Expressive Art Studios by Photosbymarcia
It all begins with an idea.
Expressive Art Studios was born out of a passion for photography and a commitment to addressing the challenges faced by under-resourced artists.
This venture seeks to bridge the gap between art and business by providing affordable studio space and equipment to emerging photographers and artists.
The journey began with my first digital camera Canon Rebel T7i, which I co-invested in with my grandfather during high school, marking the initial step towards my photography business. Joining the yearbook club in high school allowed me to hone my photography skills, develop time management and organizational abilities, and communicate effectively. This experience ignited my love for capturing memories and people's reactions to photographs. Currently in college, pursuing a degree in Business Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Realizing the financial challenges of running a photography business, I focused on the business aspect of photography, seeking ways to make it more affordable while delivering artistic excellence.
Expressive Art Studios was conceived to provide fully equipped studio space and equipment rentals at an affordable rate for under-resourced artists. Operating through Wentworth's Accelerate Makerspace, I established my business through the Accelerates Co-op for Entrepreneurs and obtained my LLC for Photosbymarcia. I hosted my first photography exhibit during Black History Month, highlighting black student leaders at Wentworth and gaining recognition in The W which is a Wentworth campus-wide newsletter!
The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the role of art in raising morale and fostering community cohesion. However, renting studio spaces in Boston remains prohibitively expensive, compounding the financial burden on artists. Disparities in the art world are glaring, with the underrepresentation of black artists and women. That is where Expressive Art Studios aims to bridge the gap by offering a solution to provide studio space with no upfront costs, just a nominal monthly membership fee including 2 free hours a month of studio access. My business aims to contribute to greater diversity and inclusivity, addressing this issue by providing opportunities and resources to underrepresented artists.
As the founder of Expressive Art Studios, I understood running my own business first, through photographing professional headshots, particularly for college students and professionals, graduating seniors, couples, and families I began to expand my services. I used various resources at Accelerate Makerspace located at Wentworth, which included a darkroom and studio equipment, to develop my expertise in this area and rented and toured studio spaces in Boston. Accelerate has been used as an incubator for free. Upon graduation, I will be ensuring that members of Expressive Art Studios can operate on their own in a diverse community. As my clientele, community, and network grow in Boston, so does the understanding of my niche market and the need for an affordable space where I can produce my artwork while producing high-quality photos.