Rockford Public Schools opened the door to the wild world of creativity for me. Thanks to the Auburn High School Creative and Performing Arts program, I plunged into a universe of theatre, art, and all things expressive. Fast forward through decades as a creative professional, and I've carved out a path as an award-winning Designer, Artist, and Professor.
Here are four nuggets of wisdom for anyone trekking the creative terrain: 1. Forget what you know; it's all about how you think. Forget what you've memorized; it's all about how you approach things. Too many folks stop learning once they're out of school. But if you want to master your craft, you've got to keep that curiosity alive and kicking. 2. You are what you do every day. You are what you do day in, day out. Want to be an artist? Then make art every day. Do you only make art occasionally? Then you have a hobby. Treat your creativity like a needy houseplant—it needs regular watering (or in this case, creating) to flourish. 3. Make repeated attempts with feedback. The more, the merrier—especially when it comes to feedback. In school, it was your teachers dishing out critiques. But nowadays? Social media and even random strangers can chime in. And trust me, the quicker you get that feedback, the faster you can fine-tune your craft. 4. Get Uncomfortable: Growth thrives in discomfort. So, don't get cozy. Challenge yourself at the fringes of your abilities. Keep pushing those boundaries and engaging in deliberate practice—it's the secret sauce to becoming a bona fide expert, clocking in thousands of hours in the uncomfortable zone.
CoCo Ree Lemery is a 2024 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductee and a 2007 graduate of Auburn High School. Lemery is a dynamic creative force and a dedicated educator. She is a highly acclaimed American artist and designer who has received numerous awards for her outstanding contributions to the world of furniture design. A former Design Director, CoCo creates best-selling products sold at retailers such as Pottery Barn, Nieman Marcus, Jonathan Adler, and Williams Sonoma. Her work garnered widespread recognition with awards such as the NYCxDesign Awards, A’ Design Awards, European Product Design Awards, International Furniture Design Association, WIL awards, and the Pinnacle Awards. With a background as a trained Charge Scenic Artist & Scenographer, CoCo has crafted unique environments for clients such as Fox Studios, Ralph Lauren, and the Adler Planetarium. It was this body of work that led her to be presented with the 2017 Michael Merritt Award. CoCo is the Creative Director for Studio Kloak, a studio dedicated to collectible sustainable design. With a flexible style rooted in place and an obsession with the objects that surround us, this work was most recently shown in Brussels, Belgium. Separately, her artwork can be seen in diverse collections, from Chelsea Town Hall in London to the Atlantic Public Library. A lifelong educator, CoCo worked with students at the University of Chicago, Hope College, North Central College, and Savannah College of Art & Design. Currently, CoCo is the Visiting Professor of Industrial & Furniture Design at Purdue University and Adjunct Faculty at UIC where she uses her immense experience to guide students on the path toward successful creative careers. Her practice-based research investigates the impact of AI on sustainability and design. With a wealth of knowledge in the field of design, CoCo regularly gives expert interviews on design and the furniture industry and with outlets like Business Insider, CNBC, and the Washington Post.