Meet Jean Blackwell Font: Visual Artist & Arts Marketer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jean Blackwell Font and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jean, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
We started Warehouse 4726 because, like other artists, we needed studio space. Trying to make work in our home, with children and the duties that come with a family, really didn’t leave space for art supplies and art work. Iggy was painting outside after the kids went to bed, hanging canvases on a hook on the side of the house. I wasn’t really doing much artwork at all with 5 kids in our 1200 square foot home. The arts marketing company Font Squared came soon after, as a way to help artists like us develop a more professional image. I have years of business experience that I am using to develop our own company while helping others in our community. It was a natural transition to begin sharing my knowledge and skills, along with my husband’s design and aesthetics, to offer website design, email marketing, and social media campaigns for artists. Finally, the COVID-19 quarantine that began in March 2020 really started the process, for everyone I think, we all started thinking about our own mortality and about the importance of life, of the people and priorities that are most important to us. Then in July 2020 I suffered of traumatic fall, A life-changing kind of fall that left me with a brain injury and meant I was unable to do the kind of work I was used to doing, for at least a year or two. As I write the answer to this question, I am still in it in fact. I’m still dealing with it and still considering what my life is going to be like on the other side of my recovery. It has me thinking about my values, about what is it is important in life and I know that it’s not working from morning till night doing things that aren’t really aligned with your values. I know that it’s about building community, helping artists, creatives, and organizations that are making a difference in the world. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a position that has allowed me to do some of this, but I know there is so much more that I can do. It’s about creating joy and positive energy. The last few months, I have thought a lot about why we started the company. This question is not some thing I am answering for the first time. It’s something that I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about actually. When artists get into the studio, they make a difference in the world. Font Squared was created so that we can help artists to get into the studio. It’s all about being in the studio.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As the co-founder of an arts marketing company and an artist studio space, I am 1/2 of a pair of crazy artists. My husband and I both have dreams of being in the studio all day, every day. We understand what it means to be able to make work, whether it sells or not is besides the point. We know that artists need to be in the studio, and that is why we provide the services that we do for the artists in our community. We are constantly expanding the edges of our community to include more and more artists. Our studios currently house nine artists, and our marketing clients include dancers and writers and painters and creatives that use their talents to heal. We know that art can heal and bring joy — both for the artist and for the viewer or recipient. The work we do stands out because we understand our niche target industry, the artist and creative. We understand they would rather be creating, instead of creating a campaign to promote their next show or their next book launch. We understand the language that is needed for marketing and we keep up with things like SEO, Google Analytics, and Social Media trends, so the artist can focus on the work. We know what it means to sell an artwork that you’ve labored over for weeks, months, or years, but selling it means you can pay the rent and so it is a necessity. Ultimately, we know that being in the studio is everything. This is what makes Font Squared unique. We’re not an arts marketing company to be a marketing company. We are artists first, we just happen to have years of experience, certification, and awards doing those other things too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Miami – Rubell Museum – Margulies Collection – Laundromat Art – Fountainhead Studios Bird Road Art District – Warehouse 4726 – Lincoln’s Beard Coconut Grove – Atchana’s Blackpoint Marina

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Rosie Gordon-Wallace of Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator deserves a shout out. She has spent 25 years supporting artists in the global south. She has dedicated her time and energy to more than 1800 artists across the Caribbean and Latin America and is beginning to get some recognition. If it weren’t for her, warehouse 4726 might not even exist. She knew we had a dream and she invited us to partner with her in the studio almost 4 years ago, and together we are embarked on an adventure. Rosie is not in our studio space anymore, but she remains a star supporter and friend and continues to encourage us to grow.

Website: https://warehouse4726.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/warehouse4726
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbfont
Facebook: Facebook.com/Warehouse4726

Image Credits
Both taken by Jean Blackwell Font