I can't believe it's been eight months since I took an unexpected nosedive into Madison's eclectic arts scene. 

What an amazing eight months it has been. 

I'm not sure who has benefitted more from this role; either myself or Carnelian Art Gallery. 

It's true that the gallery has seen its Instagram follower count alone jump by about 1,000 followers. It was at 400 when I started my role. It's also true that we have greatly expanded our social media presence to platforms like TikTok and YouTube, started hosting engaging art workshops, added interactive elements like poetry readings and live painting demonstrations to our events, and formed partnerships with other King Street businesses and arts organizations to bolster Madison's arts scene. 

We have also appeared in several news stories, as well as on television, rented out affordable studio spaces to local artists, opened up our gallery space to private renters for networking galas and fundraising shindigs, and have exhibited more than 30 Midwestern artists in seven and counting shows. Carnelian Art Gallery has, in addition, begun building upon an in-house art collection that is now available for sale online. 

For me, this job has become my lifestyle. It's a lifestyle that involves hustling and bustling to get the gallery noticed, lavish (yet intimate) parties, countless art exhibition openings, inspiration from other creatives, and community. This job has afforded me the opportunity to make a name for myself, and through that, so many new friends. 

I have had the opportunity within the past six months alone to serve as a panelist at a Dane Arts business conference, publish an ekphrastic poetry book, read said poetry book out-loud during a gallery event, serve as a grant reviewer for Dane Arts, and more. 

What have I learned from that experience?

I started this job as a doe-eyed former journalist not sure of what I was getting myself into or if I was even suited to help guide a gallery into the spotlight and be noticed by art collectors. Not a long while ago, I felt stuck and down on my luck. Working as a journalist was fulfilling, but the job is thankless. Not only are you not paid what you are worth, but everyone hates you, especially the government. 

Evan Bradbury, head curator of Carnelian Art Gallery, came out of almost nowhere and gave me the tools to embark on this adventure. Evan, you didn't just give me a job. You pulled me out of a dark place. You gave me the freedom to follow my creative instincts and become confident in myself as a leader again. You, essentially, rescued me. 

Through all that, I learned that you should have at least a skeleton of a plan for what your life will look like five years from now, because you never know when reality will change on a dime. While the figurative rug could be ripped out from under you in a heartbeat, its also true that there are people you don't even know about who are in your corner and cheering you on, ready to show up for you when you need it most. 

And you know that thing you won't do because you're scared? Do it anyway. 

Do it anyway.