Before I knew about the breadth of Tiélere Cheatam’s artistic talents, it was Tiélere’s style that caught my eye. This photograph is an example, taken as Tiélere emerged from modeling at the CWE’s Gateway Academy of Classical Art.
Over the past few years, I’ve shared photos of Tiélere painting at CWE events such as the Art Strolls and the annual CWE Cocktail Party, below.
So, while it’s the fashion that grabbed my attention, the story behind this multi-talented artist, which I learned in a recent interview, is what I hope you will find fascinating too.
Teilere (pronounced Tea-laire), the oldest of 7 siblings, is from Evansville, Indiana. Their parents believed that their children should be exposed to as much art, music, and theater as they could find. “We weren’t wealthy,” Tiélere explained, “but we were comfortable.” If one of the siblings wasn’t interested in a particular subject, at least they could form an educated opinion about why. Everyone in Tiélere’s family seems to be talented in many different ways. To pursue a particular interest, their parents arranged for lessons so the children would have all the tools they needed to be successful. In Tiélere’s case, their parents arranged for acting, singing, dancing, and art lessons.
Tiélere moved to St. Louis 15 years ago to attend Florissant Valley Community College. The maternal side of the family encourages their children to choose a college or university in a city where there are relatives. That way you have a place to stay—and save money—and always have that familial support and love. Tiélere earned a degree in music at Florissant Valley, which had just begun offering a 4-year program. “I felt I stumbled upon a gold mine of education there. Many of my professors had PhDs.” Tiélere performed while in college, and said: “I hit the ground running after graduation.”
Tiélere’s first public performance was much earlier, as James in James and the Giant Peach at age 6. After graduation from college, Tiélere performed in productions here in St. Louis and wherever else they could find work. “You go where the work is, which broadens your horizons,” they said. “There’s a lot of ‘who knows who’ in St. Louis theater, and it’s difficult to break through. That changed in 2014 when I met ‘my tribe’ who introduced me to all the theater companies in town.”
Tielere’s bucket list included landing a role in a Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis production. That dream came true in 2022, when they played 3 roles, Helena, Hippolyta (photo above), and Peter Quince, in Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. “It was amazing to be part of that production,” Tiélere said. “There was such inspiration I found from fellow actors. The team was absolutely fearless.”
Another favorite role was Lola in Tesseract Theater’s production of Kinky Boots. “Lola was such a warrior and defender of love and truth. She also has a fabulous wardrobe,” Tiélere added.
Tielere also participated in Shakespeare Festival’s production of A Walking Christmas Carol, another pandemic-era event, which was an amazingly creative addition to 2020’s Holiday Window Walk in the CWE
As mentioned earlier, Tiélere has been an artist since childhood. “In 2015 though,” they said, “I took a break from painting. I just wasn’t inspired, and instead put a focus in performing and fashion, working as national operations manager of a Danish menswear company. Three years later, I started creating art with whatever I had on hand—a sharpie, 3 tubes of oil paint, watercolor, acrylic, things you don’t typically mix together. That first creation was a ‘hot mess,’ but I felt I was back. I started an Instagram page and felt this is how I would climb back. I pushed myself from ‘rusty to polished’, and began calling myself ‘The Rusty Artist.’ ”
Tiélere also credits artist Alex Johnmeyer for introducing them to the St. Louis art community, and in 2018, Tiélere won Best in Show in the Metropolitan Trans Group Juried Exhibition. That led to more art sales and commissions.
Tielere now calls their ability to enjoy and create many forms of art “art plural.” “It feels natural to me and I found that other dear friends are doing the same, not focusing on just one form of art, but many.”
Tielere is shown under Arch #7 which they painted for Shakespeare Festival’s production of A Late Summer’s Night’s Stroll, which took place in multiple locations in Forest Park in 2020.
The painting above was commissioned for an auction to benefit Saint Louis Dance Theatre, formerly Big Muddy Dance Company.
Mac Properties commissioned Tiélere to paint the plywood on a boarded-up storefront at La Petite Nails at 318 N. Euclid after a driver veered into the shop in 2023. Luckily, no one was injured, and neighbors were left with a striking painting to enjoy until the glass was replaced.
To see more of Tiélere Cheatam’s art, visit their Instagram page. Tielere’s first solo exhibition, The Beauty of a Black Man Loving Black Men, opens at St. Louis Artists Guild, 12 N. Jackson in Clayton, today, July 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The exhibition will remain on view until August 24.
As a studio student at gateway academy, Tielere has been our portrait model allowing me to appreciate their style, beauty, intellect, creativity. Seeing their solo show, an insight to soul.
Very talented and very inspiring! Thanks, Nicki!
Fascinating, Nicki. I’ve met Tiélere, but had no idea the breadth of his creativity – incredible!