Chris Supports The ARTS Council!

My name is Chris Walters. I’m the Executive Director here at The ARTS Council.

I’m also a photographer and it’s in a member show, well over a dozen years ago, that I first exhibited my work publicly.

Before that I never considered myself an artist let alone thought that anyone besides family and close friends would ever be interested in seeing my photographs.

After a few months at The ARTS Council, I nervously took the plunge and exhibited in a member show. I can immediately recall the angst and nervousness I felt of not having professional enough frames or wondering if I chose the right photos or that anyone would even bay an eye. My imposter syndrome was on full display.

But something wonderful happened. People reacted positively. I exhibited in another member show. I started submitted to juried shows. I got invited to hold my first solo show and then others after that. I got commissions and people would license my work. And I started initiating my own photography project funded through state grants.

None of that would have been possible without an ARTS Council member show. It gave me the opportunity, access, and confidence to exhibit as a professional artist, and more importantly, the belief that I belonged.

Without The ARTS Council’s member shows I quite simply wouldn’t be where I am today.

We’re proud of this space we’ve created, a place of belonging and community, a space that welcomes all and gives artists of all walks of life the opportunity to be seen and heard.

For this year’s FLX Gives, please help support the next generation of artists and lay a new foundation for voices yet to come.