We’re looking forward to introducing you to Frank Juárez. Check out our conversation below.
Frank, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
I have stood up for students and artists in the past and continue to do so today. In my experience, artists tend to be taken advantage of. You might have seen, heard, or read about artists being solicited for art donations for a fundraiser and guaranteed exposure. As the saying goes, exposure does not pay the bills. How about an artist being commissioned for a work of art, only to find out that the last payment is delayed for no apparent reason? Or a muralist’s work being used for financial gain without the consent of the artist or even compensation.
Advocacy is one of the most effective ways to address those difficult conversations. Advocacy begins with the artists. Standing up for what is right is the best course of action to hold others accountable.
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell them a bit about what you do, your brand or organization and what makes it interesting/special/unique or anything else you’d like them to know about you / your story /your brand and what you are working on / etc.
I am an award-winning art educator, curator, artist, and arts advocate based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. I am known for my commitment to art education, elevating contemporary art, and supporting Wisconsin artists. I have spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the Midwest Artist Studios Project and the 365 Artists 365 Days Project. In addition to my roles as publisher of Artdose magazine and editor-in-chief of SchoolArts magazine, I curate exhibitions and jury art shows throughout the Midwest. My dedication to these fields has earned me numerous accolades, making me a pivotal figure in Wisconsin’s art community. In addition to these roles, I am the Art Department Chair at Sheboygan North High School, Chair of the National Art Education Foundation (NAEF), board member of the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, and committee member of the Carroll University Wisconsin Art Collection Advisory Board.
My values and experiences are strongly embedded in the work I do in art education, the art world, and the non-profit world, shaping me into who I am today – someone who champions the arts, education, and believes everyone deserves to be successful.
What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
From 2008 – 2010, I participated in a program called TICA (Teacher Institute in Contemporary Art), founded by Phil Baranowski. TICA was such an impactful program that provided the space for high school art educators to get back into the studio. Throughout the week-long program, educators met contemporary artists, Richard Tuttle, Charlene Von Heyl, the late Thomas Nozkowski, Amanda Ross Ho, Matthew Ritchie, Mark Dion, and Michiko Itatani, to name a few. These visits resulted in 1-to-1 critique sessions during our studio time. Having access to this caliber of artists was life-changing in so many ways. TICA gained the interest of art educators from across the country, who wanted to be a part of this special art experience.
TICA opened my eyes to the world of possibilities and opportunities. It was through this program that I realized that there is more to life than teaching. Ultimately, it sparked my curiosity. Programs like this are vital to the work we do as art educators. Creating a space where we can express ourselves without the distraction of life is one of the best ways to experience the world through a different lens – a creative professional development for the soul.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In 2011, I opened EFFJAY PROJECTS (later became the Frank Juárez Gallery) in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The premise of this gallery was to show contemporary art in a community that was known for local traditional art. Having had a couple of years of gallery experience, I felt confident to run my own art gallery. Little did I know that it was more difficult than I imagined. The financial stress became unbearable. When I filed my taxes and saw the numbers that first year, I immediately wanted to give up. I understand that running a small business takes work, commitment, and resources, and a profit is necessary to stay in business, but I entered it with the wrong mindset.
Rather than giving up, I used this as a learning experience. Asking myself, “What have I learned, what will I do differently, and how will I move forward?” This presented a path for exploration and reflection—every opportunity allowed for continual assessment and growth. Being honest with myself led to creating a foundation that has sustained through multiple obstacles and challenges. In 2017, I relocated the Frank Juárez Gallery to the Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which I closed in 2019. This time, I knew deep down in my heart that I was no longer into it. I wanted to invest my time, resources, and energy into nurturing something else that I started in 2013 – Artdose magazine.
What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I created Artdose in 2013. Back then, it was a quarterly art guide that promoted the visual arts in Sheboygan. After a couple of years, it expanded to Sheboygan County and shortly afterwards, throughout the state of Wisconsin. The publication underwent its fair share of iterations before becoming what it is today, Artdose magazine (2019). In 2023, it expanded regionally to Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. We are projecting another expansion in 2028. This upcoming milestone will celebrate our 15th year as a Midwest art magazine.
Artdose encompasses everything that I believe in – education, advocacy, community, and the power of art. The original mission was to connect and support the visual arts in Wisconsin. Today, that mission includes bringing diverse and underrepresented voices to the table. This has resulted in designing new initiatives, increasing collaborations, and building partnerships.
In 2032, I am planning on retiring from teaching. My retirement will smoothly transition into running Artdose full-time. I would love to see more art in person, attend more exhibitions and events, travel, and present at conferences, etc. Being active helps maintain the momentum needed to keep this publication going.
What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I love this question! This reminds me of when I read The Artist’s Guide by Jackie Battenfield. In her book, she had a variety of exercises that encouraged readers to reflect on what it means to be an artist. One of the exercises was to write an obituary. At first, I thought it was weird to think about death in my early 30s. Then, I realized that it was the perfect time to carve the path I want my life to lead.
I started to think about other aspects of what it means to live a life in art. This piqued my curiosity. There is the business side of art, curation, writing, creating, selling, and so on. Not having a background in business or arts management did not stop me from experimenting, learning, failing, and taking risks, both big and small. The way I learn is to dive headfirst into the unknown and figure things out along the way. In my 30s, I would say yes to every possible opportunity. Twenty years later, I can be selective and refocus my energy elsewhere. This has allowed me the freedom and space to share my experiences, resources, and time with others. I want to see others succeed by following their passion – whatever it may be.
Following my passion and pouring everything I have into it has been rewarding on so many levels. I have learned that there are no shortcuts to success. Success must be earned. By sharing that success, one can have an impact on someone else’s life. Building and maintaining professional relationships have been key to my personal and professional growth.
I would like to be remembered as someone who truly cared about others, wanting them to find that special thing that brings ‘joy’ in their lives, and knowing that they are not alone in their journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artdosemagazine.com, https://frankjuarez.net
- Instagram: @artdosemagazineweekly, @artdosemagazine
Image Credits
Photo credits: Frank Juárez, Dannielle Arneson, and Rachel Hausmann Schall.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
