BoddieWorks Creations and Consulting: Community connection through the healing power of art

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Lydia Boddie-Rice has always seen herself as a creative person.

“Once you have the roots of creativity and you’re also encouraged to explore that kind of deeper inner self, that part doesn’t go away no matter how divergent your path might be,” Boddie-Rice said.

Today Boddie-Rice serves as president and creative principal of BoddieWorks Creations and Consulting, a multi-faceted business that serves as the setting for her versatile work in visual art and consulting.

Boddie-Rice attended Brown University, where she earned a BA degree in art with a minor in psychology. In addition, during her senior year, she was the first Black student to participate in the Art Education exchange program at RI School of Design, gaining her K-12 teaching certification. She independently designed an educational credential to support her pursuit of professional work in art therapy, though the field was undeveloped at the time. Boddie-Rice is familiar with being a step ahead of the current though, and rather than letting it discourage her, she learned to embrace it.

“As my life has unfolded, it’s always been ahead of where anyone else can take me. It allows me to be the master of my own universe,” Boddie-Rice said.

Boddie-Rice served one term as RCSD Board of Education Commissioner advancing arts education policy, while handling a full corporate career, using her creative side to problem-solve, manage people and approach problems in a unique way. Even when she wasn’t creating art, she utilized her creative perspective to bring untraditional approaches to marketing and community outreach and engagement as a Public Affairs executive at a local utility company.

For Boddie-Rice, art and creativity permeate into every aspect of life. So much so that she spearheaded the company’s social entrepreneurship diversity and inclusion initiative focused on rowing with a retired colleague, who was the Executive Director of the Genesee Waterways Center. The program became a signature brand and national phenomenon with even the crew boats and crew uniforms embellished with waves—the signature logo of Cross Currents Minority Rowing.

In 2010, she retired from her corporate career and spent the following years managing the rowing program, consulting and dabbling in running a small arts organization. It wasn’t until 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, that she decided to fully immerse herself in her artistic study. She opened her downtown studio, where she now runs BoddieWorks, and put every ounce of energy into her practice. During an isolating, emotional time, her studio became her safe haven.

“I see that, especially with young people who don’t have any other way to express their pain or emotions, art can do that without relying on your voice,” said Boddie-Rice. “Your voice becomes the extension of what you put on paper.”

Boddie-Rice’s primary mode of art is collage work, a method she appreciates because it meets people where they are.

“There are no mistakes in collage,” said Boddie-Rice, “It’s a personal assemblage of what happens to attract you that day or what you need to say that day.”

Boddie-Rice uses collage and other mediums to create her 2D works, including prints and canvases, and her signature 3D works in the form of butterflies and kites.

Kites in particular have been a mode of art that has taken Boddie-Rice on an unexpected journey. The first kite she made, titled “Triumph,” is what she calls “a love story” between herself and her muse, dancer Nicky Ferguson, whom she met at Garth Fagan dance studio. When Ferguson shared her cancer diagnosis with Boddie-Rice, she knew she wanted to transform a photo of Ferguson and turn the diagnosis into a picture of triumph that was positive and healing for both of them. Soon, others transfixed by the powerful healing quality of the work, wanted kites of their own.

So far, Boddie-Rice has created 14 kites, which comprised part of her recent solo show entitled “Rising on the Wind: The Messengers.” Each kite has a healing story and also inspired the most engagement with the Rochester community that Boddie-Rice’s art has conjured thus far. Audiences connected with the kites in a space where community engagement and healing could come together.

“There’s a piece of my soul in each and every creative work that I do. Some of my followers say each piece is like getting a hug from me,” Boddie-Rice said.

While art is a fundamental part of Boddie-Rice and her business, she also sees a lot of value and fulfillment in her consulting practice. She spends a lot of time working on artist residencies and with young people. An important lesson she teaches fellow artists is to diversify their revenue streams and prioritize business strategizing.

“An artist needs to diversify their revenue streams, that’s one thing that I teach, said Boddie-Rice.” “If you’re counting on creating work, putting it in exhibition expecting it to sell, you’re not going to be able to sustain yourself. That’s why many artists work other jobs or sell merchandise; you have to find other sources of income. There has to be a great deal of thought into business strategy. That’s one of the things I spend a lot of time teaching emerging artists.”

Going forward, Boddie-Rice wants to continue her consulting while also focusing on commissions and amplifying her social media presence. Her eyes are set on becoming a global brand for community healing through her art and non-clinical creative expression practice.

“Commissions are really important, to me I want to have the one-to-one personal experience of building a piece that people are already engaged with and love,” said Boddie-Rice. “I’m not waiting to have a 2D piece on the wall and say ‘Oh, maybe they’ll like it, maybe they won’t, maybe they’ll want it for their home or not.’ The kites and collages are ways that I can collaborate with my clients and build relationships.”

“It’s my own sense of community.”

To stay connected with Boddie-Rice, follow and engage with her on Instagram, @boddierice.

For more information about her art and consulting business or to purchase art and merchandise visit www.boddieworkscreations.com.

Emily Finnegan is a team member at LáLew Public Relations.

LáLew Public Relations, LLC is partnering with the RBJ on a monthly feature spotlighting Black and brown businesses. To suggest a business, please visit www.lalewpr.com and click on submit your story.