My City September 2022

wants to express through her artwork. “It can be terrifying to admit that you have uncertainty concerning the way you’re going,” she admits. “But it’s also been very liberating because I have had the opportunity to try different things, really dig in deep to learn about artists I like and become more heavily involved with Flint’s artistic community. It’s been a rich experience that I know will serve me going forward.” Enjoying a career born of her love for art, McCoy is the gallery assistant and programs coordinator at the Mott Warsh Gallery in Downtown Flint. She is also vice president of the board of directors at Buck ham Gallery/Buckham Fine Arts Project. In addition, she teaches occasionally at the Art School at the Flint Institute of Arts.The artist has shown her work around the state, including Pontiac and Detroit, and her art is regularly on display at Buckham Gallery. “For a city of its size, Flint has so many places to view great works of art and be involved in making or learning about art,” Mc Coy notes. “If you are an

artist or if you just have an interest in art, I encourage and challenge you to seek out all of the art institu tions in your community and support them and be come more involved. You’ll learn some cool stuff, you’ll see unexpected things, and you’ll meet some interest ing people.” What does art mean to McCoy? “I think that at our core, we are all naturally creative beings,” she says. “I believe art is a way to work through and process your experiences and share them with the world, if you choose.” To learn more about relief printmaking, McCoy is teaching a class at FIA on Wednesday nights from 6-9pm, September 7 through November 9. To register, visit flintarts.org/ learn/news. Through September 17, McCoy’s work is on view at Buckham Gallery along with many other local artists for the exhibit entitled, “CAUTION: May Con tain Nudity. Recent Works by Donovan Entrekin & Friends.” For more informa tion, visit buckhamgallery. org. You can follow her on Instagram @janiceemccoy. ®

23