VAM’s new exhibition Now Streaming will be on exhibition February 4-17. VAM will host artists working in experimental processes using a combination of traditional and new media. This year’s exhibition will be co-curated and exhibited by VAM’s Creative Residents (VCR). Join us for music and art at the Reception on Friday February 8 from 7-9 pm.

In this profile, we feature Visual Arts Mississauga Creative Resident Jenna Polla.

1. How long have you been creating for?

I have been painting since I was a toddler. Like most kids, I was pretty creative, and I was lucky enough to have the time and resources to experiment artistically. I’ve been painting pretty consistently ever since.

2. What inspired you to create?

It’s difficult to pinpoint what inspires me creatively—anything from a decrepit wall to reading a great book can provoke different images and ideas to pop into my head. While creativity is largely elusive for me, I find that I am most productive when I’m feeling restless.

3. What goals do you have for 2019?

Seeing “Now Streaming” come to life is one of my major goals for 2019, so it’s exciting that it’s coming up soon. Other than that, I hope to create art in new media and travel to new places.

4. Where would you like to be creatively in the next three years?

In the next few years, I aim to hone in on a unique artistic style that transcends different media. I wish to keep engaging with my creative community, taking every opportunity to meet and collaborate with other artists. I also hope to overcome my tendency to downplay my creative ambition. Like a lot of other artists, I have a bit of impostor syndrome that results in me not articulating how seriously I take my art, which is something I aim to overcome.

5. What's your preferred creative medium and why?

I love painting with acrylics. Acrylic paint’s quick drying time satisfies my fickle nature, and the relatively painless cleanup is great since I like to get messy. I also like to explore different textures, and I find that acrylic paint lends itself to being mixed together with other texturized paints quite well.

6. What attracted you to the Now Streaming exhibition?

While “Now Streaming” is the culmination of our residency, it is ultimately a manifestation of local youth talent. Something about young talent is really enticing—it’s always exciting to find people with fresh eyes, seemingly endless supplies of creativity and unwearied eagerness. “Now Streaming” aims to showcase the talent and enthusiasm of young artists in the GTA.

jennapolla.com

The VAM Creative Residency is generously funded by the Community Foundation of Mississauga.