Meet Erica Mohan | Artist & Grants/Arts Administrator

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

Hi Erica, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?

I’ve been making art since I was little growing up in Canada and Florida. I used to love those art kits where you can explore different mediums like stained glass, crocheting, etc. I didn’t take it all that seriously until I got to high school. My teacher Brooke Anderson at Marjory Stoneman Douglas taught me about the importance of getting out of your comfort zone as an artist. She really changed my understanding of what art was to me. When I went to university the first year my major was in environmental science but in my second year, I started to take art classes again and remembered all the reasons why I fell in love with art to begin with. From there I pivoted my career and pursued a degree in painting.

Creating art was always something that I was drawn to and found solace in growing up. Its become a way for me to derive meaning and understanding of how I perceive the world. Its hard to explain but it feels similar to a language. The act of trying to interpret or understand that language is like trying to communicate something I feel or experience. I always knew this path would be difficult to pursue, but that’s exactly what makes it worthwhile. The challenge of pursuing art long term feels like a wonderful way of exploring life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My work in college was related to my martial arts training. Since then, I’ve had three knee surgeries and have had to abandon that part of my life. I am still drawn to many aspects of the work but its been interesting rediscovering what I identify with.

More recently, I’ve been exploring work related to my ancestry. I am from Toronto, Canada but both of my parents are from third world countries. My father is from Guyana and my mother from Kenya. Learning more about my parents and their experiences growing up in those countries has vastly influenced my work. It’s something I want to be closer with, understanding my roots. I am ultimately very excited to see how this work evolves.

Professionally, I think I found myself meeting the right people at the right times. My professor at FAU, Carol Prusa was the one who recommended me for the Girls’ Club (GC) Collection fellowship back in 2014. From there, I met so many people and made sure to maintain connections with as many as I could. At GC I learned a lot about Arts Administration and had a better understanding of what it means to work in a gallery setting. In December of 2014, I met Asif Farooq and he told me about the life-sized soviet fighter jet he was making (a MiG-21) out of paper. I had seen Asif’s work before and his craftsmanship blew me away. Having graduated with a degree in painting, I knew nothing about how to build. I asked Asif that night if he was hiring and he said no, then I asked if he was accepting volunteers and he said no, then I asked if he could teach me and I’d pay him so I could learn how to build things. That must’ve shocked him because lo and behold he agreed to give me a shot. Working with Asif was amazing and to this day has been one of my favorite jobs, learning how to build and reverse engineer an airplane, utilizing a material I never thought could be manipulated to such lengths.

Three years later I used my connections from GC and ended up working at the Broward County Cultural Division as a Project Manager in their Public Art department. This job taught taught me about project management, but also the power that public art can have on identifying a place and relating to a community. After a year, I started working in the Grants department. It’s hard to believe that I am now in a position as a Grants Administrator in charge of Broward County’s artist grants. When I graduated I couldn’t find any opportunities to apply to but it’s funny to now be able to make the exact opportunities I was looking for at that time.

Being recognized for both my artistry and administration experience is important to me. They go hand in hand and fuel each other. Anyone reading this should know that opportunities really do exist for artists. Its just a matter of putting yourself out there, meeting people in the field, and trying to make things happen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Here’s a list of places and activities I would recommend to anyone visiting South Florida.

Oleta state park for kayaking
Le Tub Saloon for piña coladas
Everglades National Park for an airboat ride
Bonnet House for a beautiful historic site
Venetian Pool in Coral Gables for a dip
Perez Art Museum for contemporary art
Jaxons Ice Cream Parlor
Swap Shop for a drive in movie
Odd Balls Nifty Thrift for some cool finds
South Pointe Park for the sunset
Top Golf for a fun night with friends
Fruit and Spice Park for a picnic
Olympia Theater for a show
ICA for some contemporary art
Wynwood Walls for sick graffiti and shops
Glitch Bar for games
Schnebly Redlands Winery for wine tasting
Rapids Waterpark for a fun day
Jungle Queen for a great tour

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

There are many people to thank for the reason I am where I am today. In particular:

– Brooke Anderson, for opening the door for art in my life and teaching me the importance of being uncomfortable.
– The Girls’ Club Collection, Francie Bishop Good & Sarah Michelle Rupert for my first dive into Arts Administration and the contemporary fine art world.
– Asif Farooq, my late boss and mentor for the teaching me how to create with my hands, that nothing was impossible, and the importance of always dreaming big.

Website: www.ericamohan.com

Instagram: @socorina

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/erica-mohan-a9a24a97/

Image Credits
Marcus-Allen Screen, Gregory Reed