Interview with Emily Faehnle
MA: Tell us about your background as an artist. When did art first become important to you?
EF: I began making art at a very young age. Art and creativity were always things that were fostered by my parents, who are both incredibly talented artists in their own right. Art has always been a way to communicate and express feelings for me. I don't know that I could pinpoint exactly when it first became important to me because it has always been such a pivotal part of my life.
MA: Was there a specific teacher, moment, or experience that made you realize art could be part of your future?
EF: I think I knew from an early age that I wanted art to be a part of my life, but it really was my high school and college professors who made me realize it could be a career I could flourish in. Tami Conrad and Shelby Hart, my high school art teachers, were just two of many mentors in my life who got me to where I am today.
MA: What role did creativity play in your life growing up in Martin County?
EF: Art was all around me growing up in Martin County. The creative opportunities felt endless. Creativity was an outlet for self-expression and a way for me to pick apart and understand big feelings and emotions that so often come with being a teenager.
MA: Do you remember the piece you submitted to the Marvin S. Cone High School Juried Art Show? What was it, and what inspired it?
EF: If I'm being honest, I did not remember the piece that I originally submitted to the show, but after some serious digging, I was able to figure out which one it was. It was a collection of photographs that touched on the Islamic faith and its promotion of non-violence during a time of particular strife in the world and mistrust of the unknown. As a young artist, I so desperately wanted to make an impact and confront big topics.
MA: At that age, did participating in the show change the way you viewed yourself as an artist?
EF: I think it gave me greater confidence and belief that this is something I could be successful in long term.
MA: Looking back now, how important was that experience in your artistic journey?
EF: I think it was an incredibly important experience because it allowed me to showcase my work to the public and to fail, for lack of a better word. It is absolutely an honor to be able to be showcased at all, but it taught me that you don't win everything. (I did indeed not win a single thing at this show lol)
Participating in the show opened my eyes to the breadth of creative talents and unique ideas the arts can foster. It gave me the courage to pursue art not just as a passion, but as a career. Without this show and the arts in Martin County, I don't know that I would've had the confidence or drive to jump headfirst into a career in the arts.
MA: How meaningful is it to now guide students through the same process you once experienced yourself?
EF: I feel lucky to be able to share what I know with my students each day. This show is no exception. Being able to grow up in Martin County has given me a unique perspective on all of the events that take place each year, something that I hope translates as I guide my students through this process.
MA: How has your perspective on the juried art show changed now that you are an educator?
EF: I have a better understanding of the importance of the show and the impact it, and the Arts in general, can have on young people. I see now that the effort, time, and money that go into preserving and promoting the Arts are at the forefront of this prestigious show.
MA: What do you hope your students take away from participating in the exhibit?
EF: I hope that my students feel proud of the amazing work that they have created, no matter the outcome of the show. I hope that students come away with a renewed vigor for creation.
MA: Why do you believe art education matters, especially for high school students?
EF: Skills you learn in the art room are skills that you will use your entire life. Art education matters because it is a tool for self-expression and allows students to broaden their understanding and worldview.
MA: What do you think people sometimes misunderstand about art education?
EF: I believe there is a tendency to underestimate the power of art as an educational tool. I think it is often seen in its most basic form, the creation of art, rather than the building of essential skills. While creation and self-expression are at their core incredibly important, these two artistic elements do not live in a vacuum. Art promotes everything from the development of fine motor skills to critical thinking and analysis.
MA: What do you wish someone had told you as a young artist?
EF: I wish I were reminded that just because you might fail once or twice, it does not mean that you are a failure. Taking those failures as moments for reflection and learning allowed me to become not only a better artist but a better person.
MA: Why do programs like this juried art show continue to matter?
EF: Programs like the juried art show matter because they bring attention to the incredible artistic talents we have in Martin County.
