Jessica Tackett's Story

1 min read

Published 4 May 2026

I was adopted at 2½ years old from Irkutsk, Russia. My parents, who were unable to have children, made the decision to travel across the world with the hope of growing their family and changing lives. They initially planned to adopt two boys, but when that path didn’t work out, they were faced with an unexpected moment: one of the caregivers placed me in their arms and said, ‘Olja.’

From that moment on, everything changed. I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember, and my parents always nurtured that passion. Today, my art series Echoes of Olja reflects my journey, exploring culture, discovery, identity, and belonging.

Through both my work and my teaching, I hope to inspire my students and fellow adoptees to feel confident in their roots, that it’s okay to be curious, to explore where you come from, and to express your story in your own way.

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