Meghan Goulette

Gen Art is undoubtedly one of the coolest members clubs around with their unique parties in the art, fashion and film worlds. We've caught up with the newest team that makes Gen Art Chicago simply the best. Meet Meghan Goulette, Laura Lachman and Chance Woodward.

Who:  Meghan Goulette
Title:  Marketing & Business Development Manager
Neighborhood: River North

How long have you been at Gen Art?
Four months. I started in early December.

Tell us about the jobs you had previous to coming to Gen Art.
Prior to Gen Art I was working as an Account Manager at a marketing agency called Slack Barshinger. I moved to Chicago for that job after spending two years in Australia getting my master's degree.

What’s the best part about your job?
There are so many amazing things about working for Gen Art! I love being around people, so I would say that all of our fantastic members and the people we get to work with on events is the absolute best part. Also, the fact that what we do centers around discovering and supporting such talented emerging artists is really rewarding. 

What’s your neighborhood and what do you like about it?
I just moved to River North, a block away from the Merchandise Mart. I love all the amazing restaurants within walking distance like Naha, Frontera Grille, Coco Pazzo, Blue Water Grill and La Madia. I could go out to eat every night of the week.

What do you like most about living in Chicago?
Without a doubt it is the Summer! Chicago summers are amazing, especially all the festivals. I love that first day when it is warm enough to venture out without a coat and even the cynics are practically skipping around with big smiles.

Where is your dream travel spot and why?
Brisbane, Australia. I lived there for a few years before moving to Chicago and it will always hold a special place in my heart.  I am dying to get back and see old friends! 

What is your favorite annual party?
Outside of the amazing annual parties that Gen Art throws, I would have to say Redmoon Theater’s Spectacle Lunatique! It is the theater's annual gala and fundraiser. Redmoon has amazing set design, costumes and actors and they pull out all the stops for this party. It is like walking into a dream.

What is something people don’t know about you?
I adore hosting dinner parties at home, and I collect books about social etiquette. All of the women in my family are domestic goddesses. My mother is the most amazing hostess, I love watching her get ready for a dinner party. Everything is so well-prepared ahead of time and her focus is solely on taking care of her guests.  When she is hosted somewhere else, she brings the most amazing personal gifts as a thank you. Watching someone who exemplifies proper social etiquette is like art, sadly, it’s becoming a lost one.

What is your favorite art style and why?
I am definitely loving the Chicago street art scene at the moment.  Local artists like Artillery, Flip, Rejoice, The Grocer, Swiv, Solve, and Saro are using found objects such as particle board, old cabinets and broken street signs, to create vibrant pieces of art. These are artists who not only sell pieces, but also put them up all around the city for everyone to enjoy. A lot of people don’t notice it when they are out and about, but you should start paying attention. Check out New’d (1917 West Division) for a lot of these pieces, and monthly shows curated by Artillery.

What kind of music do you listen to most while working?
Sadly, my computer has broken speakers so I have zero control over the music that is playing in our office. Luckily, I share an office with people who have great taste so I never complain.  

What is your signature style?
My style is always changing, but I make sure that everything I wear represents me, or at least my mood at the time. Whatever I am wearing has to be appropriate to the situation and when in doubt I would ALWAYS rather be more dressed up than too casual.  I like classic looks with clean lines and shapes, which is why a lot of my core wardrobe stays with me for a while. I never buy an entire outfit as I see it displayed in a store, I would rather mix-and-match. I see style as a process, and recognize that it is constantly evolving.

Where do you shop most and what are key items that people should have in their wardrobes?
Since I am decorating a new place, most of my shopping time is spent at houseware boutiques. Zella Brown, Jonathan Adler and P.O.S.H. are my favorite haunts at the moment. When I do miss shopping of the fashion sort, I tend to gravitate toward accessories! I always have luck at Akira, their shoes are so fun. Also, you cannot beat Bess & Loie for bags, and the store is so much fun to hang out in! Key items that everyone should have in their wardrobe are Hane’s white ribbed tanks, American Apparel deep v-necks and, for the ladies, a little black dress of course.

Do you think money and style go hand in hand or can style never be bought?  Is it something you just have?
In my opinion, style is never something that can be bought. Some people think that high price or designer label equate to style.  Style is something you exude and live every day, not something you put on in the morning.

What can we look forward to from Gen Art this spring? fall?
Well, Shop Chicago is just around the corner. I am so excited! It is such a fun way to spend the day or evening…shopping, spa treatments, music, cocktails, what more do you need! The Gen Art Film Festival will also be back in June, so stay tuned for information on the great film selections and after party venues. Of course, Fresh Faces and Shop Chicago will be back again in the fall as part of Fashion Focus. Throughout the year, we will also be hosting a ton of intimate art, fashion, music and film events for our members, so if you are not a part of Gen Art, you should join!  

Who/what is on your “it” list right now?
Jonathan Adler’s Druggist Pottery
Everything in Sass & Bide’s latest line
Day-glo nail polish
Geoffrey from “Ace of Cakes”
Nino Moschella’s “The Fix”

Don't miss Gen Art's Shop Chicago at Union Station on Saturday, March 28th. For more information visit, www.genart.org.

Click Here to Meet Laura Lachman