Join our special guests for a conversation about what it takes to become a working artist. We’ll be talking with:
Comic book author and artist Donna Barr, best known for The Desert Peach and Stinz
Benny Ensworth, 3D character sculptor and concept artist for Pokemon Company International
Todd Fischer, local artist, activist, and curator at the Todd Fischer Studio & Gallery
Paris Jade, activist and interdisciplinary artist, shareholder and writer at Strait Up Magazine and founder of SkyHouse Productions LLC
Sarah Jane, Gallery & Program Director for the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center
Kyle LeMaire, Executive Director of Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts
Our guests will answer questions about their personal and professional experiences working within a wide variety of artistic industries and mediums. Local industry leaders will present information about upcoming opportunities for artists.
This panel will be held in Silver Lining Cafe. Your $10 ticket includes a small coffee or tea. Additional food is available for purchase before the panel begins. Space is limited; click here to reserve your seat.
DONNA BARR
Donna Barr is one of the classic authors of the 1980's black-and-white comic book phenomenon. Her most successful series are The Desert Peach, and Stinz. She ran - by herself - the Clallam Bay Comicon, for seven years, and assisted at the Forks RainCon. More details at www.donnabarr.com
BENNY ENSWORTH
Benny Ensworth is a Port Angeles native who's been in the toys/collectibles industry for 5 years. After graduating from college with a BFA in 3D character modeling he began sculpting for Funko! With his love of toy collecting and passion for illustrating fanart this quickly became his dream job. While there, he sculpted hundreds of projects including the full line of Fallout 76 mystery minis, the Nux Car pop from Mad Max, and a large collection of My Hero Academia pops and mystery minis. After that he turned his attention to the Pokemon Company International where he currently is proud to do concept art and 3D sculpting for the Pokemon Center website. Check out his work at www.artstation.com
TODD FISCHER
Todd Fischer is a watercolor artist and painter based in Port Angeles, Washington. His colorful surf scenes, mountains, and PNW landscapes can be seen on murals, professional signage, and even Rainshadow coffee all over Washington State and beyond. Todd’s studio space and gallery is located inside the Port Angeles Wharf, right next to One of a Kind Art Gallery. When he isn’t painting, Todd volunteers his time and talents with the Surfrider Foundation.
PARIS JADE
Paris Jade is an Activist and interdisciplinary artist originally from The Bronx, NY. She became a shareholder and writer for Strait Up Magazine last year and has been using her platform as a writer to highlight Black voices.
Paris Jade is also the founder of SkyHouse Productions LLC, a production company which is home to the "Sky Dancers" a troupe of body positive Burlesque and Variety performers.
SARAH JANE
Sarah Jane is an artist and educator with a passion for making meaningful experiences that can be accessible to viewers of many different backgrounds. She has exhibited and taught art internationally, and her studio practice centers around site-specific and participatory works in a wide range of media. Sarah Jane holds an MFA in Studio Art from the University of Kentucky, and brings more than a decade of experience in gallery work, art education, and community arts programming. She currently works as the Gallery & Program Director at Port Angeles Fine Arts Center.
KYLE LEMAIRE
Kyle LeMaire is a director, actor, and teaching artist currently serving as the Executive Director of the Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts.
Past experience: Associate Artistic Director/Education Director for Open Arts Alliance, Associate Artistic Director/Business Manager for The Victory Dance Project (NYC). Associate Artistic Director for The Other Realm Theatre (New Jersey), and Education Director for The Acting Space in NYC (New Jersey).
Directing/Acting Credits: The Signature Theatre (NYC), The Cherry Lane (NYC), The Mint (NYC), Musical Theatre Factory (NYC), Soundbite Theatre Festival (NYC), Don't Tell Mama's (NYC), The Duplex (NYC), Virginia Rep (NYC), and TheatreWorks/USA (NYC).
Television: HBO's Girls and CBS's Bull.
Teaching Artist: Broadway Triple Threat (NYC), Center for the Performing Arts (New Jersey), Theatre Baton Rouge, and Virginia Rep. Musical Theatre at The New School for Drama, as well as the public school system.
He is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA.