CALENDAR
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NOTEWORTHY
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RECIPES
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FE ATURES
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EVENTS
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GOOD NEIGHBOR
CU T TING ED GE A RT OXFORD ARTIST FRANK ESTRADA TALKS ABOUT HIS ARTISTIC BACKGROUND AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES HE’S DISCOVERED THIS YEAR. WR IT TE N BY E M I LY WEL LY
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE WORTHEM
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rtwork has been part of Frank Estrada’s life since childhood. Now, at age 32, he is the visual resources specialist and gallery curator in the University of Mississippi’s Department of Art and Art History; has a solo exhibit on display through July at The MAX in Meridian; and was recently named a South Arts’ Emerging Leader of Color for 2022.
Q: When did you realize art could translate into a career for you? A: I have made art my whole life; I still have artwork from when I was in kindergarten. Once I switched my major to art in college, I knew I could make it into a career. I participated in a few art festivals and did 36
INVITATION | APRIL 202 2
well while in college. Now, I create digital illustrations more than prints. It is easier to travel with a tablet than all the tools needed for prints.
Q:
Is printmaking your primary medium? And how did you get into it as an art form? A: Printmaking is my primary medium, specializing in the relief technique. I carve into wood or linoleum mostly. I had no idea what printmaking was before being introduced to it during my sophomore year of college. I enjoy the detailed handmade aspect of it; I find carving very therapeutic. Recently, I've been experimenting with AR (Augmented Reality) and digital 3D. Continued on page 38
