Meet Sara Schesser Bartra | Artist/Scientist or Scientist/Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sara Schesser Bartra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I think the creative spirit has been always inside me, to be a scientist you have to be creative. During the pandemic I reassessed my priorities and decided to make the transition from scientist to artist. I think I have a unique niche coming from a scientific background into the arts and I can combine both fields. 
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I consider myself a citizen of the world because I grew up in different countries in South America and Europe. I learned the different cultures and languages of those countries. I speak Spanish, English, Russian and Swedish. Each of the cultures added to my baggage and heritage. I am a self-taught artist who comes from a family of numerous professions, among them many established artists from whom I drew inspiration since childhood.

My academic training is in science. I went to Medical School in the former Soviet Union, particularly in the Ukraine. I went to graduate school in Sweden. I hold a PhD in Molecular Biology and Microbiology. I worked as a scientist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine until a week ago and often I incorporate science and the microbial world in my artistic creations. I believe that microbes are beautiful and that it is important to forge a deeper public understanding and awareness of science. My work is in private collections around the world. Currently I am an artist in residence at ArtServe and previously at Zero Empty Spaces in Fort Lauderdale. I am also a member of Embajadores del Arte, an Art organization that promotes Hispanic artists.

My work represents a variety of techniques, mediums and themes. I particularly enjoy mix media because I can use all my imagination and creativity utilizing materials that sometimes I buy but most times I find and collect from the most unlikely sources. The combination of these techniques and materials produces interesting and compelling pieces of art. My artistic expression has gone through many phases over last period of time resulting in art with a highly personal approach and perspective.

In my recent work I am combining my scientific background into my art.

“Humans are visual creatures: we need to see in order to understand”. My goal is to combine science and art. Friendship and collaborations are part of my daily life. Accordingly, I lead an art group of Swedish Women living in South Florida. The path to be an artist coming from a different field is not an easy one, but it is a challenging one. The learning curve has been very steep. But I am a fighter and love challenges. I am so excited to see what the future in a carrier in the arts bring. I think all are exciting, interesting and fantastic things. I always learn, I learn every day and that is my major motivation to learn a be a little better every day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living in Miami and with friends from around the world you always have visitors that are eager and curious to know about the city. I take them to see Miami Beach the Art Deco district and for lunch to the former Versace mansion: Giani’s restaurant. I also take them to Brickell and drinks at Sugar on the roof top of the East Hotel. The Miami Design district, ICA Miami, the Perez Museum. Another favorite spot is the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. And for those that love nature (a lot of them do) The Everglades National Park and Fairchild Tropical Garden.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family and to my first curator at ArtServe Fort Lauderdale, Sophie Bonet. Without the support of my family, I won’t be the person that I am today and the artist that I am today specially my brother Jose Carlos who passed away few years ago. He was my first mentor into the arts. Lately when I decided that I want to do the arts in a professional way Sophie B. is the mentor who has helped me to shape my artistic carrier so far.

Website: lvlyartbysara.org

Instagram: @schesserbartrasara @lvlyartdesigns

Linkedin: Sara Schesser Bartra

Facebook: Sara Schesser Bartra

Image Credits
Penny Fraser Photography and Fareed Al-Mashat Filmmaker / Photographer.