Life & Work with Annie Schmerber-Corrington of Downtown Saint Joseph, Missouri

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Schmerber-Corrington.

Hi Annie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been a visual arts teacher in public schools for 16 years. About 4 years ago, I started getting the “what else can I do with an art degree” feeling. Then covid hit. I, like so many others, went through a life re-evaluation and realized I really enjoyed getting back to just waking up and making art. I began to think about how I could do that as a business and bring that feeling to others by creating a studio space. My undergrad degree is in fibers, and I have created quilts, specifically t-shirt quilts, for years. So with that as my spark, I started looking for a space to both continue quilting and also give classes. Historically, quilting was done socially, so in a way, I’m looking to bring people together again through creating. In December 2021, I found a building in Downtown St. Joseph. Obtained the key in January and started spending weekends getting set up. I opened my doors in April 2022, as school was ending in May, and have worked on growing my students and network ever since.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would never be so bold as to say it was smooth. Most, if not all, of the struggles are self-inflicted. I am learning all I can about the business side of this venture. I have had to switch from an educator mindset to that a business mindset in a short time, and I’m still learning every day. Getting connected early to amazing mentors at our local college, Missouri Western, and meeting other business owners in our downtown area that strive to help our community grow is a blessing. I would not be as far in this journey as I am without their guidance and support.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally, I have my undergrad in visual arts with a fibers emphasis and my master’s degree in education from Truman State University. As an educator in K-12 schools, I have had the pleasure of teaching a wide variety of topics and media through the years. I also have a love of theater and dance that has led me to also work in both community theater and middle school theater through the years.

My personal artistic work stems from an early love of clothing design. I wanted to learn to sew and make my own clothing as a child. That led to a high school job in an alteration shop which grew into a fascination with fabrics and, specifically, the manipulation and surface design of fabric in college. I dye and print my own fabric to be used in quilts, wall hangings, and more sculptural art pieces. I use the thread as a drawing medium to further embellish the surface of materials.

What sets my studio apart from others is that I focus on repurposing fabrics and teach others how to turn their own memories, either through t-shirts or other materials, into artwork they can use or enjoy. I have completed or repaired old quilts and reconstructed or redesigned them to have a new life. Recently, I’ve had an increase in groups wanting classes to make their own t-shirt quilts for their graduating senior, painting parties, and birthday parties where I customize projects based on the child’s interests.

Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can support me by scheduling a party, coming to take a class, or getting a group together for a quilt-making retreat. I very much would like to collaborate with other artisans who would like to teach a class or two on their specialty.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artattackstudiollc.com
• Instagram: artattackstudiollc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artattackstudiollc

Image Credits
Lura Landis Photography https://www.facebook.com/luralandisphotography