Wearing All the Hats (and Then Some)
Some people collect stamps. Some people collect coffee mugs. Apparently, I collect job titles. Depending on the day, you’ll find me answering to artist, photographer, wife, mom, chicken wrangler, social media director, and art council representative. That’s a lot of hats for one head though luckily, cowboy hats are my favorite, so maybe I’m well prepared.
Being an artist is the center of my life outside of family. It’s the steady, driving force behind most of what I do. But lately, I’ve added a few new titles that surprised even me. I became the social media director for our town’s art group, the representative of our town to the county art group, and a member of the county art council itself. Apparently, when you raise your hand once to volunteer, people remember you forever.
These new roles are short term, 3 years or so, for me. I know I won’t be living in this town, county, or even state forever. But I like the idea of leaving something positive behind. Art communities don’t grow unless someone puts in the time to nurture them, and right now, I get to be one of those people.
Now, let’s be honest: being in a leadership role comes with its quirks. One of the hardest parts is getting others to participate. People love an idea in theory, they’ll nod and smile but then when it’s time to help bring it to life, suddenly everyone’s calendar fills up or they wait for someone else to take the lead. I’ve learned that “I love that idea!” often really means “I’ll drop off my art works but don’t want to be asked to do more!”
But the flip side makes it worthwhile. When artists stop seeing each other as competition and actually start working together, something magical happens. Support replaces comparison. Collaboration replaces isolation. That’s the stuff I love to see, and the reason I keep showing up for these groups.
When I ran a class on art focused social media, We discussed how certain types of videos tend to get more traction, and people were concerned, they would be creating competition if they shared “How to” videos. The answer is no. Most people who see your video will save it with every intention of making their own… and then life gets in the way. They’re too busy, too distracted, or maybe just too lazy. Meanwhile, the person who actually made the video ends up being seen as the authority. It’s not about competition it’s about showing up. That’s a lesson I’m still trying to hammer home.
The funny thing about all of these titles is that they do connect back to my art, even if not directly. I don’t pull inspiration from the groups themselves. I have plenty of inspiration elsewhere but being part of them has opened doors I might not have found otherwise. For example, I’ve started learning more about grants, not just for the groups but for myself as an artist. That’s a big shift, and one I probably wouldn’t have pursued if I hadn’t stepped into these leadership roles.
At the same time, I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that I’m still an artist within these communities, not just someone pushing papers or posting Facebook updates. I still get to participate in the shows and clinics. I still get to share my work alongside everyone else’s. It’s a balancing act amplifying other people’s art while remembering my own has a voice, too.
So yes, I juggle more titles than I ever thought I would. Some days I feel like I should print them all on a business card just to see how many lines I can squeeze in. Other days, I’d rather throw the whole pile of hats in the corner and just paint in peace. But at the end of the day, every role ties back into what matters most: making art, supporting art, and leaving the art world a little brighter than I found it.
Even if I have chicken feathers on my jeans while I do it.
Y’all have a great day,
MERC