Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Huffman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I always knew I wanted to do art…my brothers who were going into Commercial Art would show me how to use different tools and materials. I attended the High School of Art and Design in New York City, Florida Atlantic University and received a Master’s in Art Education from Florida International University. I went on to teach Visual Art in Broward County Public Schools, grades K-12, for 31 years, retiring in 2011. In my own art, I started to work on fabric, incorporating drawing, painting and printmaking along with contemporary processes, such as digital printing, embellished with hand and machine stitching
Just prior to retirement, I was selected as one of two Florida Art Educators, by the Florida Alliance for Arts Education, for the first State Teachers Arts Residency (STAR) at the prestigious Hermitage Artist Retreat in Sarasota County. This opportunity prepared me to transition to work as a full-time artist and develop a clear direction for my work.
Continuing to share my enthusiasm as an artist I sought out new teaching opportunities. Today I’m on the faculty of The Boca Museum Art School and have taught at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, Florida CraftArt in Sarasota as well as local guilds and arts organizations. I’ve received several awards for my work and have been included in local, state and national exhibits, including “Piecing Together A Changing Planet” which traveled to ten National Parks and Historic Monuments over a three-year period. I’ve received several grants from Broward Cultural Division and Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.
My studio is at Bailey Contemporary Arts in Pompano Beach, where I also offer workshops. I work and exhibit collaboratively with two other artists, Janet Gold, and Deborah Gregg as Six Hands Collaborative. Besides my fine art textiles, I have begun creating functional pieces for the home and apparel. My hand painted pillows have been sold through the gift shop at the Boca Museum of Art.
Currently I’m in the process of designing textiles for the home as well as for clothing and accessories, moving beyond the walls of the gallery to a wider retail market. Unlike the current trend of using an online production site to digitally print my designs on textiles, my pieces are hand-dyed and printed, one-of-a-kind, original pieces.
Has it been a smooth road?
As an artist and art educator, I’ve been blessed with many opportunities. As with many artists, the biggest challenge for me is finding my audience and staying focused… Because of the broad nature of my training and practice as an educator, it’s easy to become “seduced” by too many techniques, tools, and ideas and lose sight of my direction. Although I don’t consider this to be an obstacle, trying to do too many things can certainly be a distraction from being a productive and successful artist.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My work as a fiber artist reflects my connection to the Florida environment. I am intrigued with the small nuances in the natural world and its relationship to humanity. I create works of art on fabric to connect my viewers to my personal observations and experiences incorporating both fine art and craft traditions, as well as contemporary innovations. I integrate various media, including dyeing, drawing, painting, printmaking and digital imagery with machine and hand stitching, to embellish each image in a way that will emphasize and convey to the viewer, my fascination with the subject. Through this process, I hope to engage each viewer in a visual dialogue about our connectedness to the environment and inspire a deeper appreciation for the need to preserve its beauty.
My work has been exhibited in National, State, and local nature centers, where I’ve also conducted hands-on workshops and events, educating the public on Florida endangered species and respecting our natural environment. Art is a powerful way to engage the community and create a dialogue for good.
Do you feel luck has played a role in your life?
I’ve learned over the years to take advantage of opportunities to connect with people and groups both within the art community, as well as those who may have other similar interests. Being selective with my time has often led to connections that were positive and meaningful. One example was when I was considering teaching in a venue that was not yet open but showing up at a meeting for potential faculty. It turned out that it wasn’t the right place for me at the time, but I met an instructor from the Boca Museum Art School. She suggested I contact the director there. That led to becoming part of one of South Florida’s most respected art institutions.
Attending the Florida Convening Culture conference on Art and the Environment connected me with like-minded people in the arts, as we continued to see each other at future events and find mutual connections that led to new opportunities.
I learned that some of the organizations I joined were not the right fit for me but developed relationships through those organizations that have nurtured me as an artist and helped me to find my right place. I think it’s important to not try to fit into every niche; knowing when to make our own opportunities and when to move on. As opposed to calling it “luck”, I would view it as “informed intuition”: experience plus gut instinct.
Pricing:
- Wall hangings range from $150-$1500
- Hand-dyed and painted pillows: $60 -$85
- Mini-wall hangings and framed prints: $50-$100
- Fabric collages in shadow box frames: $500 ( 20″ sq, / 19 x 15″)
- Hand dyed silk scarves: $40
Contact Info:
- Address: Bailey Contemporary Arts (BACA)
41 NE 1st St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Art Walk, first Friday of every month, beginning at 6pm or by appointment. - Website: www.andreahuffman.com
- Email: afhuf24@gmail.com
- Instagram: @afhuffman- https://www.instagram.com/afhuffman/
- Facebook: Andrea Huffman Art Work- https://www.facebook.com/andreahuffmanart/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel&eid=ARDzLOF4nW4qm_Rx3BwYf5J1jJMqw-k8347bcZcqxhebTgMmXqA6DFgEc4_XQ4WLbZhKdlr0itEBopAl
- Other: https://meanderinglines.wordpress.com/
Image Credit:
Gerhard Heidersberger
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