Cat Todd is co-founder of Whereyart.net. Her goal is to build an online digital gallery in support of local independent artists, focusing on driving sales and opportunities to keep artists working and in New Orleans. She is a practicing graphic designer with twelve years of experience, in both a corporate environment and as an independent artist. A native of the city, she holds a BFA in Graphic Design from Auburn University. In addition to co-founding Where Y’Art, Cat owns and operates Mama Roux Studio, a self-sustaining, full-service graphic design studio specializing in custom creative integrated branding and design for print and web media. Cat was a recipient of a AIGA award for design excellence.

Collin Ferguson is a co-founder of Where Y’Art, LLC. In 2000 she moved from Alexander City, Alabama to New Orleans to attend Tulane University AB Freeman School of Business, where she received a BSM in marketing. From 2005-2011, she traveled to twelve countries, teaching English and learning Spanish and Thai before returning home to New Orleans. She founded Birds of a Feather NOLA in 2011, focusing on feather hair pieces, adornments, encaustic painting, and photography. Within a year of launching Birds of a Feather NOLA, she become a self-sustaining artist. She realized that her true place in being a part of rebuilding New Orleans involved providing artists with access to entrepreneurial training and the resources necessary to build and sustain a successful business.

The Opportunity/Challenge

Whereyart.net is a catalyst for local art communities. Whereyart.net connects New
Orleans artists with the human beings that love our city, our culture and our art.

The Impact

• Launched an online platform for local artists
• Opened a physical gallery space on Julia Street to showcase the work of select member artists
• Signed over 112 paid members artists (and counting!)
• Sold over 8,000 in art and raised $57,000 in external financing