Little Islands
Dorothy Shinn’s (Art and Architecture Critic) art review in the Sunday, June 20th Akron Beacon Journal hit the mark, especially the last 3 paragraphs.
To quote, “But what’s really needed is a forum with local speakers …to thoroughly explore contemporary art issues. That’s the only way local artists will be able to measure their own interests against new developments.”
You can read the entire article at: http://www.ohio.com/entertainment/shinn/96745374.html
And, yes, it’s hard to find the time, the room and sometimes, the desire to work on one’s chosen craft, let alone to set aside the time to go to a meeting.
Personally, I feel like I’m always trying to squeeze in bits of time during the day to actually be able to work on my jewelry.
Keeping the website current, managing the money, trying to update the social media like Facebook, getting ready for shows (and everything that entails), coming up with ideas for classes, keeping in contact with other artists, gallery owners, promoters, guilds, groups, new products, new designs. It all eats up big chunks of time.
And, hey, on top of that, somebody’s got to do the dishes.
It’s easy to become isolated. As Ms. Shinn so succinctly wrote, “Otherwise, each artist is just on his or her little island as new ideas on the horizon sail on by.”
I really don’t think it’s all about the networking, although that’s certainly a big, important part. It’s about that spark. That bit of life. That “ah ha” moment. That energy.
Especially that energy.
It’s how we grow. It’s how we deepen our understanding of the world around us.
I started the Ohio Arts Community with the idea of opening an avenue for networking, and discussion, between the different aspects of the art community. We’ve done the networking to a certain extent, but I think the whole idea of a discussion deserves examination.
Whether you’re able to actually attend a meeting, or take the time to comment via this website, you’re input makes the energy to move this areas art community forward.
Let’s keep it rolling.
Ring of Fire Art Contest
I just found out about a brand new contest for all artists being sponsored by Delphi and ArtFire which is open to all artists called the Ring of Fire Artist Challenge. You get a free gift just for entering, plus you can win a kiln! You do have to buy the products from Delphi to make the project but you get a 15% discount on what you purchase.
This contest was designed for all artists of all crafts and abilities. All you have to do is create a project of your choice using one or more of the products from the Ring of Fire. You can also incorporate elements from your favorite craft.
*Offer valid April 28 – June 30, 2010. 15% discount applies only to the specific 10 products selected for the Ring of Fire contest. No substitutions. Multiple use allowed and can be combined with other offers. Offer good for retail online purchases only. Not valid on previous orders. Enter FIRE15 coupon code during checkout.
Click here to learn more about the Ring of Fire Artist Challenge.
Notes from the March meeting
The March meeting for the Ohio Arts Community was held Monday, March 22nd @ 4:30pm at Panera Bread, 2855 West Market Street, Fairlawn, Ohio.
In attendance were:
Karen Thomas, Stan Hywet/ Ohio Mart, Akron
Jennie Thewlis, Beadtini Boutique, Copley
Tony Durtschi, Celebrative Arts, Mansfield
Deb Selden, Stan Hywet/ Ohio Mart, Akron
Bryon Decker, Fluxusmetalworks, Canton
Kristina Malcolm, Fluxusmetalworks, Canton
Paula Atwell, Lake Erie Artists Gallery, Shaker Heights, Cleveland
Bud Graham, Canal Fulton Glassworks, Canal Fulton
Katie Mullins, Bonya’s, Seville
1. Gallery Hop and Bus Tours
Several people had talked about how to get in touch with tour (bus) groups in Ohio. Bud Graham said a list of tour groups can be found at “Adventures in NE Ohio”, http://adventuresinnortheastohio.com/index-2.html; look under the Adventure Map for a list of Touring Companies.
Additionally, after the meeting, I did a Google search and came up with the following: http://wwhttp://www.pctbus.com/, http://www.trails.com/list_19158_bus-tours-out-cleveland-ohio.html.
The idea of contacting these companies is to make them aware of your company or event in order to be added to the list of stops. Paula Atwell and Bud Graham both spoke about their experiences with bus tours and underscored that the tour group should be one that wants to buy or do a workshop, otherwise you end up with a store full of lookers. You can’t just say “Here I am” without offering something – workshop, event, history, etc.
(During my Google search, I came across the following site: http://www.artofohio.com/. Since there’s a “list your gallery” button on the right top of the page, thought I’d pass it along to all of you.)
2. Artists lists of needs from promoters and gallery owners
Kristina Malcolm and Katie Mullins, as the only artists present, both agreed that knowing what the criteria for a shop or show is – as in style, level of expression (craft? fine craft? art?) helps tremendously. Feedback from promoters and show judges help artists improve, and receiving a standard one size fits all rejection letter doesn’t help. Tell us why. The only way we can improve is if we know what we need to change. It would also help if the judges on the jury had experience with the art/fine craft they’re looking over and if we knew the level of experience they have.
