After four and a half years of working at Prep, Ms. Gillis will be leaving to embark on a new journey in the world of art. She will be teaming up with Alexandria, a real estate company that builds biotech buildings, to create fantastic pieces of art for a building called Juno Therapeutics Inc. Gillis says that the work involves science and math and has large scale works in the lobby. With her new job, she will be working full time in her studio to create masterpieces to showcase to all.

Ms. Gillis has been a practicing artist and went to graduate school for the arts. She says that being in the studio puts her in her “zen mode” and makes her feel happy. She believes that art is a great way for her to express her ideas. Her work varies from large-scale, large installation, painting, and drawing. When she creates her art, she pays attention to detail and makes them tell their own stories and hopes that viewers will acknowledge the work she puts into each piece. She also mentions that she does not have a favorite art medium. Instead, she uses “a combination of media as my ideas change and develop constantly. I’m always looking to experiment with materials in order to fully investigate my ideas throughout the studio process.”

The transition from Prep to her new job is challenging. She mentions that it is hard to leave teaching because she loves it. But then she adds that it is an “opportunity in my own professional life. It does not happen to all and it is a once in a life time opportunity to pursue work in the professional work.” She states that she will miss the students the most and that she had worked with such a talented and dedicated group of students. She also is going to miss her colleagues and says that she is “lucky to work at and institution where everyone is kind, dedicated, and supportive of the arts.”
Juno is located in South Lake Union at 307 Westlake Ave N #300, Seattle, WA 98109. Come check out her work sometime!
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