Meet Cicely Miller | Owner, Artist, Chief Creative Officer Cicely’s Jazzy Art

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cicely Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cicely, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Cicely’s Jazzy Art (CJA) strives to bridge the gap between art and the community by producing art, encouraging budding artists while supporting seasoned ones, and formulating unique fundraising channels to assist community organizations in reaching their financial goals.

Three major programs come under the CJA umbrella…The Celebrating Art, CJA 3D Virtual Art Gallery and Fundraiser and The Created to Create Arts and Technology Foundation, a non-profit.

Celebrating Art is a format for visual artists of all ages to compete and exhibit work. My idea is to specifically support people who are just getting started in the world of visual arts, especially our youth. Through this program, we solicit K-12 students who are interested in displaying their artwork and be juried for prizes. Occasionally, this will be a platform for adult art competitions. We plan to use people of all ages and backgrounds as judges.

CJA 3D Virtual Art Gallery and Fundraiser, I believe, this is a game-changer. When you view it, you feel you as if you are in an art gallery. The program is open to all and requires little to no operating expenses and yields a 50% commission on sales for your organization. The good news is that it is accessible anywhere online with great finds for everyone.

Hosting an Evening at the Gallery has proven successful to those organizations looking to reach their fundraising goals, in style. An Art Exhibition and Virtual Fundraiser, A Perfect Pairing. Demos can be scheduled by contacting cjazzyart@yahoo.com.

Created to Create Arts and Technology Foundation, non-profit has been established. The mission is to promote creativity, expression and education through visual arts and technology. Our goal is to empower our youth and serve communities, especially the underserved. Offerings will include services, such as Training and Education, Forums, Tours, Art Exhibitions, Information & Research, Promotion & Audience Development, and Leverage Resources. Ideally, we want to link with people who want to utilize the program and contribute voluntarily or monetarily.

Cicely’s Jazzy Art can be described as the intersection between visual art and social awareness, between education, entertainment and fundraising. We like to show people what they love to see, plus, what they need to see, and deliver this information through multiple platforms.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My Gumbo of artistry has been a progression of my life experiences growing up in New Orleans and the Northwest and forging my way through various cities in Texas. It has evolved and transformed over the years to become a collection of black history, imagery of faces, popular events and abstract figures. I work in various mediums, but pencil, acrylic and mixed with some digital always makes my work feel like me. I believe there is a mental side to art making that deals with originality and style. For me, it’s embracing color. I’m obsessed with it because based on the hue, it can pull on so many of the viewers emotions. With a unique eye for color, I regularly create commissioned and personalized artwork. Beyond my love for creating original art, I specialize in functional art, which consists of art cutting boards, coasters, bags and my newly introduced art award line. It wonderful to see how clients incorporate these pieces in practical ways.

Fashion is no longer just reserved for the runway, and I have my hands into the textile/fashion design arena with the pieces coming directly from my original art, now wearable art. I am in the thick of it and I am proud of the recent collaboration with a major retailer to create their 2023 Black History Collection.

Additionally, I am proud of the following accomplishments:

NFTs/Crypto Art

Non-fungible tokens are changing the way we own thing, digitally and I have several collections on the Open Sea blockchain. They be viewed at https://opensea.io/colormintnft.

Awards and Recognition

I was recently awarded 2022 Best of Show Theme Related piece entitled “Medical Thinker” at the Lenora Rolla Ninth Annual Art Show.

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Psi Chapter presented me with the 2022 Doretha N. Hornbuckle Business Entrepreneur Award.

I am one of the featured artists in the “Eclectics Coffee Table Book of Art” highlighting the works of 6 African American Artists in the Dallas area.

My journey to becoming a full-time professional visual artist has not been an easy one; however, with hard work and dedication including working corporate and jobs in education, I was able to move to this status and do not take it lightly as I am extraordinarily blessed to do what I love for a living. I tell people that art found me. Even though I have been painting and drawing prior to starting grade school and even though my mother encouraged me to major in art, at that time I could not see the big picture. Along the way, I took drawing classes, worked as a cartoonist and even entered art contests; however, it was not until one of college professors asked to purchase my artwork that it dawned on me that I could really be successful in the art arena. Since that time, I acquired a B. A. Degree in Mass Communications, Xavier University of Louisiana, and she earned a Master of Art in Art Technology and Emerging Communication, University of Texas at Dallas. What I learned along the way is to pursue what you love and be ready to put in the work.

Cicely’s Jazzy Art (CJA) can be described as the intersection between visual art and social awareness, between education, entertainment and fundraising. We like to show people what they love to see, plus, what they need to see, and deliver this information through multiple platforms.

The CJA brand promotes embracing color. Clients have the opportunity to surround themselves with unique pieces of beautiful art in every hue. The powerful psychological impact of art has been known to profoundly influence attitude and actions. Discover your ideal artwork and see your mood improve. Color can improve your mood, complement your decor or make a bold or subtle statement. I have even found it to be very effective in advertising and building my brand image.

Moving forward, the goal of Cicely’s Jazzy Art is to develop a partnership with a major brand to bring support and entertainment to the Community-at-large.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Six Floor Museum

Reunion Tower

Dallas Cowboys Football Game

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

Dallas Museum of Art

Bishop Arts District

The Star in Frisco

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This shoutout goes to my mother, Evelyn Miller. She is my biggest fan and has literally supported me and my efforts to succeed from birth, as a single parent. I am sure I do not and maybe will not ever understand the full brevity of her value. She has always been there through it all and I am eternally grateful.

Website: http://www.artgallerycja.com

Instagram: @cjazzyart

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/cicely-miller-34346448

Twitter: : http://www.twitter.com/cjazzyart

Facebook: : http://www.facebook.com/cjazzyart