Meet Janice Bond
Janice is a multidisciplinary curator, strategist, and advisor who specializes in arts and culture development and programming. As a visual/multimedia artist, her photography, minimalist paintings, installations, and soundscapes are inspired by the multidimensional terrain of human perspectives and identity, sacred geometry, sound frequencies, and indigenous fractal patterns found in various cultures and urban landscapes. It is this textured and chromatic tapestry of art making and administration that continues to influence and illuminate her each day.
Q+A
What do you know for sure?
That I don't know everything and I never will.
What is your first (or best) memory?
I have many great memories, but I remember fondly the first time I went to the beach in Dakar. I never wanted to leave.
What is your favorite place to travel to?
Dakar, Senegal
What don't people know about you?
Quite a bit. It'll probably always be that way.
What do you think about when you are alone?
What Grace Jones's art and record collection must be like.
What makes you laugh?
People who don't laugh.
What do you believe?
I believe that you must build and rebuild (when necessary) trust within before seeking it anywhere else. Even if you didn't make the best decision somewhere, trust that you will learn from it. Trust that you can use hardships to manifest change and possibly help someone else through a tough time some day. Trust that you have everything within you to be whoever you want and do what you need to get there. Trust that you are willing to do the work. Trust that within all of this, you will remember to be kind and loving to yourself and set the example for others to follow suit.
Who do you admire?
My brother. He's a father of two, post grad, engineer for NASA (after leaving Intel) at just 28. Dude is brilliant.
If we came over for dinner what would you prepare for us?
Pan seared spicy collards with cayenne and lemon; jeweled potatoes, grilled mushrooms and smoked gouda polenta. We'd have tea and raspberry gelato as well.
A little known fact about yourself?
I can ride a horse and do needlepoint.
Who is your favorite character? (tv, literary, whatever)
Matilda.
If you had to change careers what would you want to do?
Become a linguist and write books on disappearing languages.
What do you suck at?
Special handshakes.
What is your hidden talent?
I play the theremin.
What do you geek out about?
Fractals and cellular memory (trees, crystals, large bodies of water).
Who helped get you here?
Too many to name, some more directly than others. I am in a constant state of gratitude, I'm always thinking about what I'll do for all of the people who have supported me through the years someday, I have some fun ideas. What keeps me here are my children. I want my girls to continue to live an in inspiring and informed life full of art, culture, and great people who love them.
What is the world missing?
True connection. Seeing everyone besides yourself as "the other" is both false and not sustainable. We all affect each other's lives, in some instances just more directly than others.
What gets you through a rough day?
I have a mantra, "This is life, life is good. NO exceptions." I think it may have revealed itself to me during a difficult time, and just rang so true. I've been blessed enough to have "the best day of my life" a few times, I do my best to remember that when life has its challenges.
What’s your craziest idea?
To move to Chicago. It also ended up being one of the best ideas I've ever had.
What new thing have you learned lately?
Printmaking.
Where do you go for inspiration?
Anywhere nature or art is taking up more space than humans.
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Photo Credit: Jamie Kelter Davis Photography