Meet the Artist, Shoshana Church | Artspace Southern Illinois Women’s Exhibition

Exhibition: Joy & Discovery—Diverse Expression

Celebrating the art of seven Southern Illinois women artists

Meet Featured Artist: Shoshana Church

Shoshana Church believes that each person has something they are meant to do, and her journey to becoming a professional artist is an inspiration and a reminder to us all to follow that still small voice inside. While creativity has been an important aspect throughout her life, including cross-stitching, sewing, woodworking, and stained-glass work—she admired artistic painting yet doubted her own ability, instead navigating a journey that took her through diverse roles spanning preschool teacher, healthcare, education, and holistic wellness before she began painting with acrylics about five years ago, starting with tutorials and gaining an understanding that art truly was that “something” for her. Compelled to go further, she entered the Milan Art Mastery Program and became a professional artist a year later.

Church’s art is rich with layered imagery and meaningful details. With her faith being an important aspect of her life, it flows naturally into her work; woven into her pieces, adding personal connection in ways that feel organic. Viewers often tell her that the longer they look at a piece, the more they discover. Her paintings invite individuals to find their own meaning in the art, which is a fulfilling part of sharing her work.

People share that Church’s art “brings them joy” and that they can’t stop looking because they continue to find new details.

Beautiful Things to View

The inspiration for Church’s pieces comes in different ways—sometimes as an idea that grows, which she allows to lead her where it wants to go, other times through a line of scripture that inspires a direction with the added imagery and themes that emerge. When asked what it means to be able to show her work in a space like Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip, she shared that:

We cannot survive without beautiful things to look at, without art, and without places to be able to view beauty.

Elevating Women’s Voices

Reflecting on being a woman in the arts, Church spoke about the qualities women often carry—care, nurturing, love, and a willingness to sacrifice—and how these can flow into the art they create. She described the healing nature of art, especially given her work as a physician’s assistant and her holistic view of healing. She explained that many women have experienced trauma in some form, and she believes art becomes a powerful release.

“[Art provides a way] that we can elevate our voices.”

Visit our exhibition and immerse yourself in the world that Church creates—seeing it in person offers a depth and perspective that can’t be captured in a photo.

See Her Work On View Now & Pieces for Purchase—Make an Impact

Church’s meaningful art is on full display now at Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip, with select pieces for purchase. Stop by to view a selection of her artwork, alongside work from other remarkable Southern Illinois women artists.

Plus, support these local artists and our work as a cultural arts nonprofit with your purchase.