The first piece of information I immediately recall from my mental Maria Jost library is that she is an artist. Some of her beautifully textured pieces, Storyville can be viewed right now at Black Water Café until the end of October. After getting to know her better, I find she is more than an artist — she is literally a Jane of All Trades. I have yet to meet another 25-year-old female as mentally profound as Jost. 

Hell knows I had no idea where my life was headed when I was 25 years old. I’m amazed at and respectfully admirable of who Jost really is as a person.

STEPH DEROSA: So you have the Black Water Cafe show happening right now. What else is going on in your life?

MARIA JOST: I’m interested in art, but I studied biology. My real job is with the students of Tacoma’s School of the Arts. I have an intense scientific curiosity of why and how things are the way they are. My hope is to combine art and science, somehow integrating them into education.     

DEROSA: How cool it must be to be a part of a school that nurtures each person as an individual. How does it make you feel? 

JOST: It feels good to be needed. I’m really into my work right now, and I love it._ 

DEROSA: What do you do in your free time, Ms. Jane of All Trades? I’m dying to know what someone so damn hip and liberated as you does on the weekends.

JOST: I’m definitely enjoying myself. Last weekend I attended Squeak and Squawk and hung out at The New Frontier.

DEROSA: Ah, to be 25 again. That was just a few years ago for me.  

JOST: You’re almost 37. That’s not a few years, that’s more than a decade.  

DEROSA: I can still hang with 25-year-olds. Although The KAke and I are usually home and in bed by midnight when we go out.  

JOST: That’s pretty sad, Steph. Midnight? 

DEROSA: All right, fine. I’m not as awesome as you and never will be. I get it. What are you doing this weekend?  

JOST: Dockyard Derby Dames are having their championship bout. I’ll be there.

DEROSA: Can I go with you?

JOST: And have people think I brought my mom? I don’t think so. 

[Black Water Café, 747 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253.404.0000]