Last Call

Yasmin Goris, artist and arts educator

Sarah Connell Sanders

Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

Yasmin Goris works in the biotech industry by day and dominates the Worcester art scene by night. Her youth workshops have become increasingly popular with offerings such as neon acrylic pour parties, Bob Ross-inspired paint nights, and art-centric birthday celebrations. Goris is also an active member on the Worcester Arts Council.

How did you end up in Worcester?

I moved to Worcester from Brooklyn, New York, when I was 10 years old. I went to East Middle and then Worcester Voke. I am an import, but I basically grew up my entire adult life here.

What sort of art is your specialty or your passion?

I use more of a fluid acrylic; I’m focused on abstract art. My greatest passion is teaching. Education is my number one. Anytime I learn a new technique, I try to put a workshop together so I can tap into my community. I feel like, one: my workshops can be a little bit pricey and I really want to give kids the opportunities that I didn’t have when I was growing up. And, two: I have such a strong tie to Worcester and building up this community has become my biggest focus as I move forward and expand my business. Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of supporting and creating solid relationships with the creatives from El Salon and Sidenote that have helped cultivate amazing programing and community at The Bridge. It’s important for our diverse community to have a place that is reflective of their interests, empowering them to truly explore and express themselves in a way that many organizations have failed at.

I know there have been some concerns about the safety of the building for youth programming, but the community they’ve built is so strong.

Although the future of a permanent location is still unknown, the community that has been built will continue to be fortified. They are a resilient bunch and have inspired an entire community to fight for what they believe in.

How did you get involved with the Worcester Arts Council?

I did a lot of volunteer work in the arts community when I was living in Boston. When I moved back to Worcester, I really wanted to start connecting with the art community here and I started looking for volunteer opportunities. I saw a post, inquired, and ended up serving on the board of this organization, which is fantastic. It was a great start for me to really tap into Worcester through an outlet that can be extremely impactful.

Are there a lot of parallels between your day job in the biotech industry and your life as an artist?

I’ve been in the biotech industry for 13 years. I’m a supervisor for one of the discovery teams of Charles River Laboratories. There is some creativity that is absolutely necessary in the world of science, right? Because most of the work starts with a hypothesis and you’re trying to get to a conclusion. My approach with my art is very experimental. I use my materials to set the tone and the direction. I am very free and very fluid, but I have some structure behind the process. Setting rules for myself and following certain guidelines allows me to be more free in the art world.

Are you completely self-taught or have you had mentors along the way?

Well, no. At least, not as a kid. I think that’s the reason why I’ve had some hesitation in regards to my approach with the arts, because I never saw anyone growing up who was working in this field. It’s just not something that I was exposed to. When I became an adult and I began connecting with other creatives, I think that was the opportunity for me to see things in a different light and really use the energy from other creatives to collaborate and move my ideas forward. I think that has been the most instrumental part of my progress — tapping into the collective, because I am open to feedback and I genuinely care about what this community wants and needs. The younger generation is my strongest inspiration. I try to seek out what they’re looking for and what their struggles are, and bridge the gap between education and the arts. Also, art therapy. People often think, “If you’re not an artist, you’re not a creative.” I’m here to show them that you can be a creative without being an artist.

How did you continue to showcase your art and conduct workshops throughout the pandemic?

I was really lucky that I have a great support system which allowed me to continue my workshops through private connections. Giving people who I love an art experience during a time of crisis made me ultra-happy. As far as my role on the Worcester Arts Council, in some ways, COVID aided in the grant process and allowed us to streamline certain resources. Facilitating communication and conversations with new applicants became easier in a way that we will continue to implement long after the pandemic. We really did our due diligence to make sure that we reassessed our expectations. As a group, we’re the number one fans of supporting the arts. We know that the artists are struggling right now. We felt we had to go above and beyond.

What are your goals for the future?

My path is to continue hosting workshops and offering experiences, especially within Worcester, and collaborating regularly with other artists. I keep asking, “How can I work with other creatives to form a community where people can feel encouraged to participate?” And “How can we bring more exposure to elements of the arts that might not be as accessible to the people who need it the most?”

Where can we find you on the internet?

My website is www.guzangi.com and I’m on Instagram at @guzangiartstudios.

Yasmin Goris stands outside of “The Bridge” located at 300 Southbridge St., Worcester. PHOTO BY DYLAN AZARI