How did you first get involved with LVA?
Marcia Boone asked me to be involved in re-working DinnerWorks when we were painting together one day. After that I did Orange Night of Art, Art Auction, helped start Art Squared and Open Studio Weekend… the rest is history!
When did you first know that art was going to be a big part of your life?
I got into trouble in the First Grade for drawing all over my homework assignments, tests, any paper I had really. It became such a problem my parents had to meet with my teacher and they all agreed I needed to pursue art.
What does LVA add to your life?
It’s my way of giving back to the visual art community in Louisville without making a profit. I sell local art daily at my business, but it means more to me than a paycheck. LVA is my way of walking the walk, and I enjoy every step.
How else are you involved in the community?
I am on two other Board of Directors; Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA) and Kentucky Natural Lands Trust (KNLT). These three non-profits are the three things I am most passionate about –Local Art, Land Preservation, and keeping Louisville weird with locally owned small businesses. I am also very involved with the Forecastle Foundation who helps fund projects for KNLT, primarily in the Pine Mountain corridor. It is the most bio-diverse part of our state and the it is absolutely incredible. If you haven’t been, you must go!
Describe your perfect Sunday afternoon.
A picnic with my husband and my dog at Cherokee park.
Who is your favorite local artist?
Ahhh! You know I can’t play favorites!! I am showing over 110 local artists at Revelry right now, and I love every one of them. I’ll say Julius Friedman, as he inspired me from a very young age to pursue a career in photography.
Where would you like to see Louisville 10 years from now?
I would like to see it like it is now, with a few minor changes. A better public transportation system and more of a focus on the environment and air quality would be a nice. Oh and I would love to see the Botanical Gardens come to fruition! A general move towards the city is happening right now, which I love. Now the city needs to be able to accommodate the move with grocery stores, more retail, and affordable housing.
What neighborhood do you live in? What are some of your favorite things about it?
My husband and I just moved to Butchertown from the Highlands. We wanted to live where we worked both for the environment and the economy. I am enjoying watching this neighborhood (Nulu/Butchertown) become a walking neighborhood like the Highlands and Crescent Hill. Being able to walk to work, to get coffee, to dinner is what I am used to and it makes it all the better that I have green space like the Big Four Bridge in my backyard.
What advice would you give your past self if you could?
Trust yourself. Some of the decisions you are going to make in life are going to make you insanely scared, but know that you are doing the right thing. Hearing that from future Mo would have saved me from a quite a few anxiety attacks…
