For students exploring creative careers, firsthand insight from professionals can be invaluable. CultureWorks’ Visiting Artist Series offers an opportunity to meet industry experts and learn about career pathways in art and design.
The series recently launched with a packed studio as CultureWorks hosted a graphic design panel on Jan. 30. This event, the first in the Career Exploration Panels lineup, aimed to increase awareness of career opportunities across various art and design fields.
The panel featured industry professionals, including:
- Blake Johnson, in-house graphic designer and screen printer for Silkscreen Marketing at Hope College.
- Mariah Slenk, founder and principal designer of Spark Creative and in-house graphic designer for Trinity Trolls.
- Allyse Karam, art director for Amazon Publish — Germany & UK Titles.
- Jamie Phonhthalyhane, in-house graphic designer for ODL and newly hired graphic design and marketing assistant for CultureWorks.
As a returning alum of the program, Phonhthalyhane credits CultureWorks with helping to prepare both her and her parents for her career in the arts.
The Career Exploration Panels are part of the Visiting Artist Series, designed to introduce middle and high school students and their families to a range of artistic careers by connecting them with professionals from diverse backgrounds. Future panels will explore career paths in illustration, photography, product design, engineering design, costume and set design, and film and video production.
Through these events, students gain exposure to creative career opportunities, meet role models with similar racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic backgrounds, and connect with local job and internship opportunities.
The series is made possible through funding from the MillerKnoll Foundation.
The Lakeshore connected with Emily Christensen, CultureWorks’ executive director, for a Q&A about the Visiting Artist Series and its mission.
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Courtesy CultureWorksCourtesy CultureWorks Executive Director Emily Christensen speaks at a recent event.The Lakeshore: Can you share more about CultureWorks' mission and how it guides the programs and opportunities offered to students?
Emily Christensen: Our mission is to cultivate creativity, build community, and empower students through affordable, accessible art programs. These opportunities include after-school and summer classes, workshops, field trips, and special events, all designed to inspire artistic exploration and personal growth.
Our classes cultivate creativity by emphasizing the creative process rather than just the final product, encouraging experimentation and problem-solving. We serve a diverse community, ranging from students enrolled in IB and AP art programs to those recommended by counselors, therapists, or partner organizations who need a safe space to grow. We employ working artists and provide access to industry-standard tools, spanning hands-on mediums like ceramics to digital arts.
We build community by prioritizing youth-adult and peer-peer relationships while also engaging with the broader community. This spring, we are collaborating with I Am Academy to offer free workshops that will create artwork for a Juneteenth exhibit and celebration. Additionally, our Student Advisory Council is designing 10-15 banners celebrating diversity for downtown Holland in partnership with the Holland Area Arts Council. These initiatives foster a sense of belonging while giving students the chance to contribute to public art projects.
Many of our students consider CultureWorks a second home, remaining with us throughout middle and high school before returning as volunteers, teachers, interns, staff, and even board members. These former students all benefited from our pay-what-you-can registration model and free transportation program.
Over the past 14 years, our students have faced significant challenges, including parental incarceration, food scarcity, poverty, chronic illness, and the loss of a parent. Yet, through CultureWorks, they found stability, mentorship, and opportunities to develop their talents and pursue creative careers.Headline: CultureWorks inspires students through Visiting Artist Series.
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Courtesy CultureWorksCultureWorks staff.
TL: The recent Graphic Design Panel was a great success, drawing a packed studio. What impact did the event have on students, and what were some key takeaways?
EC: The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with new students, parents, community members, and potential interns. One immediate impact was an application we received for a summer internship from a Careerline Tech graphic design student who attended the panel.
The discussion highlighted the diverse career paths within graphic design. The field offers opportunities in corporate settings, freelance work, and agency roles, with specialization options in such areas as illustration, logo design, and web development. Each path aligns with different skill sets and personalities, allowing individuals to carve out careers that best suit their strengths and interests.
Additionally, the panel emphasized that there is no single pathway into graphic design. While many skills can be self-taught — helping individuals avoid educational debt — formal design programs provide valuable training in communication and technical expertise, equipping students with industry-standard knowledge.
Finally, strong communication emerged as a crucial skill. Whether articulating design decisions to clients or collaborating effectively with a team, the ability to convey ideas clearly and persuasively is essential in building a thriving career.
TL: How do the Career Exploration Panels and the larger Visiting Artist Series contribute to CultureWorks’ goal of exposing students to a diverse range of artistic careers?
EC: Over 14-plus years, we’ve observed that students from traditionally underrepresented communities are less likely to pursue careers in art or design. This is often because they (or their parents) have never met professionals who share their backgrounds, or because their parents, like Jamie’s, are skeptical about the financial stability of creative careers.
By exposing students and families to a wide range of artistic professions, we help them connect with successful local professionals and envision themselves in these roles, expanding their career options and opportunities.
TL: What future programming or events are on the horizon for CultureWorks?
EC: Exciting opportunities are coming up at CultureWorks, beginning with our next nine-week session of spring classes starting Feb. 25. (
View flyer here.) Midway through the semester, students will participate in a workshop led by our artist in residence, Jaer Medina, where they will create artwork for an end-of-semester exhibit. We hope to collaborate with LAUP to establish this as an annual event, showcasing both the artist in residence and student work.
TL: What are some ways community members, local artists, or businesses can support CultureWorks?
EC: Community members can follow @thecultureworks on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated, volunteer as a board or committee member, or assist in a class or workshop.
Additionally, helping at community-wide summer events such as LAUP Fiesta, Juneteenth, Macatawa Water Festival, Pride Festival, and the International Festival is a great way to engage with students and the broader arts community.
Another crucial need is support for our free transportation program. We’ve raised $15,000 of our $30,000 goal and hope to purchase a van by May, as staff currently use personal vehicles to transport students.