From The Desk Of: Athena Currey

Apr 14, 2016

We first learned about The Posters at the LA Art Book Fair a few years back. Their booth was filled with incredible works by artists like Jim Drain, Sam Falls, and Tom of Finland and it really caught our eye. But its when we learned about their mission, selling posters as a way to fund art classes for kids, that we really fell in love. We sat down with Creative Director Athena Currey to learn more about where she finds the creative inspiration to run such a great organization.

What’s on your desk?

A laptop, camera, my assistants hat, clay, budgets, a parking ticket, a book of Karen Kilimnik's work, and a beautiful 60's orange lamp.

Fill in the blank: "I don't show up at a meeting without _________."

A poster

What's on your reading list?

Just finished, The First Bad Man by Miranda July. Next on the list is Seeing Is Forgetting The Name Of The Thing One Sees by Robert Irwin.

What’s in your bag/always on your person?

I carry my office in my backpack/I carry a phone, wallet, keys and chapstick in my Summer Bummer bag.

I'd always... / I'd never...

drink a cup of coffee in the morning/ say never

I'd pay good money for... / Wouldn't take even if free...

dance lessons from Beyonce/stilettos

Fear conquered... / Not quite there yet...

driving/ swimming in the ocean

Constantly craving... / Don't see the appeal of...

Salt/Catfish

_____ always inspires / ______ totally sucks

Working with artists/Lobbying

______ is worth the wait / I have no patience for _____

Getting film developed/the lack of parking spots

I'm getting better at... / I'm getting worse at...

delegating/keeping normal work hours

Describe your personal aesthetic in three words:

Tomboy, nerdy, athlete

Describe the creative space at your company:

The walls are plastered with posters and on top of those posters there are framed posters.

What are your design inspirations?

David Hockney, Bauhaus, and John Baldessari

How does one tap into their creative side?

Make the time. This is a very difficult for me, but you have to carve out the space to make work or go visit museums. Be open to the world around you. There is inspiration everywhere.

What’s the motto/life philosophy/advice you live by?

For years my e-mails have ended with this quote by Maya Angelou, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel."

What is your favorite aspect of the job you do?

I love working with artists. Learning about their process and visiting their studios is always inspiring.

The paper product I can’t live without is ____ and I use it to _____.

a poster/make my house beautiful.

What career moves and/or aspirations brought you to your current role?

Teaching art to patients living with chronic illness taught me patients and empathy. It also showed me the power in art to change an environment and lift someones spirits. After that experience I wanted to find a way to positively affect more people.

Share an insight on your life or life in general that you’ve discovered:

More than anything I want to be apart of a community of good people.

When do you feel like you’re at your best?

I am my happiest with good friends and family.

What is a quote that inspires you:

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou

How does your brand convey its unique personality?

We appreciate the weird we each bring to the table and encourage it.

Branding is __________.

a vibe.

Because of my experience doing __________, I tend to pay more attention than most people do to __________.

film and photo production/details

Describe a typical day at work:

There are no typical days. We are a small team of two and there is a lot to do.

What is the best professional lesson you’ve ever learned?

You are much stronger than you think.

What are the most exciting developments in your industry?

Affordable art for everyone!

What do you love about what your company brings to its clients?

We carefully curate our posters and use the best quality papers and packaging available. The Posters are beautiful pieces of art and radically priced making them accesible to all art lovers.

How do you start and/or end your day?

Looking at my husband/Saying good-night to my husband (He'll say looking at my phone)

The vice you’ll never give up is __________.

red wine

What is the best advice you’ve received recently?

We rise by lifting others.

make your own

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