Meet Sarah Coppola

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Coppola.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been an artist all my life! I grew up in rural NC with a mother who is a full-time potter. As a child, my two younger brothers and I were either outside playing in the woods and the creek, or we were in my mom’s studio making little sculptures. My dad also did some woodworking, so we sometimes tried to make tables and toolboxes out of his scraps as well.

We accompanied my mom to her craft shows and were exposed to every kind of art you could imagine. It was inspiring. I began selling my little sculptures when I was probably about 6. I’d have a little basket of my workout at my mom’s shows and would happily talk to anyone who would listen about what I made. I loved going to see all the other artist’s booths, and if my mom did well, she’d sometimes let me pick out something to buy – I cherished those pieces!

I firmly believe I developed an eye for art due to all of that early exposure. My mom encouraged us to try all different types of art and I had an entrepreneurial spirit from early on. I also always loved science and ancient history and devoured everything I could read on the subjects. So, once I got to college at UNC, getting a BFA and double majoring in anthropology with a focus on archaeology was pretty inevitable, despite trying other things first. In my senior year, I had the privilege of studying in Florence, Italy. I’m 1/4 Italian, so studying the art, language, and history was like connecting with my ancestors – understanding my roots.

After college, I started working at an art gallery and eventually became associate gallery director. I loved that job, but the 2008 crash was tough and the gallery closed in 2010. I went on to become studio director at internationally renowned children and family portrait photographer’s studio for 8 years. I ran most of the business part of the studio doing everything from bookkeeping to workshop planning to design to sales and, eventually, was also shooting all the headshots for our clients as well. It was an amazing experience to learn every part of running a small business, and we traveled all over the world putting on workshops as well. I met SO many amazing people. Not only that but learning how to photograph and edit at a professional level was invaluable!

After that, I worked as an office manager at a candle and soap-making supply company. That was really fun as they provided support to thousands of artists across the US, so I learned a lot about those processes and started making both to go along with my clay work. After that was a huge jump to biotech. I learned about a brand new startup developing DNA amplification kits that would revolutionize cancer and other disease research, among other things.

The CEO was looking for an office/operations manager who could wear many hats (including marketing/design) and I leaped at the chance. I was the 5th hire and have been there for 2.5 years now. Our products are changing the face of genomics research and, though my role has shifted a lot as operations manager, I still get to use my art background to do our product photography and headshots, among other things.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think smooth roads exist, at least for creatives! But every bump adds to your character and what makes you.

Art is a tough market to break into and make a living in, especially when you’re young. Business and marketing courses aren’t standard for an art degree but should be. I am so lucky in that I worked in multiple businesses where I could truly learn the nuts and bolts of running a small art business from wonderful professionals.

Probably one of the biggest bumps I’ve run into that comes from working in micro/small businesses is burnout. When you’re at a tiny company, everything you do makes a huge impact. It is so easy to work harder and harder and harder and really become invested in that company’s success, almost to your own detriment. At least I know I have felt that way. And even if you love the job, burnout can happen and be debilitating.

I’ve done a lot of research on the topic recently and it seems the whole world right now is starting to realize what burnout actually is and pushing back against that culture. It’s different for everyone, but it’s so nice that there are so many resources out there now to help with it.

The subtle push in society for more of a focus on mental health is a good thing!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am primarily a ceramic artist. I make sculptures, hand-built functional pieces, and clay and glass jewelry. Along with growing up in my mom’s studio, at 14, the very first real job I ever had was working in the sculpture studio where I took private lessons as well. So that first love will never go away.

But I’m also a nature photographer, candle and soap maker, and painter. I love so many different types of art! I’ve also made some moss wall art that I love recently as well. I think I’ll always be trying new things and combining different types of art and techniques to come up with something unique.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Obviously, my mom deserves the most credit for my success. She fostered a love of art and exploration in me from very early on. She’s always been there for any tips or questions I might have.

Also, my private sculpture teachers in middle and high school took the chance to hire me at 14 and help me develop my sculpture techniques well beyond what I could have imagined.

And last, but not least, all my bosses in adulthood taught me so much about running small businesses, and even other art forms like photography. I have learned so much from other people in every job I’ve ever had.

Contact Info:

• Website: indigoartsnc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigoartsnc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoartsclay/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahcoppola