Today we’d like to introduce you to Joi Cole.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Joi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Joi Cole Art was founded by me in September of 2017, in Washington D.C. My business had a unique start as my free time paintings landed me the role of designing the award plaques for the 35th annual McKinney Vento Homeless Act Awards.
Following that start in late 2017; we donated artwork to the human rights campaign, produced hand-painted custom denim jackets & apparel, mutualised popular studio spaces, became apart of many art shows/ exhibitions, performed live paintings, launched an online store, and became face of the community for multiple non profits of the greater Washington D.C. area.
From January through May of 2018, business slowed as I indulged in a semester at Montgomery College of Silver Spring, Maryland. During that semester I was fully distracted of ways to expand my business, but I wasn’t sure where or how.
June of 2018, I decided to take one way flight to San Diego, California. I chose San Diego based off nothing but the geographical location and the weather.
Emerging my business in San Diego was initially rough. I didn’t have any tools for my business, (workspace, art supplies, etc.) so it pushed me to rely on many non-profits for help.
Utilizing resources through the non-profits in San Diego, lead to me no not only gain the materials, and supplies, but it also opened a door of expansion for my business and I. It lead Joi Cole Art to expand with Activism!
Joi Cole Art is now official allies with HEAL San Diego (Homeless Empowerment Through Art & Leadership) were we volunteer instruct lessons on oil pastels, and help with HEAL’s mobile art studio. Joi Cole Art is also allied with Rising Art Leaders of San Diego. In addition, Joi Cole Art has a research partnership with SDSU, exploring how health effects homeless youth in San Diego after the 2017 Hepatitis A outbreak.
Following up with allies, I am a representative of Joi Cole Art on San Diego’s Youth Advisory Board, where we are constructing the youth demonstration grant ‘Community Plan to End Youth Homelessness in San Diego’ where Joi Cole Artwork will also be featured on the cover of the grant.
While these live art and activism roles of Joi Cole Art are occurring, Joi Cole Artwork has been in many exhibitions between San Diego; Hanalei Artworks, The Brown Building, Thumbprint Gallery, Minnar Art Studio, Art on 30th, Art San Diego, and Los Angeles; Phase One Cancer Research and Buena Park City Community Center.
Joi Cole Art has featured work on homeless youth resource guides and handbooks across the nation.
Joi Cole Art recently partnered up with Our Safe Place (LGBT Youth Drop-in Center) and curated our first Art Show, where we hosted 15 local Artist, including Joi Cole to an art exhibition and open mic.
You can hear more about Joi’s story and how Joi Cole Art started, on the Dusty Dawn Consulting-Artist Unmasked Podcast, where Joi is featured on Season 1.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I faced many obstacles in this journey. I started my business while being homeless, and escaping domestic violence. I only recently became housed. During this time, I had to self-discipline myself to only become 100% about Joi Cole Art, literally cutting out everything that did not pertain to my goal. It’s like a liquid only diet.
Mentally – starting this art business was a huge risk because as a 20-year-old black woman, you are battling society and many stereotypes of a “starving artist career.” For me, I look past it all and see how much light I’ve made through darkness only motivates me so much.
Please tell us more about your business, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My business is based around my artwork & activism.
My artwork is my EXTREME abstract mixed medium paintings, My paintings are what I am most notorious for. I operate my paintings on large stretched canvas. My average size is 3ft x 4ft. I use acrylic paint and my own personal take on the color wheel. I often construct anthropomorphic figures, juxtaposing scene-scapes, and 4-d personified characters. I have a distinct style that is never before seen. My execution, color theory, a boldness is what sets me apart from other artists.
My activism in the community is something I am very proud of. It is how I am able to use my voice in a positive way for change, reflects me as a role model for people of all ages.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Proudest moment so far would not necessarily be a specific moment, it would be in the distance in how far I have come from nothing, with no support. I was born in Detroit Michigan, a city at the time- notorious for its high murder rates and poverty level, many people of my demographics don’t get a chance to ever leave the city.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2220 Broadway San Diego, California 92102
- Website: http://joicoleart.wordpress.com
- Phone: 2028735384
- Email: joicoleart@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/joicoleart
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/joix100
- Other: http://joicoleart.bigcartel.com
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
