“Art is a beautiful and important language.”
– Tschaner Azubuike
Tucked behind the Arlington Museum of Art’s main gallery is the AMA gift shop. Like other museum gift shops, you can find souvenirs from current and past exhibitions including official exhibition catalogs, t-shirts, and collectibles. But unlike other museum gift shops, you can also discover beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces created by local artists.
The gift shop is thoughtfully curated by Kendall Quirk, AMA Director of Exhibitions and Registrar. Kendall is always on the lookout for artists whose work complements and enhances the storytelling of the exhibits in the Museum galleries.
In preparation for 30 Americans, Kendall was excited to meet Tschaner Azubuike, owner of 31:13. Tschaner is also a member of the Create Arlington artist coworking community.
“One of my personal favorite things about Tschaner is that none of her pieces are the same,” said Kendall. “She uses colors, patterns, and even words in her earrings and other jewelry pieces. She’s a small business owner, artist, and someone promoting sustainability and beauty in her work.”
Since Summer 2021, the AMA gift shop has proudly carried a selection of 31:13 jewelry, which Tschaner handcrafts from recycled paper and turns into wearable art. We recently caught up with the busy “artrepreneur” to learn more about her creative process.
Arlington Museum of Art: Your designs are so joyful! What or who inspires you?
Tschaner: My designs are honestly inspired by multiple things. Namely, music is a huge part of my daily life, and I tend to visualize colors when listening to it. I love turning my headphones up and going with the flow.
AMA: In addition to jewelry, you also create mixed media art pieces. How is the process of creating a mixed media piece the same as — and different from — creating jewelry?
Tschaner: The paper is prepped and rolled in a different way from my jewelry. When creating a mixed media piece, it has to be something I have a strong vision for due to the process being much longer. I definitely enjoy immersing myself in whatever subject I’m creating about as I work. My mixed media pieces are generally representations of things I learn along my life journey. I like to think of the canvas as my journal and play with different textures and depth.
AMA: Why is creating sustainably a priority for you?
Tschaner: Sustainability is important to me because we live in a time when we’ve come to a fork in the road with regard to how we decide to treat our earth. What I do is minuscule in the grand scheme of things. However, if my commitment to eco-consciousness can inspire many people to make small changes, it equals a huge impact!
AMA: Tell us about your nonprofit, Intentional Sisters DFW.
Tschaner: Intentional Sisters began in 2020 when there was a huge increase in women who had decided to permanently leave the workforce and start their own business. I began the group as a support for them as well as an educational resource to guide them through the journey. We also began doing outreach work at the end of last year, such as creating self-care kits for the women of the Arlington Life Shelter. The group is currently on pause, but I’m hoping by this summer things will get going again.
AMA: Why is art important?
Tschaner: Art is a beautiful and important language. Art creates bridges of understanding and taps into feelings in a way that nothing else can.
AMA: Why is community important?
Tschaner: When we engage as a community, it births perspective and the opportunity to invest in something outside of yourself. The people we can see and touch on a daily basis are the lives we have the best chance of impacting in a major way.
AMA: Your bio says you love traveling. What are a couple of your favorite destinations?
Tschaner: I absolutely love Santa Fe, New Mexico. The scenery is breathtaking and the charming downtown boutiques are enough to keep you busy for hours. My second would have to be Glenwood, Colorado. Both places have some of the best mountains you will ever see. With all of that being said, there is absolutely no place like Texas!
During Youth Art Month 2022, the AMA is waiving its admission fee, so feel free to come in and check out Tschaner’s work in our Gift Shop today!
Youth Art Month Museum Hours
March 9 – April 19, 2022
Tuesday – Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm
About the Arlington Museum of Art
The Arlington Museum of Art is dedicated to championing creativity and providing access to art for the educational enrichment and cultural development of our community.
