Victoria opens up about navigating self-doubt, releasing perfectionism, and learning to move forward even when confidence feels out of reach. Drawing from recent experiences in her own life and career, she reflects on the pressure to have it all figured out, why confidence isn't always linear, and the importance of recognizing when to push forward and when to give yourself permission to rest. A candid reminder that you don't have to feel fearless or have everything figured out to keep growing.

To learn more about Victoria's 1:1 Mentorship Program, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/mentorship

To enroll in The Visionary Community, visit:
visionaryartcollective.com/visionary-community-enroll

Victoria J. Fry is a New York City–based painter, educator, curator, and founder of Visionary Art Collective, New Visionary Magazine, and Warnes Contemporary. She has supported thousands of artists through exhibitions, publications, and mentorship.

Instagram: @visionaryartcollective / @warnescontemporary / @newvisionarymag
Newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

In this thoughtful conversation, multimedia artist Stella Chang shares how creativity became a powerful tool for healing, self-reflection, and reconnecting with herself after a lupus diagnosis changed the course of her life. Stella reflects on her journey from a nearly two-decade career in fashion back to fine art, and how mindfulness, meditation, and creative practice have helped her navigate chronic illness and build greater resilience.

Here’s what we discuss:

1. Using art as a tool for healing, self-reflection, and processing difficult experiences
2. Letting go of productivity and embracing the creative process without attachment to the outcome
3. Cultivating mindfulness, resilience, and self-trust through a consistent creative practice
4. Stella’s Through the Looking Glass series and the role of imagination in navigating challenging experiences
5. Bringing meditation principles into art-making and helping others reconnect with their innate creativity

Stella Chang is a multimedia artist based in Jersey City whose work explores healing, mindfulness, memory, and the transformative potential of creativity. After earning her BFA from NYU, Stella spent nearly two decades working in the fashion industry before a lupus diagnosis led her to return to her fine art practice. Drawing from her own experiences with chronic illness and childhood trauma, she uses painting, drawing, and mindful creative practices to explore imagination, resilience, and our ability to reconnect with ourselves through art. Her current work also incorporates principles of meditation, encouraging others to use creativity as an accessible pathway toward mindfulness and self-reflection.

Website: artbystellachang.com
IG: @artbystellachang

Learn More about Stella's Work -

One Breath, One Line: Mindful Practices
Stella’s YouTube playlist featuring mindful art practices designed to support healing and self-reflection, including practices for trauma survivors.
Explore the playlist on YouTube

Newark Arts Festival | October 7–11
Stella’s painting Unknown Face 16 will debut at the Paul Robeson Galleries at Express Newark as part of the Newark Arts Festival.
Learn more about the Newark Arts Festival

GlassRoots Teaching Artist Residency
Stella will be teaching at GlassRoots Newark Glass Art Center as part of its Teaching Artist Residency Program from September 10–December 17. High school–age students can learn more about participating through the YES Program.
Learn more about the GlassRoots YES Program

Visit our website: visionaryartcollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @visionaryartcollective + @newvisionarymag
Join our newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter

In this insightful conversation, artist and arts professional Kelly Olshan shares her journey of founding the Arts Career Incubator and her approach to helping artists build meaningful, sustainable careers. We discuss strategic planning, relationship building, grants, entrepreneurship, and the importance of defining success on your own terms.

Here’s what we discuss:

1. How to define success and strategically plan your creative career
2. Building and maintaining meaningful relationships in the art world
3. Navigating grants, professional development, and creative entrepreneurship
4. Kelly’s journey from working in arts organizations to founding the Arts Career Incubator
5. Creating opportunities by making your goals and interests visible to others

Kelly Olshan is an artist and arts professional and the founder and director of the Arts Career Incubator, an initiative providing accessible professional development programming for artists and creatives across disciplines and career stages. Throughout her career, she has worked with organizations including the New York Foundation for the Arts, Queens Council on the Arts, Creative Capital, and Art21, supporting artists through professional development and career-building programs. As a practicing artist herself, Kelly brings firsthand experience to her work with creatives, including her recent museum commission with the Long Island Children’s Museum. Through the Arts Career Incubator, she offers intensive programs, workshops, and one-on-one support designed to help artists develop the practical tools and strategies needed to build careers on their own terms.

Website:artscareerincubator.com
IG: @artscareerincubator

Registration link -
Click here to register for “So You’re a Full-Time Creative Entrepreneur” Panel Discussion on October 1, 2026

Instagram: @visionaryartcollective / @warnescontemporary / @newvisionarymag
Newsletter: visionaryartcollective.com/newsletter