We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Adrian Ferguson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Adrian, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Music is a huge source of creativity for me, so I collect vinyl records. I like to go to local record stores and thumb threw their collection. Often times I buy records from artists I’ve never heard of and take them home and listen. In addition to discovering great music, I research these artists, how they got started, who they were discovered by, their inspiration behind songs and titles, and it gives me fresh ideas for exhibitions and events.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
What is Art Of Noize?
Art Of Noize is an art and event space that provides artists a place to showcase their talents in an intimate setting. We utilize our walls as gallery space for emerging and established Artists. We change exhibitions regularly and assist Artists with selling work to collectors and enthusiasts.
In addition to exhibiting and selling artwork, patrons rent our space for things such as:
Rehearsals
Seminar / Class
Auditions
Private Screenings
Photo / Film / Video Shoot
Readings
Meetings / Workshops
Performances
Patrons and organizations also utilize our space for parties and various private events.
Rates vary based on the nature of the event, and quotes can be obtained on our website at: https://www.artofnoizedmv.com/rentals
What sets Art Of Noize apart is that we accommodate a variety of disciplines, whereas traditional spaces limit themselves to one. Artists of all disciplines are moving away from the traditional spaces and are seeking more eccentric, intimate, and affordable spaces to create, collaborate, perform or showcase.
I was recently recognized in the June 2023 issue of the Washingtonian “Black Art In DC: Our Guide to 100 Years of Innovated and Enduring Work”
Additionally, we have a monthly open mic event we do here for poets, instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, and anyone willing to share their art. “Sessions” is a space where artists are encouraged to expand the boundaries of their own expression, and perform with artists they normally wouldn’t, and play, sing, rap, or dance as if no one is watching. Participants either perform alongside a DJ or a live band.
More information about our open mic event can be found at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sessions-tickets-593387476917?aff=oddtdtcreator.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey are my resilience, my vision, and my inquisitiveness.
My advice to people early in their journey is, understand that business ebbs and flows. Things will not always go as planned, and you have to know when and how to pivot. Your focus will evolve, but don’t ever lose sight of your vision and remember the reasons why you started this journey. Get in the habit of writing things down. Be mindful of who you share it with, and how much information you share.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
one of the many nuggets of wisdom I got was persistence is insurance against failure.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artofnoizedmv.com
- Instagram: @artofnoizedmv
- Facebook: Art Of Noize
- Twitter: @artofnoizedmv17
- Youtube: Art of Noize
Image Credits
Art Of Noize
