Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Hill.
Joy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always loved Art, everything about it. I love to create Art, sure, but I also love learning about Artists and new techniques and I love to share what I learn with others. I earned a Bachelor’s in Visual Art in 2004 and a Master’s in Education in 2009 from Elmira College in Elmira, NY. and have been teaching in one capacity or another (private lessons, volunteer lessons, and now public school) for about 17 years.
In November of 2019, my husband was killed in a car accident and just months later Covid surged sending us all into quarantine. I was lost, my kids were struggling, and yet over those months of quiet and isolation, things became clear. I wanted to have a place where people could find themselves, express themselves, and discover their deeper thoughts through Art. It is widely known that the creation of Art is a form of therapy. For some, it is the only way that they sort through the varied emotions they feel. In the months that have followed, the idea for Rainbow Trout Laboratory-An Art Utopia has began to form.
Rainbow Trout Laboratory is still a work in progress when fully realized it will be a myriad of things. The intent is for individuals to be able to experience art in many different ways. There will be classes for all ages, summer camps, Art shows showcasing local Artists, workshops year-round for adults, week-long Art retreats for adults, and even a little shop selling Art supplies and fun Art gifts.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The process has not been a smooth one. It has taken a good amount of time to assemble all of the people that I need to help me with this huge process. I have had to start again when people disappointed and didn’t follow through on what they’d promised. I’ve had to juggle planning, calls and meetings while also still working as a teacher and raising four kids on my own.
The raccoon didn’t help.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Rainbow Trout Laboratory is not a scientific lab (well, maybe occasionally), we chose to add laboratory because there will be experimenting and learning going on there all the time. We will have Art shows for local artists, Art classes for all ages, summer Art camps, Art retreats at various times throughout the year for adults, Art workshops throughout the year for kids and adults, and an Art shop.
What will set us apart from others is our view on Art as a necessity for life. There will be opportunities for kids to be able to express what’s going on in their hearts without fear of judgment. There will be an opportunity for women to come together for a week of sharing and Art-making. There will be a sense of community when people from all over town come to see an Art opening for a local Artist or a student’s show from a local high school. That sense of community, of belonging to a space and a group of people, is what will set us apart.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe that our strong vision is essential to success. We have this desire to create a space that enfolds people, gives them a sense of belonging. We want people to feel comfortable and to bring out the best in them as they express what’s in their hearts and souls. We have a vision of a space where people feel they have come home.
Contact Info:
- Email: rainbowtroutlaboratory@gmail.com
- Instagram: rainbow_trout_laboratory
Image Credits
Mollie Hill Studio
Joy Hill
