How did you get into your field?

I have always loved stories – listening to them, dreaming them up, telling them. I wrote my first song when I was 7 and that was the moment I knew I wanted to be a writer. I fell in love with poetry because of its ability to convey so much in such small packages.

Who or what were influences to your growth as an artist?

Dr. Martin Galvin was my writing teacher in high school — and he would send us out into the neighborhood to observe and write. He was generous and warm and pushed me towards poetry.

I’ve been influenced by zines – underground publishing – and book arts. For a number of years, I made zines that contained my poems, illustrations, short fiction pieces, and photography. Not only did I create the contents, I created the container they lived in and could share and trade with other writers.

Now my mentors are my peers and we help each other by workshopping each other’s work, flagging submission opportunities, and listening to the gripes when we receive another rejection.

What does teaching / facilitating access to art experiences mean to you?

There is a distinct joy one feels when the words fall into place, when the right image appears, and there is a way forward. Helping people discover that feeling, that every voice is unique and has something to contribute to the greater dialogue, is something I am passionate about.

What is something you would tell someone considering going into the arts?

So many things! Replenish yourself with viewing or experiencing art forms different from your own. Find a peer whose work you love and celebrate it. Learn from your contemporaries as much as you learn from the “canon.” The business of art is difficult so find a community. In that regard, I encourage every artist to read “Make Your Art No Matter What” by Beth Pickens, because she has helped me so much with the emotional aspects of being an artist.

Answer of your choice.

Write first, fix it later!

We’ll be highlighting staff and faculty artists through out the year. Rebecca works as the marketing and development manager and teaches writing workshops at the New Art Center.