Introducing Jessie Quantrille
Jessie Quantrille is a 24 year old artist originally from Baton Rouge who lives in Lafayette, LA. A multi disciplinary creative, Jessie is a dancer, choreographer, and graphic designer by trade. She was a competitive dancer from age of 4 to 18 and has trained in New York and Los Angeles on scholarship under some of the best instructors and professionals in the dance industry. After graduating high school, Jessie eventually ended up in Lafayette where she enrolled as an art student at UL, and started her first job as a fitness instructor at Basin Arts. While studying visual arts and graphic design, she was awarded Silver and Gold ADDY’s for her student work. At the same time, Jessie continued to teach dance at multiple studios and traveling to teach and choreograph at studios across Southern Louisiana. Exploring professional performance opportunities locally, Jessie participated in 4 different dance installations with space Lafayette. In 2020, Jessie became an assistant director for Distinction Dance Company, a pre-professional training program serving students 4-18 across Acadiana. Jessie graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Visual Arts concentrating in Graphic Design. She immediately jumped into freelance work, creating print and digital media for various clients, and has recently gained agency experience in 2022. Jessie loves to create design the same way she creates movement: with whimsy, fun, and bright expression. A life long student, she wishes to keep gaining experience any way she can and learning from a multitude of people along the way.
Who makes up your art circle?
My art circle is made up by everyone who has spent time with me in some way creatively. You learn so much from other people even if the experience was only brief.
How do you expand your art circle?
I feel like my dance students have expanded my art circle in such a special way. Each one has their own special touch and it makes me excited for the future.
What value do you see in having a creative community?
Having a creative community is so important!! Art is such a safe space and can be one for people who have never created art themselves. Some people can relax and recharge through creating music, dance, art— whatever does it for them. And other people can escape into what they creatives created.
How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?
I think that I always try to meet everyone where they’re at that day. And then I try to figure out how we can make it better, what I can do to make it better. I like to make a culture of trust whenever I am interacting with others creatively.
