By Dasia Hood

Taylor Lee Nicholson (they/them) is taping together their vision of success. 

Leaving their rural community to pursue “more important things” a decade ago, Nicholson settled into introspective work after receiving a $10,000 Emerging Creators Fellowship from ASC. They used the fellowship to focus on their passions, afford larger studio space and pursue personal projects.

“I used a lot to afford [the] rent for a studio at the McColl Center,” Nicholson explained.

McColl Center began a studio artist program in 2021. Being able to afford studio space gave them access to labs and technology that were once “out of the question.” For example, the McColl Center has a ceramic kiln that would run upwards of thousands of dollars. 

Now, Nicholson has “space to branch out and make new things” in a larger space that produces larger bodies of work. In December 2022, they debuted “Garbage Person,” a solo exhibition exploring their childhood experiences. 

“At the time, I didn’t realize it, but looking back on my childhood, I realized I was raised in poverty,” Nicholson said. COVID-19 catalyzed their nostalgia for affordable foods from their youth, and they reflected on their rural upbringing. The exhibition showed how growing up in poor circumstances shaped them as a person and their mixed feelings about leaving home.

The exhibition ended on Jan. 7, but Nicholson continues to grow their career.

Being at the McColl Center provided the familiarities of a small community, which can be challenging for an artist to find pursuing a career in a larger city. Thanks to the fellowship, Nicholson had the means to learn more about how they defined success for themself as an artist.

“I think I learned a lot about…my place in the world…about what I want to be or what I actually want vs. what I thought I would want.” Nicholson also participated in a project with Upcycle Arts to build a replica of the Disco Chicken. The manual, laborious work “felt more grounded” and reminded them of the blue-collar lifestyle of the adults in their childhood community.

Thanks to connections made at McColl, Taylor is continuing their path and taking their story to the SPRING/BREAK Art Show L.A. The theme of the L.A. art show is “yard sale.”