Episode 16: How to Lean into The Ugly with Anderson Goin

The name "Ugly Art Co." comes from a pivotal moment when founder/owner and visual artist Anderson Goin overheard a friend's mother describe his early work as "just so ugly."

Rather than being discouraged, he reclaimed the term, associating ugliness with authenticity and human imperfection. After stepping away from the art world due to its inauthentic culture, Anderson returned with a mission to build community among talented Memphis-connected artists. His own artistic practice has evolved alongside Ugly's growth, as interactions with the collective's diverse artists have made him more intentional while maintaining his immediate, raw style that changes frequently—he gets bored easy but thrives on the collaborative energy that continuously feeds his creative process.

We talk about Anderson's journey from art world disillusionment to "soul-sucking" corporate jobs before returning to create the supportive creative environment he craved. He shares the challenges and triumphs of opening the Ugly Art Co. gallery space, crediting developers from cnct. design who took a chance on his vision. We discuss his “Home” exhibition featuring nostalgic childhood memories and how he balances gallery responsibilities with his creative work. Anderson explains how his parents shaped his artistic development—his father giving him courage to take creative risks and his mother providing emotional grounding. He emphasizes Ugly's mission to create a welcoming space where people don't feel "unwanted" or "stupid" as they often do in traditional galleries, programming diverse events to keep experiences fresh.