Artist Profile: Ciara Nash
Art became my peace at a young age, and my other talents accompanied it. I experienced the thrills of being a part of an art show in kindergarten to be apart of an art show, and that moment motivated me to dive more into art. Since then, I have earned my Bachelor’s in Art Therapy with a minor in Graphic Design from Edgewood College and a Master’s from MICA, where I studied Business Management of Art and Design. This year, I will continue my Master’s in art therapy at Edgewood College. I worked on murals during the George Floyd protest, including the mural Say Their Names with fellow artists Brooklyn Doby and Synovia Knox. I have also participated in a few art projects in the city. In October 2022, I was a featured artist at the Freeport Art Museum in Freeport, IL. My exhibition was titled My One with Nature. If I am not creating art for myself, I am spending my time working and sharing my craft with the children of Madison. You can also catch me teaching art to the bright scholars at One City Schools!
— Ciara
On your website, you share that you started exploring art when you were 4 years old. What has helped sustain that exploration over the years? Have you had times when art wasn’t a central part of your life, and if so, how did you find your way back to it?
What helped me sustain my exploration over the years is knowing that I can create. It brings me joy! However, there are times when I will not make any art for months at a time due to unavoidable circumstances, but I do not entirely lose drive; I will find time to sketch and doodle here and there and build a list of ideas on things I could produce when I have the best time to start.
Also, working with kids for at least ten years and becoming an art teacher this school year, it does not feel like I am ever not doing art, even when I can not create my art.
Could you share a little bit about your artistic process? What kind of sparks a new piece? How do you decide which medium to explore that idea in, and when do you know when it is “finished?”
My artistic process is random. It all depends on how I feel and what I will create; what sparks a new piece tends to come to me differently. I could watch a movie or TV show, walk in the store, or listen to music. After I meditate, I produce an abundance of ideas. I never really choose the medium; they choose me. When I know a piece is complete, I feel content, I’m proud of myself, and there are “no flaws” in my eyes.
How has using art as therapeutic tool interacted with your own writing practices?
There are no challenges that I deal with. Studying art therapy has been more of an aid or guide for me. Art therapy has allowed me to gain a different approach to making art, understand why I feel the way I think, and be more open to what I want to share or create and how I may approach it in my practice as an art therapist. However, I only sometimes use it as a tool when creating some of my art. Sometimes, I make it because of a surge of creativity.
What are 2 to 3 exhibitions, concerts, books and/or book talks, spoken word events and/or films you are hoping to check out this season (between June and August or so) in Wisconsin or virtually?
I’ve been through many transitions these past few years and have been out of the loop. Things are slowing down, and I want to see what events and exhibits to attend this year!