Graduate School and the Self-Employed Artist: Columbia College Chicago Panel Discussion
Graduate School and the Self-Employed Artist: Columbia College Chicago Panel Discussion
Are you curious about graduate studies? Have you wondered if graduate school would provide you with a competitive edge in managing your career as an artist or entrepreneur? In this multidisciplinary graduate student panel you will find out more about the ins and outs of the creative graduate school experience—from deciding if graduate school is right for you to the impact of the advanced degree on building your artistic practice or business. Hear firsthand from current Columbia College Chicago students and recent alumni about their decision to return to school and how they’ve used this time to lay the foundation for their career after graduation. Panelists include: Chelsea Noelle Fetherli, Abbi Manoucheri, Cruel Valentine, and Patoya Marie Cobbs
About the panelists:
Patoya Marie Cobbs is the founder and CEO of Love Happy LLC, stationed in the greeting card industry, she creates products with words of sentiments and expressions for the LGBTQ community. Patoya (pronouns are she/her/hers) is a feminine lesbian who was born and raised in San Diego, CA- she recently relocated to Orland Park, IL. Patoya, received her Bachelor of Arts in journalism with a specialization in advertising and marketing at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is currently working towards her Masters in Entrepreneurship at Columbia College Chicago. Patoya spent able time working and perfecting her skills as a greeting card artist and an independent business owner. She is acting writer, creative director, visionary, and overseer of the company.
Chelsea Noelle Fetherlin is a Pittsburgh-native, feminist, and mixed media artist whose work is centered on women’s health. Her works include books, zines, photography, ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, printmaking, assemblage and other combinations of traditional and experimental techniques. Focusing on her experience as a woman living with chronic illness and brain injury, she educates and empowers others to take charge of their own health by embracing, researching, understanding, and normalizing talking about their lived experiences.
Abbi Manoucheri is an actor, director, and playwright, who has worked with Willamette University Theatre Company, the Wyoming Theatre Festival, and the True Acting Institute and has experience in Devising, Japanese Noh and Kyogen theatre, Buto, and the Meisner and Michael Chekov acting techniques. Her writing credits include her plays Sincerely, Johanna, Lipstick: A Feminist Play, and her solo performance What, and Leave Showbusiness? which premiered in Salem, Oregon in 2017. She specializes in teaching the Meisner acting technique and has made a career of acting using this method and teaching it through her directing work and actor coaching across the United States.
Known as “Chicago’s Own Community Chest”, Cruel Valentine is an award-winning, international burlesque entertainer, adult film performer, dominatrix, actor, dancer, writer, and artist. Valentine began performing the art of burlesque in 2007. Since then, they have spent the past several years performing their way across the nation and abroad, racking up multiple awards and honors. Valentine is an independent performer, producer, and teacher of burlesque, as well as an adult performer with The Lust Garden, featured on Pink Label. Most recently, their acclaimed erotic film, "Mirror, Mirror", won the award for Best Solo at the Unholy Fans Black Queer Porn festival, presented by Strapped Toronto. CruelValentine.com is your go-to for all things Valentine, including a line of pasties and other titillating burlesque accessories. In addition to touring and teaching privately, Valentine has worked as a board member with several Chicago performance art organizations, as well as offering business consulting services to alternative, creative, and adult companies. They hold a BA in musical theatre performance and will soon hold an MA in arts management from Columbia College Chicago, where they are also a teaching assistant. Valentine also holds a professional certificate in diversity & inclusion from Cornell University. Their teaching credits include various educational and speaking engagements both domestically and abroad, including workshops at the collegiate level at several of the nation's major universities, covering a wide range of topics including dance instruction, higher education, business, sexual health, sex worker rights, and more. With extensive experience in theatre, music, and dance, Cruel Valentine is a triple threat and then some, fusing multiple styles in their performances. A dedicated storyteller, they are never afraid to go there or to make a mess with their art. For booking, press, or other inquiries, please contact info@CruelValentine.com.