Local artist Erica Coffing is pursuing her passion for art as not just a hobby, but also a career.

Wanting to continue to beautify the area while inspiring others to do the same, Coffing believes art is more powerful and important than people realize. 

Trying to involve herself in the community as much as possible, Coffing is a board member for the nonprofit organization Full Tilt Arts in Rochester and the Heartland Artist organization in Plymouth.

Coffing is also working on various projects with the Logansport Art Association and the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce. Between community projects, commissioned paintings and teaching art classes, Coffing still managed to find the time recently to further her career as a professional artist with the Indiana Arts Commission. 

Artists participating in the program were encouraged to apply for a fellowship grant that would provide $2,000 towards a project of the artists choosing. Receiving the grant, Coffing plans to do a project focused on raising awareness and acceptance for the LGBTQ community through portraits of locals. Wanting to bring their hardships and triumphs to life on canvas, Coffing hopes the stories will help others in the community open up their minds and hearts to diversity. 

Coffing plans to show an exhibition of the project by late summer 2023 at the Native Nook in Rochester.