Jarrod Dortch

Jarrod Nicholas Dortch
Known forMural, Installation art, Contemporary Art
Notable workBlack Lives Matter street mural (Indianapolis)

Dr. Jarrod Nicholas "Snuggly Bear" Dortch[1] is an American visual artist based in Indianapolis, IN. He also is a professor at a community college and a business owner.[1] His work has been featured in We.The Culture, an exhibit at Newfields Indianapolis Museum of Art. Dortch also does a plethora of community work with his agricultural endeavor, Solful Gardens, an Indiana State Department of Agriculture-recognized Indiana Grown produce provider.[2] As a member of the Eighteen Art Collective, he has created art with the intent to leave a legacy, connect and heal.[3]

Early Life and Education

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Dortch was born in Springfield, Illinois but moved to Indianapolis in 1988.[4][5] Dr. Jarrod Dortch was inspired in childhood by his older brother, Phillip, to pursue art.[3] He adopted some of the stylistic choices like comic ink drawings from his brother that later developed into his own style that is less cartoony and more of an abstract form.[6][3] His brother passed away at age 18, and Dortch uses art as a way to continue his brother's legacy.[3] Dr. Jarrod Dortch received his Doctor of Education in Adult, Higher, and Community Education from Ball State University.[7]

Career

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Dortch has a vast career in art, education and agriculture. Dortch's first notable contribution as an artist was in the Indy 10 #BlackLivesMatter Mural on Indiana Avenue in 2020. He has been a part of many community events and projects since including, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, the Lilly Day of Service, NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Tournament as part of #SWISH and Butter at Indy's Home Court for Allstar weekend in 2023.[1][8] He is an affiliated community artist and gardener with Big Car Collaborative, which is a creative community builder established to cultivate and boost urban livability in Garfield Park, for local artists.[9] Dortch grew up helping his father who was a farmer and landscaper and this background aided him in starting a community garden turned business, Solful Gardens.[10] Dotch is a professor of communication at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, IN.[5][11] He has also curated for Art and Vinyl at Big Car and AUX at Hoy Polloy.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "MLK Day Special with Snuggy Bear Presents". IndyArtsGuide.org. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  2. ^ "Solful Gardens Offers Community a New Source for Fresh Produce - Farm Flavor". farmflavor.com. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Dr. Jarrod Dortch: Local Legend". discovernewfields.org. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  4. ^ "generations | Gregory & Appel". www.gregoryappel.com. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  5. ^ a b "Mixcloud". www.mixcloud.com. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  6. ^ We. The Culture: Dr. Jarrod Nicholas Dortch, retrieved 2024-02-27
  7. ^ "CONTENTdm". dmr.bsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  8. ^ "BUTTER at Indy's Home Court Artists". BUTTER 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  9. ^ "Big Car". IndyArtsGuide.org. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  10. ^ "Solful Gardens Offers Community a New Source for Fresh Produce - Farm Flavor". farmflavor.com. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  11. ^ Art of Protest Mural Artist - Dr. Jarrod Dortch, retrieved 2024-02-27