Joyce Mitchell: Journalist by Trade, Artist for Life

By Larena Baldazo
Marketing Chair

Joyce Mitchell. The self-taught painter started her journey on canvas about 20 years ago, just after leaving a PR job – in between working at TV stations. “I’m just not a PR person,” said Joyce. Who knew that this newfound time would lead to a lifelong passion?

When she is not painting, what is she up to? “I’m always playing guitar, volunteering for NATAS, listening to music, and I’ve recently produced another music video while also working on a new PBS documentary,” Joyce said.

Three years ago, Joyce, who was inducted into the Silver Circle in 2010, hosted her first art show, Art From the Heart. It generated $15k and all of the money was donated to her nonprofit, Capital City AIDS Fund (CCAF). Joyce co-founded the organization in 1995 and currently serves as president.

In 2002, in honor of her late mother, CCAF created the Helen Veress Mitchell Scholarship Fund that helps HIV+ students attend college. So far, she’s raised and given away about 600-thousand dollars. Education was a huge priority in Helen Veress Mitchell’s book.

In the past, Joyce donated money from selling paintings to CCAF, more recently, she’s started keeping the money to support her love of guitar. Somehow, magically, art has paid for her five guitars.