We had the good fortune of connecting with Cheryl Derricotte and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cheryl, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Making art makes me happy. I enjoy studio practice tremendously. I have a research-based practice, so I love diving into new topics, often historical, to create work.

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.
I am a visual artist and my favorite mediums are glass, paper and textiles. I am best known as the creator of “Freedom’s Threshold,” a monument to Harriet Tubman at the new transit-oriented development Gateway at Millbrae Station. Unveiled on March 16, 2023, it is the first sculptural tribute to the abolitionist in glass.

I currently have work on display at the Museum of Glass (MoG) in Tacoma, WA, in the ground-breaking MoG exhibition, “A Two Way Mirror: Double Consciousness in Contemporary Glass by Black Artists.”

California is still in art fair season, having recently wrapped up Frieze in Los Angeles. I am excited to be a guest curator for the next major show: the San Francisco Art Fair! From April 25-28, 2024, the San Francisco Art Fair will take place at historic Fort Mason on the waterfront. Details can be found here: https://sanfranciscoartfair.com

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spots in Los Angeles include LACMA, The Broad and Craft Contemporary for museum shows. Sean Kelley, Luis de Jesus, Patricia Sweetow and Hauser-Wirth are my favorite galleries and not to be missed. In San Francisco, the de Young and the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) top my museum list, and The Minnesota Street Project is a fantastic place for a full day of gallery hopping.

I am a vegan, and both cities have extensive vegan options when it is time to eat. Nic’s on Beverley and Crossroads Kitchen in Los Angeles; Shizen in San Francisco and Millennium in Oakland are all top notch.

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?
I am grateful for the mentorship of Nato Thompson. During the height of the pandemic, he built a global art community through The Alternative Art School. (https://thealternativeartschool.net)

Website: https://www.cherylderricottestudio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylderricottestudio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylderricotte/

Image Credits
Nye’ Lyn Tho Donald Felton, Almac Camera Keay Edwards Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.