Terri Simmons

Terri, married to her grade school sweetheart Michael, 43 years ago in May 1981. Together, they have 1 daughter, 4 sons, 5 daughters-in-law, and 18 grandchildren. Terri's artistic journey began early; her mother noticed her drawing skills at the tender age of 2. Despite facing detention in grade school and high school for prioritizing drawing over schoolwork, Terri persisted. She earned an Art Scholarship to Columbia College in Chicago. However, her artistic capabilities were challenged by an instructor who asserted not only a lack of talent but also questioned her potential to be an artist. 

Predictably, this disheartening experience significantly impacted a young Terri, prompting her to contemplate alternative paths for her life. Choosing to delve into the realm of Child Care, she not only obtained her Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education but also established and operated a thriving 24-hour Child Care Center and Group Home for three decades. Throughout her successful venture, catering to hundreds of families, Terri consistently incorporated art classes and programs into the core of her curriculum.

As time progressed, Terri diversified her business pursuits. She excelled in network marketing, authored numerous books as a self-publisher, and dedicated over 15 years to teaching in and around Chicago City Colleges. Concurrently, she continued to indulge in sporadic drawing whenever inspiration struck her.

Upon learning that the renowned artist Annie Lee had a gallery in a nearby town, Terri made the decision to pay a visit. Stepping into the gallery proved to be a transformative experience for how she perceived her own artistic abilities. Welcoming her at the entrance, Ms. Lee engaged in a conversation as they strolled through the gallery, candidly sharing her own experiences of artistic rejection with Terri. As their interaction concluded, the master artist conveyed to Terri that she possessed all the essential qualities to become a distinguished visual artist and follow in her footsteps. Terri embodies tenacity, spirit, creativity, and a strong will, with God at the core of her endeavors, ensuring success. Even setbacks serve as valuable learning experiences, propelling her to persist and move forward without succumbing to discouragement. 

Today, Terri has transformed her artwork into a business, Terri Galleries, where she showcases her favorite pieces and combines her art with her life coaching practice. Her mission is to encourage women to share their stories.