PM: Tell Us Your Name, Job Title at Goggleworks, And How Long Have You Been with Goggleworks?
JF: My name is Jesse Futter; I am the Marketing Director at the GoogleWorks, and I have been with them for two years.
PM: How Did the Community You Were Raised in Shape Your Perspective on Art and Creativity?
JF: I grew up in a very artistic and accepting household. My mother was an artist-in-resident for the schools in my area and my grandmother on my father’s side was also a very talented artist. The two of them were always putting different materials in front of me and just letting me explore. I spent a lot of my childhood exploring my emotions through art. As I was struggling with accepting being gay in my youth, art was a way to have those silent conversations with myself in an expressive way. If I think about it, art saved my life more times than I can count.
PM: In What Ways Has the Landscape or Environment of Your Home Influenced You to Work in The Arts?
JF: Art is a gift you can share. My mother was always using art to connect with the community which taught me the importance of art at an early age. Art has the power to transform lives and spark meaningful conversations. Being surrounded by the arts has pulled me out of some devastating times in my life. Artistic environments feel safe and familiar to me.
PM: How Do You Handle Creative Block & Stay Inspired?
JF: Over the years I had a falling out with my creativity. I started working office jobs and turned my back on art. It wasn’t until I started working at GoggleWorks that I started making art again. I worked at the front desk for a whole year until I got the Marketing Director position. Since being hired in 2022 I have been in two art exhibitions, taken various classes, and have found creativity again. GoggleWorks always has something going on in all the different studios and spaces. You can walk in any day and explore the building for free. It feels like home. I knew from the first time I entered the building that GoggleWorks was magical. It is hard not to be inspired when you are here.
Rosa J. Parra
Founder & Editor
Palo Magazine
