In Q3, the EAC team spent over 150 hours guiding individuals and 63 hours guiding organizations.
Erie Arts & Culture helps artists, culture bearers, art educators, and non-profit leaders develop and implement project, career, and organizational plans. During these consultations, we determine potential obstacles and constraints, identify critical resources, facilitate introductions to build beneficial relationships, and define desired objectives and outcomes. Through these efforts, we empower our stakeholders to approach their work with agency and intentionality. Below are statistics related to the number of consultations we provided this past quarter as well as a few testimonials from stakeholders we served.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to a team member about any of EAC's programming and opportunities! We are here to help.
Shaddai Crosby and Erica Whiting
Shaddai Crosby and Erica Whiting are two of Erie’s rising photographers and the minds behind Wild Creatives Studio, a new studio rental space for photographers and content creators, which celebrated its grand opening in September. Erica and Shaddai operate independent photography businesses in their own unique styles while working in Wild Creatives Studio.
Shaddai has been involved with Erie Arts & Culture for 3 years and most recently received a Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program grant for her business, Photos by Dai. Beyond providing access to financial resources, the CEA Program facilitated her relationship with Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center. As the owner of a growing business, meetings with the SBDC encouraged Shaddai to employ a more strategic mindset when planning for the future of her photography business. Their meetings focused primarily on digital promotion and advertising strategies.
In addition to her growth as a business owner, this Spring, through EAC’s Creating with Community initiative, Shaddai worked alongside three other artists to complete an interdisciplinary installation along the 19th Street Corridor. Her work can be found online at photosbydai.com and on Instagram @photos_bydai_
Erica is a business owner, fine arts photographer, and painter, and has met with members of Erie Arts & Culture staff for guidance through her transition from art teacher to full time artist. Erica’s continuing relationship with EAC has allowed her to identify actionable steps to achieve her professional and artistic goals. She developed her portfolio materials, began seeking opportunities to showcase her work at a regional level, and got connected with a mentor to continue enhancing her painting skills as she pursues professional opportunities in the art world. Erica is learning strategies to grow her professional art career by applying for residencies, fellowships, and grant opportunities through EAC and other organizations.
Erica’s work can be found online at ericawhiting.com and on Instagram @ericawhitingphoto
Together, Shaddai and Erica exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of Erie’s artist and creative community. Through their relationship with Erie Arts & Culture, they’ve connected with opportunities to scale and grow their skills as creatives and business owners, and as a result, contribute toward making Erie a destination where artists and creatives achieve their goals.
Britty Lea:
"Without the assistance of Erie Arts and Culture and the Emerging Artist Fellowship I would not have been able to create my very first solo video art installation exhibition. EAC spent the time assisting me with the process and were so supportive after awarding me the Fellowship. They have an understanding of both the creative and the administrative side of creating art which in turn made the process easy to begin. The support is palpable and incredibly encouraging."
Niecey Nicole:
"Over the last year EAC has made a huge impact in my life. They have supported me with my art endeavors by offering me opportunities to not only share my poetry but also learn skills. I have been trained and joined the Teaching Artist Roster, participated in [Regional Common] In-Sevice Days and Creative Crowd. I was also recently awarded an artist's recovery grant to further my plans for local poetry programs. I am very grateful to be recognized and supported and I am excited and motivated to give back each time."
Alex Stahley:
"For over 2 years, Erie Arts & Culture has facilitated pathways for me to creative opportunities that have met my specific needs as an emerging artist. These pathways include everything from inviting me to their artist gatherings, where I can meet other Erie-based artists, to providing studio space for me in a time when I had none. I can confidently say that EAC makes the process of being an artist accessible by providing unending support and patience with the artists and allies they work with.
Currently, I am the inaugural resident artist of FEED, a new media-art center in Downtown Erie. I was first introduced to the founder of FEED, Benton C. Bainbridge, by Erie Arts & Culture in August of 2022 and we have been working closely ever since."
Thasia Anne Lunger:
"As someone with a brain injury, I respect how Casey and Ethan took their time explaining the grant application process and didn't leave me feeling stupid. They stayed open to me for questions along the way, and in the end I reached my goal and received a grant. I sincerely appreciate them."
