Today we’d like to introduce you to Zsavon Butler.
Zsavon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Stafford, VA, a satellite suburb of Washington, DC. I’ve always been a creative but the thought of being a “struggling artist” was just flat out frightening. After graduating from high school in 1996, I went directly into Information Technology Consulting. I was 18 and ready to make the big bucks in a booming field. After several long years as a network administrator, I decided to continue my education in the arts. I graduated from American University in Washington, DC with a BA in Visual Media and a minor in Studio Art in 2006. It was during my time at American University that my LOVE of art really flourished.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think anything in life is simple or smooth. Life is a journey and when on a journey one has to expect a few bumps. While in college, I got married and months later found out we were adding to our family. I became a mother, four days after graduation! Art took a backseat to other priorities. While creating art was still exciting, I noticed I began creating for different reasons and from a different perspective. Art became a release to break up the monotonous, and sometimes lonely, daily routine of being a full-time mother and wife. During this time, I also began making and selling ceramic stemware that I trademarked as Cultured Stems. I finally had my first public art show and sold my first piece in November of 2009 at Gallery 788 in Baltimore, MD. As my son got older and as his schedule got busier, I found even less time to be creative. I didn’t have another public show until just after my family moved to Houston in August of 2012. After that show, I decided to take a break from showing my work. I would still create of course just more privately. I needed to self reflect as I contemplated what kind of visual artist I wanted to be. I began focusing on selling my ceramic stemware line, Cultured Stems, via an Etsy.com store and patented four designs.
In 2019, things started to change for me. I had lots to say and it became clear to me how to say it with my art. My work stems from observing social and cultural events present in today’s society —with a focus on events impacting people, and more specifically people of color. It portrays my innermost thoughts feelings, and fears motivated by personal life experiences. As an artist, I feel compelled to capture and communicate these themes throughout my work. I am an “abstract-figurative” artist and incorporate varying methods and mediums to build a clear, yet subtle, visual narrative. My ultimate goal is to reel the viewer in initially based solely on visual aesthetics then captivate them with deeper content. I was recently selected to exhibit for the 2019 Citywide African American Artist Exhibition. My work was displayed in the Texas Southern University Museum of Art and The Museum of Fine Arts Glassell School. My work will also be displayed at the University of Houston Clear Lake for its African American Artists Exhibition from January 23-March 21, 2020.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
When I’m not creating my art, I’m focused on my ceramic stemware line called Cultured Stems. Each stem is handcrafted, embellished, glazed and fired to over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. The process yields unique stems where no two pieces are alike. Stems can be purchased on Etsy.com.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Thank you to my family and friends for all your support over the years! Nicholas, my husband, THANK YOU for everything! You are my best friend and my biggest fan.
Pricing:
- Voyage Houston Special: Buy one glass get one free. Visit Cultured Stems on Etsy. www.etsy.com/shop/culturedstems. Select two glasses of your choice. Enter VOYAGEHTOWN at checkout for discount.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Culturedstems.com; www.Artbyzsavon.com
- Email: zsavon@culturedstems.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/culturedstems; instagram.com/artbyzsavon
Image Credit:
Photography by Nicholas Stuart instagram.com/nics40
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