At GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, creativity takes many forms—and so do the journeys that lead our team into their craft. Some of us found art by accident, others by passion, and some through a little (or a lot) of parental encouragement. No two paths are the same, and that’s exactly what makes our community so vibrant.
We asked our team: “How did you get started in your craft?” Here’s what they had to say:
Nikki Vitchner, Glass Technician / Building 6 Manager
“It was suggested as a studio elective while I was pursuing my illustration degree. I took it thinking I wouldn’t have another chance to blow glass. I fell in love with the material and I haven’t looked back. It’s almost been 10 years and I’m still keeping it glassy.”
Jesse Futter, Marketing Director
“I have always been around art. My mom always tells a story about how I had a meltdown in preschool because they would only give me safety scissors and I couldn’t cut the clean lines I was used to at home with real tools. Even as a kid, I took creating seriously.”
Matt Brown, Wood Studio Manager
“I started out turning. Don’t tell anyone.”
Paola Mateo, Youth Programs Coordinator | Art Instructor
“I saw a fashion show on TV when I was 6 years old and I remember I asked her for a sewing machine. She bought me one and took me to Jo-Ann’s to buy fabric so I could practice. I made my first skirt at 7 years old and started repairing my family’s clothes at the age of 10. My mom has supported me ever since, in all of my art adventures; Fashion, Music, Performance, Sculpture, and now working with art constantly at GoggleWorks.”
Margaret Pendleton, Events Rental Director
“My craft right now is makeup. It’s something I’ve been putting on my face since junior high and I’ve managed to funnel it into a social media account. It’s my creative outlet. My first memory of makeup was my mom putting red lipstick on me for a recital pre-kindergarten.”
Scott Krenitsky, Hot Glass Studio Manager
“I wanted to be an illustrator, but didn’t like the influences from computers in the mid 90s and couldn’t see myself spending my career in front of a screen. I took glassblowing as an elective and never looked back.”
Geri Nonnewitz, Community Ambassador
“I’ve been pursuing art since I was in middle school. It wasn’t until undergrad that I focused on ink and water-based media because I found out I am deathly allergic to oil paint. And no, I am not allergic to any other oil-based media, just high-quality oil paints. I also started digital art in high school. If it’s 2D media I probably know how to use it.”
Jericho, Controller
“By accident! My mom’s friend had a daughter who wanted to take a dance class but was too shy to do it by herself, so I was forced to go with her. She quit after a few weeks and I made a career of it.”
Levi Landis, President & Executive Director
“My dad taught me Em chord to “Play with Fire” by Rolling Stones. It changed the makeup of my brain and I realized I could make anything, build anything, try anything, and the world would be better for what I had created.”
Want to hear more stories from our team?
Stay tuned for more from our “Staff Questions” series, where we dive into the creative journeys, inspirations, and dreams of some of the people who make GoggleWorks what it is today.