Meet Bo Bartlett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bo Bartlett.

Bo, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I always drew. I drew before I could talk. I was very late to talk. Almost four, it has to do with the way my brain processes information. The visual world is my currency. I got through a private school by giving my teachers drawings. I went to Florence at 18 and with a heavy dose of Renaissance Masters never looked back. I moved to Philadelphia where I attended The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, raised my family and lived for thirty years. Philly was good to me. I embraced Thomas Eakins and the American Realist tradition and it embraced me back.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I know I have been lucky. It’s all but impossible to make it on the Arts. But I worked my butt off… worked 16 hour days for years… took portrait commissions to make ends meet and feed the family. But hard work accrues like an investment. Meanwhile… luckily… the gods have been with us.

Art critics can be a blessing and a curse. If they like something it can sell out a show… if they ignore you that’s fine too. But when they go on the attack, it can affect your life and career. I’ve had my share of that in NY and beyond. But my friend Andrew Wyeth was always supportive and helped me get through many rough patches. He had his fair share of shade thrown by misguided off-the-mark critics. His friendship and mentorship saved me.

Bo Bartlett Center – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Bo Bartlett Center is a multi-disciplinary space for the creative cultural arts in Columbus. It opened in 2018 and houses 18,000 square feet of exhibition space, multi-use space Visiting Artists Galleries and archives. Concerts, Recitals, Dance, Poetry readings, workshops, Masterclasses, and drawing sessions all take place under the skylights.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Original intent and perseverance are the keys to success. Why are you doing it.. and can you persevere through all of the hardest challenges. We can’t do anything just for ourselves and expect it to have a shelf-life. Anything that’s worth doing, is… and must be… for the good of the whole. We get what we give. The BoBartlett Center is not just about enjoying creativity and the arts.. the outreach programs involve work with the homeless community, the incarcerated and school programs. Volunteers with “Home Is Where The Art Is” work with the homeless community every Thursday morning. I am in the Muscogee County Jail every Monday morning giving inmates the opportunity to express themselves. With “Art Makes You Smart,” we have gone into the schools and are developing a program for docent-led tours at The Center.

The key is to get outside of yourself. To take actions that serve the good of the whole system… and to be relentless… never give up. Life is short. We each have to play our part. It’s not about getting. It’s about giving.

Contact Info:

• Address: 921 Front Ave, Columbus, GA 31901
• Website: https://bobartlettcenter.org
• Phone: 706-507-8432
• Email: laskowski_emily@columbusstate.edu
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobartlettcenter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoBartlettCenter/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BBartlettCenter
• Other: www.BoBartlett.com

Image Credit:
Courtesy Bo Bartlett Studio

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