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

Hi Jenna, why did you pursue a creative career?
I was raised in the arts, so for me, pursuing a creative + artistic life wasn’t something I questioned…until adulthood, when I had to face the inevitable “will I ever be able to make a living doing this??” Much in the same way that some kids take for granted that they will one day work a 9-5 job and rise up the corporate ladder, because that is what they are exposed to, I always assumed there would be some level of artistry in my life–because that is what I was exposed to. And with artistry, hustle. I watched my dad make a career of his love for music, and was affected deeply by the fact that no matter what else was going on, he felt aligned with his soul’s purpose. Over time, I have begun to see anything and everything as an extension of creativity–whether it is pursuing the arts outright, or simply finding an innovative way to solve a problem at work or in relationships. I’m grateful to be in the position where I can merge my artistic passions with my professional goals. The hustle never stops, but it’s a good hustle. My soul feels happy.

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 often joke that I am a “Renaissance man,” simply because I am so reluctant to identify with one artistic medium over another–but if I were to simplify and hone in on one common thread, it is storytelling. Over the years, I have worked as a dance teacher and choreographer, small group facilitator, event producer, and grant writer–and what they all have in common is a dedication to pulling true stories out, and creating community spaces where others feel safe to process their experiences in art. I am the founder and host of Backbone Storytelling, a local pop-up where people gather to tell true stories, names drawn at random from a bowl, with the theme always loosely centering around the body. It has been an absolute joy to watch this project grow and gather steam. It reinforces my faith in humanity, listening to others — previously deemed “stranger,” or “different” — tell their story in their own words and leave with more empathy than they came with.

In recent years, I have focused more and more on writing, which was my first true love (and probably my first true foe, as is often the case with writing)…especially in light of the upcoming release of my first collection, “Cancer Moon: How I Survived the Best Years of My Life.” (She Writes Press, Sept 2024). This book is a cumulation of the experiences I went through in my twenties, some silly and some harrowing, and I am proud of the work I’ve done to get to the point where I am ready to release it into the world. It was not easy, but I didn’t expect it to be–and along the way, it has been fun. Like many women in the arts, I have wrestled with the inner critic and inner “good girl” who sometimes hesitates to tell uncomfortable truths for fear of displeasing someone. But it’s worth it in the end, to be free.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate this story to Jill Littlewood, who acted as a mentor during an especially potent and vulnerable time in my young life and professional development. I moved back to Santa Barbara, my hometown, at age 23–and was flailing in that limbo between childhood and adulthood. At the time, Jill and her husband ran an informal Artist-in-Residence opportunity where they offered subsidized rent in their incredible house in exchange for dedication to an artistic endeavor. They believed young artists deserved an opportunity to find their footing without spending an arm-and-a-leg on rent, and in a town like Santa Barbara, that is worth its weight in gold. I lived in their magical attic for just over a year, and during that time, was able to co-create a weekly open-mic series called “Take Five,” which became the basis for nearly every community arts endeavor I’ve attempted since. I witnessed Jill’s long-term partnership up close, which taught me so much about marriage, accountability, and trust. They pushed each other to keep creating in new mediums, which in turn opened me up to explore new mediums as well. I wouldn’t be who I am today without Jill and her family.

Website: https://www.jennatico.com

Instagram: @jennaticowrites, @backbonestorytelling

Image Credits
Lerina Winter
Carly Otness

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