Throughout March we are celebrating Women in the Arts with a connection to the Isle of Man. The aim of this series is to highlight the challenges that women face in the creative industry, share some advice to younger creatives and also to celebrate these women in their achievements.
Kate Jerry - Visual Artist
What is your professional background in the arts/Artists bio?
Visual Artist since I could hold a pencil. BA Hons Fine Art, London Guildhall University. I have worked as a freelance artist, art tutor and active facilitator of community art projects since 1989. I have also worked in a number of industries alongside my practice. Before moving back tot he Isle of Man in 2007, I worked on stage and in the production office at the National and Aldwych Theatre, London for 11 years. In 2019 the company ‘Artreach Studios’ was formed, following years of pop up exhibitions, creative art workshops for children and adults,which I co-own with Artist Colette Gambell. We run a number of visual Art events, courses and Art Workshop experiences alongside our own mixed media + ceramic practice.
What inspired you to pursue a career as an artist?
I always loved to draw, create, make, dance, perform and luckily, this was very much encouraged as I grew up. I decided that visual arts was my calling, at the age of 14 years. I felt a strong connection to painting and printmaking, it felt very natural to me. I think the positive feeling you receive when you create is so addictive that you constantly want to go back to it, this is the biggest motive to become a maker and the special moments while teaching art process, people experience the transformation that art making can bring.
What progress have you seen for women in your field?
The challenges: There are challenges for anyone wanting to make a career in visual art.
We all have a responsibility to create conditions in which visual art can thrive for both male and female. Co-running a gallery and understanding consumers purchasing power has made me realise the importance of educating both emerging artists and customers on the value of creating opportunity for a diverse range of artists. We can see clearly that top male Manx artists command higher prices than the equivalent level of female artists. There is lots of work to be done to ensure that there is a balance of patriachal and matriarchal leadership within organisations. Not sure this is really an answer to the question but I feel there is so much to do to progress challenges in visual art for everyone.
Share a women’s empowerment moment that inspired you creatively.
It’s inspiring to see female artists taking over social media and making a business from their art on this, however, I think there will be a reckoning, less in person exhibitions, events, there is nothing quite like seeing artwork in person and a body of works displayed in a gallery space.
What do you think is the biggest issue in the creative industries facing women of your age?
There is no doubt that historically the top spots for visual artists are given to men. However previously overlooked female artists, past and present, have gained recognition and value (when I discovered Frida Kahlo, over 25 years ago, she was not that well known), which is encouraging as it helps pave the way for contemporary female artists.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and can you share an example of that happening to you?
Just a few of the things girlfriends do for you......they are encouraging, compassionate, have trust and understanding. They are there when you are at your lowest, listening with all the time you need. We are so lucky to have them!
In the lead up to International Women’s Day (8th March), what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about a career in the arts?
Follow your heart, study your chosen field for as long as you can, be authentic, original and honest, don’t compromise over quality, be the best in what you do. Take inspiration from others, research but don’t copy. Think of all that you do as the start of where you want to be and enjoy the journey. The time you spend building skills in everything you do, will help you get to the place you want to be .There are so many different aspects to a career in arts, time spend doing other jobs will help keep you organised with the difficult business aspects. Keep developing the thing you do, work hard, work even harder, stay focused. Business is crying out for creative minds, so don’t beat yourself up if you take a sidestep and have to compromise and find work elsewhere.
What have you been working on/what would you like to promote?
Artreach Studios moved to new premises at The Old Gasworks, Mill Road, Peel in 2021 at the end of the last lockdown. This is such a major development in our creative practice and something we dreamt of for five years! We are so excited about having a space that will hold all our activities - art workshops, exhibitions, art material store and space to create our own art practice. We have many new events and projects on the horizon, so keep an eye on developments (and new instructors too!).
Where can we stay up to date?
www.artreachiom.com and find links there to our social, gallery pages + more.
