage and set design classes, and it’s been very rewarding.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I first joined Fulton County’s Emma Darnell Aviation Museum and Conference Center in 2014, and since then, I’ve curated approximately 70 group, solo and juried exhibitions. I’ve had the opportunity to feature mid-career and mastery-level artists as well as emerging talent.
I liken my curatorial process to conducting a symphony. I display the artwork in a way that has rhythm, balance, and motion and that further develops the narrative of the featured artists’ work. I would also say that I approach the curatorial method scientifically using the same principles of art and design that the artist uses. While the artist’s substrate is the canvas, mine is the gallery wall.
There are a number of exhibitions that I’m especially proud of. I co-curated “Below I-20” with renowned artist Kevin Cole which was featured on WBS-TV’s People to People, and “Mapping Out the Pieces,” a dual exhibition with Rose Barron and Jeffrey Wilcox Paclipan. More recently I curated Derek Phillips’ “Bullets and Nooses Too: Message from Our Ancestors,” and I’m currently collaborating with Okeeba Jubalo to curate the Atlanta Fine Art exhibition which will debut locally on Jan. 28.
As my career has evolved, it’s been filled with incredible opportunities. In 2019, I was appointed to the South Fulton Public Art Commission where I have the opportunity to allocate dollars toward expanding the city’s artistic landscape. And earlier this year, I was selected to participate in the In the Paint program, a partnership with the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm. Now, a basketball that I painted is on display at the new State Farm headquarters.
I’ve also had the privilege of working with and developing long-term partnerships with incredible art leaders including Brian Hebert, Executive Director and Chief Curator at Arts Clayton, and Salondia Aveni, Deputy Director of Cultural Affairs in South Fulton, and artists such as Kevin Cole, Reginald Laurent, Jameel Wright and Julio Mejia. And I’ve worked with group collectives like African Americans for the Arts and participated in shows with Arts Clayton, Gallery 992, Southwest Arts Center, South Fulton Arts Center, and Zinah Gallery.
I’ve also been able to introduce members of the local community to the arts and connect with art lovers from across the metro area. Earlier this year when I curated “All the Colors in the World” featuring the work of Reginald Laurent, the support from the local community was tremendous. It was an especially humbling and rewarding experience for Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to come out and not only support the show but also share with attendees his love for the arts and his appreciation for the artist.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
One of my favorite books is “Assata,” the autobiography of activist Assata Shakur. Her story of resilience is unmatched and an inspiration to triumph and righteousness. I enjoy listening to Dave Chappelle, Talib Kweli and Yasin bey’s podcast, “The Midnight Miracle” as well as “Studio Noize: Black Art Podcast.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: artyoubetter
Image Credits
Susan Ross NobleSol Art Group April J. Taylor
