The Quad City Arts team is growing and we are happy to welcome to our team the new Festival of Trees Administrator! Kim is a ball of energy and she's so passionate about Festival of Trees. You'll be seeing lots of her at this year's festival. Kim comes to us from Eldridge Preschool, she has over a decade of teaching experience and can keep a classroom on track! She'll be keeping Festival of Trees moving forward at a steady pace. Are you a Quad Cities native? What brought you to the Quad Cities? Born and raised here. Grew up in Dixon, Iowa. Lived here my entire life. Graduated from St. Ambrose University. Go Fighting Bees! What is your biggest achievement/goal/moment of success to date – personal or professional? Personally, I have been plant based for many years. Trying to do my part to save the world! Professionally, exposed an entire decade of preschoolers to the world of veganism. How did you first learn about Quad City Arts? I was looking for a new chapter in my work life and found this incredibly cool job with cool people! So happy to be a part of this team of talented and interesting humans. What are you most excited for in your role at Quad City Arts? Seeing behind the curtain. Watching this group of dedicated volunteers bring together one of the most exciting and beloved QCA event! It is amazing to experience all that goes into the festival. I am in awe! What is your favorite arts experience in the Quad Cities? Blues Fest. My husband and I are lifelong members of the Quad City Blues Society. What is your favorite arts experience outside of the Quad Cities? Laumeier Sculpture Park in Kirkwood, Missouri. It is an incredible space. We stumbled on it one year and we go back every summer and spend a morning. My son knows that when the end comes for me, he is to dedicate a bench or a bird feeder in my name, so I can always be a part of this park. Who is your favorite artist? (This can be any artist – visual, performing, etc.) Michelangelo. I did a paper on him in college and was intrigued by his story. I have been lucky enough to see some of his work. The David is everything you would expect and more. The Sistine Chapel was awe inspiring. What is one thing that might surprise people about you? I ran a half marathon and didn’t pass out. I did get lapped by the full marathon winner. Exhilarating and humbling all at the same time. What are you currently watching on Netflix or TV? My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman. Love that David Letterman. Star Wars or Star Trek? Star Wars, though Star Trek is epic. I had a small crush on Captain Kirk, but Star Wars is my families jam! Where is the best pizza in the Quad Cities (or where you are from)? Lopiez, not only is the pizza superb, but the experience of dining or carrying out from their downtown location is a great and super interesting experience. I recommend the Mayor. Best darn pizza in town. What is your favorite book? Alas Babylon by Pat Frank. I tend to be a little on the fatalistic side, so this book dovetailed well into my slightly off psyche. Where is your go-to place for inspiration? Treadmill. There is nothing like clearing the cobwebs with an hour of sweating. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I would love to run a farm sanctuary. But to be honest, the only way this would work is if I would win the lottery. I have been told by the lovely couple who run the Iowa Farm Sanctuary in Marengo, Iowa, that the charitable farm life is not for everyone. Money absolutely makes a difference. It can not run on love and good will. If you could have a drink with any artist living or dead, who would it be? Orson Wells. Every college kid that watched Citizen Kane in their film class can agree…Orson Wells is the man! Next time you seem Kim around, stop by and give her a warm welcome! 🎄We're so glad she's on team Festival!🎄 The Quad City Arts team is growing and we are happy to welcome to our group a new Gallery Assistant, Abi Kongkousonh! Abi is a hidden jewel, she's an incredible illustrator and artist, she blew us away with her portfolio. Not only is she a talented artist, she in an experienced data entry processor and will be helping us with some pretty large projects this summer. You will be seeing Abi greet you at the front desk of the gallery, so don't be shy and say hello! Are you a Quad Cities native? What brought you to the Quad Cities? Yes! I was born in Davenport, and I have lived in East Moline my whole life. My mom is also a QC native, and my dad and his family have lived here since the 80s after they immigrated from Laos. What is your biggest achievement/goal/moment of success to date – personal or professional? I think it was getting into the Lockdown show here at QC Arts this past fall. That was the first show I applied for by myself, and I was so proud to be a part of such a great show. How did you first learn about Quad City Arts? In 2019 I saw someone on Facebook share a post about Chalkfest, which I entered just for fun. Then I just kept up with Quad City Arts news. I was in the Lockdown show in 2021 and have attended Riverssance and Festival of Trees. When a job position opened up, I felt like I would be a good fit. What are you most excited for in your role at Quad City Arts? I am most excited to see the talent we have locally up and close! What is your favorite arts experience in the Quad Cities? I love musical theater, and the QC has quite a few community theaters. I think my favorite show was Mary Poppins at the Music Guild a few years ago, but I try to go to as many shows as I can. What is your favorite arts experience outside of the Quad Cities? I went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art a few years back. At the time they were hosting a traveling exhibit of Impressionist artworks so I got to see several Monet and Degas pieces. I think I was pissing off the security team off--I was standing so close to the artwork trying to take it all in. Who is your favorite artist? (This can be any artist – visual, performing, etc.) Just one? Greta Gerwig is an artist I look up to. Her work in Frances Ha was incredibly impactful on me, and her directorial roles in Lady Bird and Little Women were extraordinary. What is one thing that might surprise people about you? I have never been on a roller coaster, and I don't really like amusement parks. It's too hot. I don't like the food. I get sick on the rides. I like to say I was born to be mild. This wouldn't be a true questionnaire without throwing a few questions in from our Seven With Kevin Series! What are you currently watching on Netflix or TV? I just finished re-watching the Umbrella Academy and now I'm starting Shtisel, a show about an ultra Orthodox Jewish community. Star Wars or Star Trek? I don't want my nerd card revoked, but I don't love either. When it comes to epic space sci-fi, I'm almost exclusively a Doctor Who girl. In terms of nostalgia, I could go with Star Wars though. My brother and I used to hit each other with plastic lightsabers in our backyard and play Lego Star Wars the video game on the Wii. Where is the best pizza in the Quad Cities (or where you are from)? Fields of Pizza is my go-to, but honestly is there such a thing as bad pizza?? What is your favorite book? I'm a huge reader so this is impossible. Today, I'll go with Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Where is your go-to place for inspiration? I have a huge box of old magazines, receipts, and collage paper in a spare room at home. Whenever I need inspiration I like making something nonsensical with those junk supplies. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I'd be a super good librarian. If you could have a drink with any artist living or dead who would it be?
Makoto Fujimura is an American artist with a Swedish and Japanese ethnic background, which is similar to mine. He believes in slow living and culture care through art. I'd love to pick his brain. When you see Abi around, make sure to say hello! We're so lucky to have such a talented new artist on our team! |
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