Today I got to sit down with Elaine Kessler a graduate of the Master’s in Creative Enterprise and Cultural Leadership Program at Arizona State University. She owns and operates Elaine Kessler Photography, a portrait and commercial studio based in Gilbert, AZ. Elaine also produces interactive art exhibits and is faculty for classes in the arts and in business for both graduate and undergraduate students. Today we talked about the community impact on cultural identity, the importance of support and context on a mental health journey, and even how community changes in terms of parenting, parenting choices, and the collaborative nature of parenting with partners. Listen in as Elaine shares her vision of connectedness, the importance of ambiguity and exploration as we identify our values and challenge our beliefs and what’s on her heart to create for women of color, business owners, and a community that she identifies with today. Elaine is passionate about exploring the art and intersectionality of identity and entrepreneurship and we discuss where community fits in and how art itself provides the safe space for building empathy and ultimately trust for sharing. I’m intrigued by Elaine’s life in the hyphen and her challenge of curiosity for curiosity’s sake - listen in as we dive into both in today’s conversation with Elaine.
