Career Path of a Visiting Assistant Professor as an Artist

In undergrad, I knew I wanted to pursue something creative, but I explored many different departments and possibilities. I was clear about the creative things I wanted to do, but unsure how they would fit into the larger world.

I moved from philosophy to music composition, then tried astronomy and film. Eventually, I landed in a sculpture program that was very supportive. They allowed me to explore unconventional ideas, like making card games as sculptures.

The program broadly defined what a sculpture could be, and I loved the idea of games being considered sculptural. They were incredibly supportive, even helping me secure grants for my projects.

One larger project involved growing my hair for two years to have a wig maker create a wig from it. Even without knowing exactly where my artistic niche would fit, my clear vision helped me gain support and institutional backing.

I also engaged in a lot of DIY activities, starting collectives and bands. I performed on street corners and was very active in my own artistic expression. These diverse experiences eventually began to connect and create opportunities.

Because I was present in my community, faculty members became aware of my work. They saw me in various capacities, whether playing music, facilitating game nights, or doing performance art. This visibility led to various people hiring me for different projects.

I did video editing for Michael Jackson's photographer and worked for numerous other artists. Different mentors entered my life, teaching me and taking me under their wing. I also worked at a grocery store for three years alongside these side gigs.

I gradually realized I wanted to go to graduate school to further my artistic vision and gain more access to the contemporary art world. A master's degree was a common path then, offering connections to galleries, a cohort community, curators, and other professionals.

Working for artists and taking on various everyday jobs, like at a bookstore, continued during and after undergrad. In graduate school, I fully immersed myself in my art, allowing myself to be a full-time artist and student.

My thesis project was a two-and-a-half-hour experimental stand-up comedy set. Many parts of the performance transformed the audience into a play space where I engaged them in strange games and role-playing.

This piece attracted the attention of curators and arts institution directors in Los Angeles. This led to a significant project with a nonprofit art space: an experimental, performative escape room with puppets, which I wrote, directed, and ran.

I played all the roles, wrote the fantasy world, and had complete artistic control. They funded the project, paid me a salary for a year, and I ran it as a pop-up for three months, performing about 12 shows weekly.

This work led to connections with high-level creatives in LA. Machine Project, the space that gave me these opportunities, also facilitated my building a two-story sculpture on the historic Gamble House. I transformed the house into a giant cuckoo clock with hourly performances.

They provided substantial grants and paid me for these endeavors. My path was largely defined by my creative persistence and bringing my work into public spaces. I gained belief and momentum from others, leading to increasingly significant support.

It was an approach of "if you build it, they will come," at least in my experience.