About...
Darcy Dillon is a mixed-genre creative writer with their BA from Columbia College Chicago. Their short stories and poetry have been featured in Hair Trigger, Flare Journal, and Mulberry Literary, and they worked as a junior editor for the 32nd and 33rd issues of the Columbia Poetry Review. Being a freelance artist, writer, and small business owner means their hands are always full of work while their mind brews up the next project!
They are currently volunteering as an Editor-in-Chief over at Mulberry Literary, a free online lit mag which features work from a variety of written and visual arts! They also dedicate their time over at Crete Creative Gallery & School as the Gallery Director Intern, aiding various Committees in their goals to support the arts and establish strong roots in the community!
In the future, Darcy plans on dedicating their energy to starting a non-profit that awards scholarships to young LGBTQ+ artists and writers in the South Chicago and Northwest Indiana suburbs-- encouraging them to pursue their degrees and follow their artistic visions professionally.
Why I Create...
One of the most important details I learned during my studies is that everyone faces barriers when it comes to pursuing art. For some, it’s finances, time, or energy-- for others it’s the social stigma that comes with declaring yourself to be an “artist” or a “writer.” I’ve had people look at me sideways, laugh, scoff, and even offer me jobs selling windows-- all because they doubt the very idea of making a career out of art and writing. But here’s the thing...
We all love art. Every film, TV show, novel, framed painting in our homes-- they’re carefully crafted by artists who have dedicated their lives to their art. Especially now, art encompasses nearly every genre from easy entertainment to heartfelt expressions of self-actualization. It continues to thrive as the vessel through which we can convey the inner workings of our minds to others in a world designed to tear us apart.
My hope is that by fostering art spaces, therefore making the supplies and education more accessible, we can teach people the creative methods they need to lead more fun and fulfilling lives outside of the everyday grind. With strong community leadership and the support of local nonprofits, I believe that we can inspire more works of art that act as a vehicle for change-- in both the personal and societal spheres.