Did you know? Saint Louis Sudbury School is lucky to have school every day inside an amazing arts community, Intersect Arts Center, in South City! We recently visited Jessie Donovan, a visual artist, who has studio space on the floor above us at Intersect Arts Center. Sudbury students enjoyed meeting Jessie, learning about her work, asking questions, and being a little bit starstruck at getting to know a real working artist in person. :-) Saint Louis Sudbury School has a few teens who love to draw, collage, sew, paint, and explore different art techniques!
We followed up our visit with some written questions. This is what Jessie shared:
What advice would you give young people who are interested in pursuing art professionally in the future?
I would say four things:
1. Explore different mediums - you never know which medium will give you that breakthrough in your art.
2. Always be open to learning - you will need skills like marketing, business administration, video editing, etc.
3. Be kind to others - treat people with respect, show up for others, and be someone people are excited to work with again.
4. Don't be afraid to tell people your dreams - you never know who’s listening, who believes in you, or who might have the exact opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
Why is art important in our world?
Art is a way for humans to express ourselves, connect, and find hope. For me, art is one of the best ways to learn about other perspectives, cultures, and communities, which is why when I travel to a new city or country, I always have to see their contemporary art museum.
How are your heart and mind feeling these days? How does creating art affect your well being?
The world is stressful and uncertain, especially right now, and making art helps me focus on what I can do. Creating things helps my anxiety because it gives me something tangible to work through with my hands and my attention. It also empowers me to take action in other parts of my life, because it reminds me that if I just start and keep going, I can actually do important things.
What is it like having studio space at Intersect Arts Center? Has it changed you in some way?
Yes, having space at Intersect has been career changing! If I wasn't here, I'm not sure I'd be able to be as productive or have as much room to experiment. I also enjoy being in this community space; it feels alive with all of the events, the kids, the other artists, and I love hearing music from the floor below while I'm working in my studio.
More about Jessie and her company, Fieldmark Print Co.
Fieldmark Print Co. grew out of Jessie Donovan’s lifelong fascination with the natural world and her desire to reconnect people to the ecology of the place they call home. While working as a software engineer, time outdoors was the only way she could rest and reset her mind. That habit of slowing down and paying attention to the world around her became the foundation of Fieldmark.
Beyond Fieldmark, Jessie maintains a broader art practice that includes conceptual projects exploring how systems of knowledge such as scientific classification and anthropology shape (and distort) our understanding of the natural world.
Outside the studio, Jessie co-runs ShowMe Hikes, a community hiking program that brings people together to explore Missouri’s public lands and learn about local ecosystems. She also operates Frame STL, a custom framing studio focused on craftsmanship and education, where she teaches others how to frame their own artwork.
Photography by Jennifer A. Lin. Intersect Arts Center, St. Louis, MO, November 6, 2025.
Explore some of Jessie’s beautiful prints, cards, and calendars on our Fieldmark Print Co. site!
