Sidebar: Before I noticed her art, I saw a “The charm school dropout” banner. I had to see, meet, and talk to a charm school dropout. The banner is a great hook (way to draw people in).

I talked to Artist, Sarah Collier, at the Columbus Arts Festival 2022.

Tell me about yourself and your art.

I am from Wilmington, North Carolina. I am a mixed media artist. This is my tenth year being a mixed media artist. I have been in Columbus 5 or 6 times. I am glad to be back at the show. I was a failed graphic designer and a high school guidance counselor.

Tell me about the charm school dropout banner that I was drawn to.

My mother was a very prim and proper lady. As things will go, you will get the opposite of what you are looking for. She got me. That was our joke. I was the charm school dropout. She was hoping for a daughter who wore white gloves, white dress, etc.

Tell me about your process, common theme, etc.

I disguise cultural issues through humor and images that we have ingrained in ourselves. Advertising uses its twisted wicked way with white nonsense to affect us. I take things that we are familiar with to twist it in a way to talk about things that I think are important right now. For example feminism, anti-guns, and other social issues.