Megan Shoemaker

You describe yourself as an emerging artist. What does that mean to you?

It means I'm owning it. I started college as a fine arts major and switched to social work because I wanted to give back, so that part of me took a back seat. It wasn't until a friend pointed out that I literally cannot not make things that something clicked. Creating isn't just what I do. It's a core part of who I am. Lately I've been taking myself seriously, spending my time and money on it, being vulnerable in it. I've gotten over the imposter syndrome through that process. Emerging, to me, means I'm done apologizing for taking up space.

Your thousand crane installation at Burkholder felt like a turning point. Can you talk about that?

I'd been folding cranes since my son was born, about seven years ago. Eventually I folded a thousand, which is called a Senbazuru in Japanese tradition, and it became a two-story installation at Burkholder. Making something that massive, that took up that much space, was the moment I realized people genuinely want me to take up space. And it transforms people. I used to dismiss art the way our culture does, as something indulgent, not serious. That installation changed that for me entirely. It's the most serious thing. It's how we communicate. It's what makes us human.

Where do your ideas come from?

Every morning I write three pages of stream-of-consciousness, morning pages, from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I do it right when I wake up, almost still in a dream state. Ninety-nine percent of my ideas come from that process. I did it the day my dad died. I did it the day of my installation. If I could recommend one thing to any creative, it would be that. Write on anything. It doesn't need to be a beautiful notebook. Just get it out, first thing, every day. It will change your life.

How do you push through self-doubt?

My mentality now is basically just do it anyway. I think about the people with money and power who aren't creating anything meaningful, and what they're doing to society, and I think no. I'm taking up that space. I am encouraging other people to also take up that space. To me art is resistance to that. The more space we take up, the more even the field is. It is about standing up for people who can't stand up for themselves and part of doing that is making waves for people. Just put it on the wall. You're not hurting anyone by existing and you're not hurting anyone by taking up space. In fact you're helping people. I feel imposter syndrome all the time. I felt it right before you came over today. But it's not going to stop me. It's not about blocking it or silencing it. It's just doing it anyway.

What is it like being a creative in Lincoln?

Genuinely wonderful. People here are in collaboration, not competition. It's very Midwestern. Every artist and event I've encountered has been inclusive and welcoming. I don't take that for granted. The talent here would surprise people. We have some truly remarkable artists in this city and there is room for everyone.

Where can people find your work and support you?

Visit heymayphoto.com and there's a link to my Etsy print shop right at the top. I love sending prints out. It feels like making a little care package for someone. You can also find me in person at Studio G in the basement of the Burkholder Project in the Haymarket on First Fridays. Stop by, say hi, fold a crane.