Meet Addison Cota | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Addison Cota and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Addison, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I am pursuing a creative career because I am inspired and driven by my passions in art, history, and exploring the many forms of artistic expression. I have always enjoyed creating art and refining my skills. My love for art has only deepened as I continue my college journey. An important moment was when I took a life and figure drawing class. I thought drawing the human form was so complex. However, stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing this challenge has allowed me to develop a new appreciation and love for it. I am grateful that I pushed myself to try something new, as it opened my eyes to an entirely different dimension of artistic expression. The moments of accomplishment and feeling good about your work makes everything worth it. Participating in ArtPrize was one of those moments that was so important to me. I love creating meaningful pieces of art that I know will mean so much to the person I am creating it for and seeing that is indispensable for me.

I am currently majoring in Art History, where I have the privilege of studying the stories and artistic movements throughout history. This field allows me to connect deeply with the past, understanding how art reflects culture and society. Recently, I added minors in Museum Studies and Studio Art. The decision to explore Museum Studies is an exciting new chapter, much like my experience with figure drawing; it’s an area that, I hope, will spark a new passion in me as I learn more. I find immense joy and fulfillment through studying both the history of art and creating my own work. The art world is so vast, ever-growing, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to immerse myself in it. I am continuously learning, creating, and discovering new aspects of this profound field.

I confidently lead my life by my passions, and there is no fault in that. These passions drive me forward, even in the face of skepticism. I know that a career in the arts can create opportunities, spark dialogue, and inspire positive change. I am determined to pursue what truly inspires me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey in the art field is always in a constant ebb and flow, full of growth and new experiences. I am very proud of the skills I have been developing, especially with my ArtPrize piece, which marked a significant milestone for me. I am also very excited to continue my education once I transfer colleges, particularly with my new focus on Museum Studies, which is such a new and exciting chapter in my journey.

Pursuing a passion and career in the arts always has its challenges. I have faced many doubts and skepticism, especially in the thoughts of practicality and the belief that opportunities in this field are very small. However, I truly believe that pursuing a career in the artistic and creative field is so valuable and also has such a great and lasting impact on the world. Regardless of doubts, I believe that art plays a crucial role in shaping society, preserving culture, and offering new perspectives. I am excited to continue my path, knowing the power that art has on the world.

The lessons I have learned have been important to me as an artist and an individual. The idea of being persistent and always trying again is important. Progress is not always immediate, and setbacks happen a ton. But I understand that growth happens through consistent effort and embracing challenges. An important part of the process is experimenting, failing, and trying again. Another important lesson I have learned is to try stepping outside my comfort zone. I had thought the human figure was so hard to draw, but after trying figure drawing classes, I found not only new skills but a deeper appreciation for the complexity and beauty that the human form has. Growth comes from tackling the things that may seem the hardest.

I want the world to know that I am always learning, evolving, and expressing myself through art. I am constantly exploring and pushing boundaries. I want my work to reflect the way art can both preserve culture and spark change. My journey is to learn more about myself, to be resilient, and have passion, and I really hope to inspire others to embrace their own creative paths and pursue their passions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The first activity to start the day off right is going to get fresh baked goods at The Wealthy Street Bakery and Nantucket Bakery. One of the top things on my list of fun things to do in Grand Rapids is exploring and enjoying the downtown area. There are so many things to do and events always going on that keep the city thriving. However, you can also get the best of both worlds by visiting Gaslight Village right on Reeds Lake which is a quaint and charming town. I always enjoy taking a nice stroll on their paved walking path and stopping by the small businesses. I enjoy going to Social Misfits to sit down for a good, sweet waffle, or Maru Sushi and Grill for some good sushi. Then, ending the night at the AMC, Phoenix, or Celebration Cinema movie theater is always a fun and favorite activity of mine. I always recommend the Frederik Meijer Garden and The Grand Rapids Art Museum for a great time and to see some amazing art. Grand Rapids also has some amazing history that can be found everywhere, even on a walk through neighborhoods. Lookout Point is a fun and nice place to end the day, watching the beautiful sunset of Grand Rapids.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my first shoutout to my sister, Shaylin, who has always been there to push me out of my comfort zone and is serving as an example to always put myself out there. She is a constant source of inspiration and is always guiding me with her creative and business knowledge. She is a wise and self-assured person that faces the world with such poise and grace. We recently collaborated on an ArtPrize piece that was such a special project, it has not only brought us closer as collaborators and creators, but closer sisters, as well.

I would also like to express my gratitude to a local scholarship, The Michael Wentworth Scholarship, held at the Iosco County Community Foundation. They have so generously been contributing to my college experience and aiding me in continuing my passions and what I love. The foundation is helping me work towards my artistic aspirations and I am eternally grateful to have the opportunity to learn and grow in my field. The scholarship will always have a special place in my heart.

Website: https://cotacreativemedia.com

Instagram: cota.addison

Image Credits
Shaylin Cota