Kristal Frisque '02

Why did you open Art Defined?

I opened it because I wanted to give the community something artistic to do. I think people can create, but art can be intimidating, so I want to alleviate that pressure and give them a creative outlet.

What does Art Defined mean to you?

It allows me to express my creative side and share that with the community and also empowers community members to be able to do the same. A lot of kiddos in the Galesburg area aren't necessarily sports oriented or involved in certain activities, and I wanted to give them something a little different to work on. That's important to me. 

What was your major? Why did you choose that?

Studio art. I chose it because I've always been artistically inclined. That's a focus of mine. 

What brought you to Knox?

I love ceramics. I liked the structure of the program, it seemed really solid. I looked at Knox’s ceramics studio, and I loved the setup. Knox is even more gorgeous now than when I was there. Prior to the construction of the Whitcomb Art Center, the art departments had been spread across campus in several facilities. 

Is there any person or experience from your time at Knox that stands out as particularly impactful for you?

Tetsuya Yamada, assistant professor of art, was the ceramics professor before Mark Holmes, who is the chair and associate professor of art. I was Yamada’s teaching assistant. He was a tough cookie. He is memorable.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Do what you want to do. Open a business for the good of the community, not just for yourself.