Born and raised in Topeka Kansas, my art journey didn’t really take off until I was raising kids of my own. My personal journey had an over-abundance of difficult struggles that molded who I was as an adult, bringing out my strength and determination. As a child, I lacked the self-esteem and support that was needed for me to really thrive as an individual. Ironically, growing up through the 90’s in Topeka, I often noticed the same thing in our city. Topeka struggled to make an identity for itself, surrounded by crime, decades of the dark cloud brought on by Westboro Baptist Church, and a history of racial indifference’s that we couldn’t seem to get past. In order to grow we needed an environment conducive to growth.

I really felt the need to be a part of that change when I decided that Topeka was always going to be my home, where I was going to raise my family, grow my roots, and be a part of something better. I wanted my children to grow up in a city that was growing around them, while also seeing the importance of being a positive support system for others within their community.

I knew that in order to make that happen I had to be a part of that change that I wanted to see.

I started dabbling in art in 2010 at the kitchen table during nap times (I did in-home preschool for 14 years) and realized that it was a great way to build bridges in the community and to help me achieve my personal goals of building up my city for my children to grow and thrive in. I remember being a naïve artist, who was clueless about how the art world works. I jumped right in and didn’t have a care in the world if I belonged or not. I was on a mission, and nothing was going to stop me! I consider myself a nontraditional artist, self-taught and highly motivated to grow the arts in my city.

I live by the Ralph Marston quote, “What’s holding you back is the thought that something is holding you back.” Being an artist to me is not about promoting my work and trying to be the best or most successful artist in the area. Instead, my approach to art comes from those who I’ve surrounded myself around in my community (and beyond). My goal is to raise others up, to be a leader and help those around me grow and evolve, (all of which meets my bigger personal goals). When I’m meeting my own personal mission the creative process just comes naturally for me.

Since immersing myself into the arts in Topeka I’ve been blessed to have been given some amazing experiences. In 2011 I became involved in our newly established Arts and Entertainment District, NOTO. With that involvement I’ve owned and operated 4 different galleries, growing, and changing as each new phase of the district was developed. I have shown in over one hundred art shows, nationally and internationally, with twelve solo exhibits. I participated in the Parallax Art Fair in London and was an Arty Award Visual Artist Finalist 2017.

I’ve had the opportunity to grow my community through multiple fundraising efforts, and am highly involved in community outreach efforts, working to build partnerships with local organizations and businesses to further support the arts in Topeka. In 2017 and 2018 I partnered with our local zoo, painting with both an elephant and an alligator, and auctioning off those paintings for charity. I was chair of the Aaron Douglas Art Fair for 5 years, an annual, one-day art fair that celebrates the legacy of Topeka-born artist Aaron Douglas and showcases over 40 emerging and professional artists. In 2019 I was blessed to be able to quit my full time job as an in-home preschool teacher to take a full time job with NOTO as Program and Communications Coordinator. In my current position I’m responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the district, as well as the NOTO Arts Center, coordinating over 40 annual events and arts programming, managing communications, and working to promote NOTO to the wider community.

The last year has been a whirlwind of wins in NOTO, and I’ve been front and center in economic development efforts, and expansion of arts programming. I created the NOTO Art Health walk, which promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle through art while identifying over 50 public art locations in NOTO. Through a partnership with the city of Topeka and NOTO, I implemented the first crosswalk mural as a pilot project for the city, I worked hand in hand with businesses in NOTO to create public murals and additional public locations for art. Part of my job requires me to implement programming in the district and the NOTO Arts Center. It’s really the diamond in the rough of my responsibilities, giving me the opportunity to reach all of the arts in Topeka. During my time working for NOTO I’ve curated over 50 art exhibits, facilitated exhibits with multiple school districts, booked musicians in the park for events, worked with theater groups, dance groups, and celebrated the rich culture and heritage of our city through public events and programming.

How can you connect with & support Staci Ogle?

Staci Dawn Ogle
6718 NE Indian Creek Rd, Topeka KS 66617
785-221-5499
staci.ogle@notoartsdistrict.org

NOTO Arts & Entertainment District
935 N Kansas Ave
Topeka, Kansas 66608
explorenoto.org

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