Written by Frank Juárez

Recently, a former student reached out to me about seeking a videographer for a project. She stated that she moved back to Sheboygan after living in Los Angeles for the past decade. She missed being home. After our conversation, I began thinking about the idea of belonging, identity, and what it means to find a place you call home.

Milestones

2026 will celebrate a few milestones: 25 years as a high school art educator and professional artist, 13 years of publishing Artdose Magazine, and 16 years of curating the Indiana Green Invitational. Celebrating small and big successes helps maintain focus, reevaluate goals, recalibrate, build excitement, and plan for the future. I have always believed that creating a strong foundation will continue to support the work I do. I understand that this takes time, patience, trial-and-error, etc. I had my fair share of failures and rejections. Life throws curveballs with unexpected challenges. I have learned that the way we face these challenges will impact results. 

Whether publishing an art publication, selling art, leading workshops, organizing events, offering services, and so on, education needs to be at the forefront. Not everyone understands what we do as creatives, so it is necessary to find ways to engage with the public. This builds a level of understanding and hopefully the beginning of support that is needed to sustain our creative practice.

What We Need is Support

An example of showing support is to give credit where credit is due. This means to acknowledge any work that has been purchased and/or commissioned. That credit goes a long way.

I have been fortunate to have had diverse experiences in art education, non-profit arts organizations, and running a small business, which provided a broader outlook on how essential the arts are and what they brought to my life. 

I remember a fellow artist saying, “The answer is right under your nose.” This came at a time when I could not find the motivation to make art or go to my studio. At first, I was not quite sure what she meant. And then I had my a-ha moment. Making art does not mean to physically make art, but rather to be present.

Where It Began

After I graduated from Carroll University in 1997, I did what every graduate does – look for a job. After several interviews for an entry-level graphic design position, I decided that it was not for me. I decided to go into teaching. I reenrolled at Carroll to pursue my teaching certification. Although I wasn’t 100% certain that this was a field I wanted to get into, I decided to become a substitute in the Milwaukee Public Schools System to see what teaching could be like. 

My last substitute assignment was at Lady Pitts School, an alternative program for pregnant and parenting youth. I was the seventh sub in six weeks. My assignment was for three days. At the end of my third day, I went to see the principal, Ms. Sheila Harris, to share my experience and to say thank you. She said, “Frank, come in and close the door. I hear you have an art degree.” Then she asked if I would be interested in an extended assignment teaching an art class for three months. Of course, I accepted.

That assignment affirmed my decision to go into education. Building those relationships and offering the opportunity to let these students express themselves clicked for me. As teenage moms, they had to fulfill their core requirements. They needed to have the chance to be themselves as well. They were learning, having fun, and engaging in the creative process. 

And it wasn’t necessarily about teaching future artists, but giving them the chance to experience art, and that’s when I knew I wanted to become an art teacher.  – Frank Juárez

I share this story because we do not always know if we will be good at something if we do not try. There is the fear of what if I fail, what if no one is interested, or perhaps this can be a waste of time. We need to get over this hurdle and experience it for ourselves. I have always had an admiration for those who give their ideas a shot, versus saying that one day I will do this. What if that one day never comes?

So, why did I choose to stay in Wisconsin after I graduated from college? The answer was simple. It is my home. It is where I belong and can make a difference. I understand that there are states that are better equipped to support their creative economies through state funding, legislation, philanthropy, etc, with a strong public investment and cultural landscape. But, there is something that continues to keep me here, and that is the community I continue to help build and am an active member of. This possibly couldn’t be the main reason, but it truly is – for me. A community is a place that we invest in, advocate for, and contribute to. I think about what I want to see, experience, and how it can be created? 

Possibilities and Opportunities

Today, the possibilities are endless with the use of social media and remote work. Through possibilities create opportunities. It is easy to hide behind the screen, but the true magic happens in person. Balancing an online and physical presence that can spark conversations is an effective way to start networking. The real work starts when you take it to the next level, which is to begin making connections and finding ways to maintain those relationships. 

Tips

Here are a few tips that helped me continue to sustain a successful career in art education and art over the past two decades. 

Community

In 2018, I attended an artist talk in which the artist talked about community and how it impacted his work. My takeaway from this was that you enrich your life with those whom you surround yourself with. To this day, I think about this often. Instead of trying to fit into one specific group, why not expand your presence into all groups – artists, local business owners, gallerists, curators, entrepreneurs, etc. Get to know your community. Make things happen.

Accountability

In 2006, I co-owned a contemporary art gallery called Barrow + Juárez Contemporary Art Gallery, in the Marshall Building, Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee. Although the gallery experience was short-lived (July 2006 – December 2007), I learned that if things are not going the way you want, such as a difficult partnership, no gallery sales, no collectors, low attendance, lack of promotion, etc, it is easy to blame it on someone else. The reality is that when others are involved, everyone has strengths and weaknesses that they bring to the table. It is important to discuss them before executing ideas, plans, or programming. Success is built on teamwork, honesty, compromise, communication, and accountability. It is important to hold yourself accountable for every idea and action you engage in. Before pointing the finger at someone else, I suggest looking at yourself first. What didn’t you do? What could you do differently? What lesson did you learn? In what ways can you make the next thing run more efficiently? It is important to lead by example. Acknowledge failures and recalibrate to carry forward the best version of yourself. 

Networking

Social media is great if used in moderation. It is an effective tool to get the word out, keep people informed, and engaged in the content that is being shared. However, it is important to balance both the online and physical presence. Networking works best in person. Find ways to attend exhibitions, events, conferences, and social gatherings to meet people from all walks of life. Carry business cards. They are still relevant. 

Advocacy

To advocate is to educate, and to educate is to communicate. Everyone does not understand the creative work that we do or why we do it. Instead of focusing on the masses, let’s focus on one person at a time. To illustrate this idea, let’s take the infamous contact list. When an artist sells a work of art, the first thing that needs to be done is to get that person’s contact information and explain the intention of the ask. Once you have it, create a contact group. After a sale, the new buyer’s contact information should be added to this contact group. Over time, you will create a list of people who support and appreciate the work you do. Another layer to this is to keep track of data and observations. When we speak about the arts with people, we talk about the challenges that exist within our creative field. Perhaps switch the narrative to share the positives, successes, accomplishments, and career aspirations.

We know how essential the arts are in our lives and what they can bring to the lives of others. Advocacy takes time, patience, persistence, and intention. Create authentic art experiences where they become active participants. Get them excited!

Commitment

In 2019, I decided to close the Frank Juárez Gallery (2017-2019) and commit to growing Artdose Magazine. Back in the day, it was a quarterly art guide (2013-2018). Artdose went through a few iterations, impacted by a decrease in advertisers. I knew how important it was to continue brainstorming about other creative ideas to keep the magazine moving forward. This is when the next logical thing was to dive headfirst and figure out how to make it into an art magazine.  

Everyone has a vision of where they want to be in life or what to accomplish personally and professionally. I do understand that ideas and priorities change, but if it’s something you truly believe in, go all in. Something that is not going in the direction you want can be adjusted with a new plan in place to get you there. 

So, Why Did I Choose to Stay in Wisconsin?

The communities I engage with touch upon every aspect of my personal and professional life. They exist on social media, virtually, and in person. Each community brings out the best in me and makes me want to contribute more to the field of art education and the art. Could I be successful in a different state? Yes. However, I am fully invested in this state and am fulfilled with what I do.

In Wisconsin, I believe I can make anything become reality. And, so can you.