Meet Eric Clift-Thompson | Artist, Writer, and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Clift-Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
As a queer, neurodivergent child who grew up sheltered and in a rural area, I often felt isolated and disconnected from the world around me. That experience has made me seek community in important aspects of my life. Community is an essential part of being human, and this has influenced both my artistic and teaching practices. With my artwork, I make something niche and indulgent with the hope that someone else will see it, connect with it, and in turn connect with me. The honesty and vulnerability of putting something out there that is so connected to your sense of self and not knowing whether anyone else will care about it is a challenge. However, the connections that occur, when they happen, are core to the purpose of my art; without these interactions my work is incomplete.

For teaching, I believe in building a community within the classroom. Fostering a learning environment where people feel connected, challenged, and empowered allows students to take risks and grow in new and exciting ways. Building a continuous dialogue with and between my students also allows me to respond to their unique needs and makes students more effectively communicate with me and their peers. This fosters a space of mutual learning and care that sets them up for success both in the classroom and beyond to their professional lives.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve shared a bit about my journey in a previous interview, so I don’t want to repeat myself too much. In short, I’m a small town graphic designer turned big city zinester. I’ve lived in Ohio all my life, but Columbus is the first city I’ve lived in. It’s here in Columbus that I earned my MFA, started my professional art practice, and began teaching. While illustration and printmaking are important to my art practice, zines are at the heart of what I do. They’re excellent vessels for human connection and storytelling, and there’s practically no limit to what you can do with them. I also appreciate their historic association with activism, and their focus on community over profit. My zines include a wide variety of work, ranging from poetry to playlists, true crime, short essays, comics, and more. Macabre subjects, particularly vampires, and themes of anti-capitalism and identity often ties these projects together. Additionally, to increase access, some of my zines can be read for free on my website!

My next big project will be my first graphic novel. I don’t want to give away too much, but it follows a castrato in 18th century Tuscany and the mercenary sent to kill him. This project is super exciting for me, not only due to the content but also because I received a grant to fund a research trip for it! This winter I will be spending about a week in Italy, and it is my first time traveling. I really hope that this trip will add a richness to the book that I wouldn’t be able to achieve from the States. Stay tuned, and be sure to check it out when it’s finished!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Firstly, we’d have to go Club185. Hands-down the best burger I’ve ever had, and the prices are great. Pierogi Mountain and Mark Pi’s are some other good places to eat, and I’m also a huge fan of Buckeye Donuts. I like to thrift, and there are lots of places to stop in Columbus. I’ve made some awesome finds at the Goodwill Outlet, and Out of the Closet is a thrift store with a good cause. There are great record stores in Columbus, too! I get so many records from Used Kids’ dollar section, and it’s fun to pop in when they have pizza and live music. Most people know about the Book Loft in German Village, but some other great stops for book lovers are Bookspace, Prologue, and the main library. While the main library is a great resource for the community (and the best library I’ve been in), it also has discounted books for sale in the gift shop. Near the main library there is also a place called Golden Hobby where you can find lots of items handmade by members of the Columbus community. Additionally, Franklinton Fridays are a fun stop if you’re interested in local creators! Art and music events pop up around Columbus all of the time, and you can find some great events if you know where to look.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly, I owe so much of who I am to educators, particularly college professors. Whether during my undergraduate or graduate education, professors have not only made me a better artist but also a better person. My favorite professors have challenged me and opened my eyes to new worlds of information and opportunities, but they also ensured that I was cared for. As someone without a good support system, these acts of kindness were essential to my academic success and personal survival. This is part of why I chose to be a professor! To be able to give that value to someone else would be a great honor, and it feels like I am returning the favor for all that educators have done- and still do- for me.

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