Meet Sheila J Hall | Artist/Surface Designer/Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheila J Hall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheila J, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
As a parent of two adult business owners, I feel my greatest impact was instilling in them the confidence to set out on their own journey doing what they love. By seeing my husband and me always strive to excel at our jobs and launch our own businesses as we raised them taught them anything was possible with hard work. They are both self employed and their choices impact and others. My oldest owns a Dances Speaks Performing Arts Academy and serves an under served community of brown ballerinas in San Diego. My son is a barber and does community service to those who need a free hair cut and a fresh start. He is raising his family in Anchorage Alaska.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is bold, colorful and expressive of my life experiences. Affected by my environment and the social and economic eras, my art has evolved. I have become more at ease with not always pleasing others. As a black woman who studied art at a predominately white university, I learned to be resourceful in seeking to learn more than offered. I became an art teacher, moved to Alaska and as I taught I learned more and more about who I was as an artist. I continued to paint and create works of art and came to the realization that the fact that although my art was not “realism,” it was still meaningful. Some of my strongest art works are representative of culture and faith. I like making statements that give the viewer something to think on. The images are often symbolic and the shapes and colors have meaning. I am inspired by African, Alaskan and American Native Indian patterns and colors. My latest works are inspirational and derivative of my Baptist church upbringing and my strong faith. It was a challenge to become known in the art world, first in Anchorage, Alaska and again upon returning to North Carolina. As an educator I knew the importance of the arts in educating a well rounded human being. I saw how developing ones art skills nourished self esteem and built confidence. I used the art room to keep at-risk students in school and create motivating activities to engage the students and encourage academic success. As I saw more and more school systems cut the funding I decided to become part of the administration so I would have a more meaningful voice in the system. After obtaining the necessary added education and degrees I was challenged to convinced the district that as an artist I could also be an effective educational leader. I proved that to be true and spend twelve years as a public school administrator. I went on to help supervise the art department and assigned art teachers to the schools. I continued to create my own art and began exhibiting during thus time.
Serving the community and creating art for charity benefits is fulfilling and turned out a good way to get known as an artist while serving good causes. As an educator I always love teaching others to enjoy creating and appreciating art. By teaching in community centers I am able to teach all ages. I also enter community art efforts and have been able to leave my works of art in the community in Anchorage, Alaska , Garner, North Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina. I have used some of my paintings to create surface designs for fabrics, clothing, accessories and home decor.
What I want the world to know about me and my art is that I see art as a way of true universal expression. It frees the soul and documents the times. Every one should make art and enjoy what they create. My brand tag line is “From canvas to wardrobe,SJ Hall adds color to your life.” I believe art is therapy and can be cleansing and enjoyable. As a black woman artist I want young minority artists to see artist like themselves in the art world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Raliegh, North Carolina there are many things to do. On day one I would take best friend to spend a day at the NC Art Museum. We would have lunch at the wonderful cafe’ Muse in the museum. After checking out my work and other NC Artists in the museum store, we would tour the exhibits and take a walk in the sculpture gardens before leaving weather permitting that would take quite a while. For dinner we would visit Sam Jones NC Barbecue for some famous NC Chopped Pork.
Two or three days out of the week I enjoy cooking and would probably make dinner at home a couple of days.
On day two if it is in the warmer months we will spend some time on my deck having coffee and breakfast and listening to the beautiful birds and enjoying my flowers. I would take them to visit Artspace, a wonderful space of working artist studios and rotating exhibits and classes in the downtown area.
The Martin Marietta Center For the Performing Arts always has wonderful visiting performances of all types.
I like hanging out at one of the many walking parks, the Pullen Park has everything from pedal boats ponds to train rides and picnic pavilions as well as an art and recreation center. There are several water front parks such as Lake Wheeler Park with rocking chair viewing decks, kayak and paddle boarding, grills and picnic tables.
As a senior I now enjoy taking classes and being a part of the G Squad Sr. Dance team. That is how I spend my Thursday evenings.
The Raleigh Convention Center always has interesting events that are worth checking out. And the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek presents world renown musical artists.
On Sunday I would invite my friend to go with me to Springfield Baptist Church. It is right down the road from my house. Although it is a very large church, it is a very welcoming congregation who prides themselves as “the friendly church in the curb.” After church we could visit the Carolina Bleu Resturant for dinner.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shootout to my parents who where very hard working rural North Carolina people who made a huge impact on their community. I watched my father Alexander Lee Judge, work hard and retire from his 9-5 as a barbershop manager to work even harder as a farmer and entrepreneur of several businesses. He speared headed sourcing and gathering wheelchairs, walkers and other needed medical furniture for the seniors in the minority community. He also made connections to help those who suffered from fires or floods get furniture.
My mother Rebecca Henry Judge before retiring, was a nurse who went above and beyond to help others. She worked at the Naval Hospital, headed up the school nurses program, a director of adult services for the mental health needs of the area counties. She initiated the organization of the Duplin County Mental Health Services, After retirement she got her real estate license and even ran for political office twice. Each time she ran she wanted to make sure the voice of the minority community was heard. She continues to serve on mental health committees at age 89. She received the highest honor from the governor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine and was inducted into the Duplin Count Hall of Fame.
I must also shout out my maternal grandparents, Margaret and James Mack Henry, who both had their owned businesses. After years of working for others, my grandmother ran her own cafe’ and made sure no one went hungry because they could not pay. After that business closed she became a site manager for the senior nutrition program in her town. While a senior herself, she continued to serve the needs of others and share her faith and creativity as long as her health would allow.
With role models like these, I knew I had to persevere at anything I did. Obstacles are only challenges. They make you stronger.

Website: https://www.sjhalldesign.com

Instagram: #sjhallart

Linkedin: Sheila Judge Hall

Facebook: Sheila J Hall

Image Credits
All photos attached were taken by or for Sheila J Hall with her camera device.