Meet the Phoenix Jurors: Jenny Strickland
Q: Tell us a little about yourself & your background in the arts & crafts world:
I'm a native Phoenician, who has grown up frequenting the many awesome boutiques and craft fairs of our city. Aside from being on the consumer side of things, I’ve grown up in theatre and have loved nerding out on plays for my whole life. I’ve been creating experimental work for the past several years in the Valley, and love being a part of our arts scene.
Q: What/who is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration these days, are the thousands of people all over our country fighting for equality. I got the chance recently to meet Rika Tyler, Co-Founder and Director of Hands Up United, and she absolutely inspired me. To be so young, leading a movement, and to retain the amount of light that she does... I was taken aback. She and her colleagues are not only protesting for equality, but are actively using their resources to empower the youth of St. Louis, through their Books & Breakfast Program, and their courses on coding. And she still makes time to go out with her friends and enjoy life! I’m inspired by the many people in our community and others doing amazing work to make the world a better place tomorrow.
Q: How did you get into your position in the arts & crafts world?
Through an insatiable curiosity and coquettishness with Phoenix. I grew up going to school downtown, so a new experience was always just around the corner. Whether we were trying out a new coffee shop, bumming around on First Friday, or checking out a new restaurant, there were always so many people to meet and so many things to learn about what made those places unique. I sought out boutiques like Frances or Bunky, and now it’s my pleasure to get to share a life’s findings with our Localists at Local First Arizona.
Q: Tell us about a few favorites of yours: Weekend activity? Food? Color? Animal?
Weekend Activity: Every Saturday I go to the Downtown Phoenix Public Market to stock up on my veggies for the week. It makes me feel connected to our city, and my neighbors, and the families and lives around me.
Food: Pesto Pasta with tons of fresh garlic and veggies. OR Indian food, I love Curry Corner on Apache in Tempe!
Color: Copper
Animal: Lemur, they're so goofy.
Passion: Experimental Theatre, and Social Justice.
Fruit: Fig
Q: What do you love most about the handmade movement?
The arts & crafts world has a lot to do with the placemaking work I do with Local First Arizona. With the Localist program, it’s all about finding the ways the that people connect to their “place”. I love being able to paint a new story for Phoenix, or at least my story. Growing up, it was always easy to get down on Phoenix. We planned of moving away, chasing our dreams and sharing our successes with far away places. To me, Phoenix is a thriving city with an enviable arts scene, and enough boutiques to fill your closet for a lifetime. I get to show people the best our state has to offer, and so much of that is through getting to know our neighbors, and the many talented artists that our state has to offer.
Q: What is most important feature in an artist’s application for you?
To me, the most important feature in the artist’s application is the artist statement. I want to learn who these people are, and why they create what they create!
Q: What are you most looking forward to in being a part of the Jackalope Arts jury?
I’m looking forward to learning even more about what my state has to offer! I’m also looking forward to seeing folks at the fair whose applications I saw waaaay back in summer. Seeing it all come together, that’s going to be great.
Q: Where can we find out more about you?
Check out http://localfirstaz.com/localist to learn more about the Localist Program, and find new ways to see the city! I’m also a part of the Emerging Arts Leaders of Phoenix, which you can find more info about at http://www.ealphx.org/