Meet Dinah Myers Schroeder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dinah Myers Schroeder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dinah, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risk has played an important part of my career. It allowed me to get opportunities that I might never have imagined possible. I applied and received multiple grants and scholarships that I didn’t think I would get in such a large pool of qualified applicants. However, by changing my mindset from negative to “why not me,” gave me the confidence to apply as well as visualize my goals.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is reflective of my life and journey to learn about who I am. I grew up not knowing about my own culture. I didn’t see art reflective of me, nor did I know who I was as an individual. With education and opportunities, I have grown both personally and professionally. I am most proud of my Soulful Panes public art project that I curated and worked from the ground up to bring it to fruition. I sat down with the regional county service director and other community members. I presented ideas to bring art to Wheaton’s Art and Entertainment District Soulful Panes derived from this meeting. I wanted to uplift Black women in a positive light. Soulful Panes is 64 windows of art on the Parks and Planning building in downtown Wheaton at 2425 Reedie Drive. I am one of the five female artists who have art larger than life on the building. I want communities to know the importance of showcasing their diversity and beauty.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a friend were visiting, I would take them to all the different locations to see my art and other local artists. We would go kayaking at Rocky Gorge or the Triadelphia Reservoir. In Columbia, we would visit the waterfront, take photos, and have a meal at one of the many selections at the mall. If we went to Baltimore’s inner harbor, there are several restaurants and water activities such as paddle boarding and lunch cruises. We could see performances right on the harbor or visit the Aquarium. Washington, DC, has many activities and options, from the national monuments to florals on the waterfront, performances, and tours. DC is known for its museums, and they are free. There is plenty to do because of the many states within a short distance. The options are plentiful.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County(AHCMC) gave me opportunities to grow exponentially as an artist. I took time off professionally to raise my three children, and getting back in and learning the digital language involved in running my art business late in life was daunting. AHCMC believed in me, and I used grant money to learn the nuances of digital marketing, build a website, and get my art professionally photographed. The grant was the springboard that has allowed me to blossom as a professional artist. I also want to thank my family, who have always been my inspiration and biggest supporters.

Website: Anotherdinahmytecreation.com

Instagram: Anotherdinahmytecreation

Facebook: Anotherdinahmytecreation

Image Credits
Jennifer Schroeder