About Me

Name: Lisa Clemons

Education: I received a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, with a minor in Linguistics, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009. I’ll be going back to school starting Summer 2016 for a Master’s in Social Work with a Schools concentration.

Work: I’ve worked a few different jobs over the years. Since 2013, I have been working as a Recovery Advocate at a Runaway and Homeless Youth shelter. Before that, I spent several years working in retail, including a year at a fabric store and over three years at a second hand store.

Art: Like most people, I’ve been creating and making things since I was a child. I’ve also been sewing my own clothes since High School. I’ve taught myself to sew, knit, crochet, and even weave. However, it wasn’t until after college that I was sucked into the art scene in the town I was living in. I owe a lot to the 3T: Third Thursday Art Shows that used to take place each month in Springfield, IL – they inspired me and got me started. Sustainability and fair labor practices are extremely important to me. Because of this, almost all of the materials I use are recycled from old clothes, thrift store finds, or have been produced in an ethical and environmentally safe manner.

So.. Fashion, Culture, Art, and Communication.. Huh?  What this blog aims to discuss is how these different elements overlap and impact our lives. The clothes that we wear and the art that we create are forms of expression and communication. The cultures that we live and grow in are both reflected in and inspired by these things.