3. Gallery, shops and promoters lists of needs from artists
Artists need to promote the event, show, shop & gallery, too. Artists should participate in promoting with rack cards, listings on their websites, their mailing and email lists. Galleries, shops and shows need feedback from the artists just as the artists need feedback from them. Let us know what shows you’re going to be in and we’ll put your rack cards out or link to your site from ours. If we tell you we need more of a specific item, create more of that item – NOT a completely different piece. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS on the show application.
4. Suggested topics or demos for future meetings
Bud will look into the possibility of using the Akron Marble Museum for the May meeting and report at the April meeting (website: http://www.americantoymarbles.com). Paula Atwell also offered her gallery for a future meeting & everyone agreed the idea of meeting at members locations sounded like a great idea & one we will explore fully in future months.
5. Next meeting
April 19th, 4:30pm @ Panera Bread, 2855 West Market Street, Fairlawn, Ohio 44333.
6. Follow up for the April meeting.
A. Bud is to provide a list of Google sites & forms.
B. Katie will invite representatives from Visit Akron-Summit, Cose Art Network and Cleveland Film Society.
C. Deb and Karen will contact a representative of the Cleveland Film Society to inquire about the possibility of doing some cross promotion (advertising/email lists).
Ohio Arts Community Meeting Today
As I’m writing this reminder to all of you, I can’t help but look outside and admire the sunny day. We certainly deserve this, don’t we? Although I’ll be inside at the Tower City Art Festival at Tower City in Cleveland the next two weekends, just knowing the days are getting longer and warmer will make me feel better.
Now that all the snow is out of the way, I’m hoping you can make it to the March 22nd meeting of the Ohio Arts Community. The meeting is at Panera Bread, 2855 West Market Street, Fairlawn, OH 44333, and will start at 4:30pm. Panera Bread is in the Fairlawn Plaza Shopping Center (there’s a Target in the same shopping plaza). I have reserved the meeting room from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Hope to see you there!
Katie Mullins
COSE Arts Network Meeting
Just a quick note to let you know there will be a COSE Arts Network Social at Lake Erie Artists Gallery on Tuesday February 23 from 6 to 8 pm. $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Register at http://www.cose.com/Events/Listings/ARTS/02-23-10.aspx?axAuth=00000034
My View
Love Knot Ring
The idea of a group of artists, promotors, gallery and bead/art shop owners meeting to network and share resources came to me for several reasons. First, the economy. Second, sharing wants, needs and perspectives. Third, networking and support.
As I, and others, have said during the first two meetings, the impact of the economic quake is continuing to send out aftershocks. Even if/when there’s a recovery, our economy will never be the same. If we want the arts community in Ohio to remain alive and kicking, I strongly believe it’s not going to happen individually. Whether you use the “Join, or Die” image from the Colonial era – the snake chopped into 13 pieces – or another analogy, the message is the same. Groups are more powerfull than the individual.
During working hours at a gallery, shop or arts & crafts show is not a good time for an owner or promoter to gather information on the artists perspective, or for the artist to give constructive feedback. While we all want to make money, we all have different reasons, different goals, different needs. Having the “best” work hanging in your gallery, or offering the new “coolest” class in your shop, or simply filling spaces at the show doesn’t automatically give your gallery, shop or show the highest marks with the artists – or the public. Drawing artists & traffic in is one thing, but making them stay and plan to come back is another. Sure, you’ll drive yourself crazy trying to please everyone & that’s really not feasable or the point. We want a public that wants to look at pretty things and BUY them or PAY to learn a new skill, and we want them to keep coming back. And if we don’t know what our fellow promoters, gallery and shop owners and artists want and need, we aren’t going to be successfull.
Networking and support are just simply smart business. Would you rather sit down with a family member, internet wiz, community leader, etc., that doesn’t quite get the whole creative process, whoes eyes roll back in their heads while they tune you out, or someone that’s working and struggling through the same world as you?
Now, yes, I’ve run into artists at shows who just don’t feel comfortable sharing with their peers. They view their fellows as the competition. They don’t want the other guy to find out who their suppliers are, what the best tools are, who has the best rates for credit card processing and so forth. They don’t want their business, their customers “stolen” away from them. While I do understand where that’s coming from – really, I do – we all have indivdual talents, techniques, skills, looks and styles. Art doesn’t, and shouldn’t, compete on price. It competes on style. I make jewelry and Kristina Malcolm makes jewelry. Are we competing for the same customer? Not necessarily. The consumer that falls in love with one of Kristi’s pieces probably won’t find my work appealing, and vise versa. Has Kristi “stolen” my customer if we’re side by side and the customer buys her piece and not mine? Nope. It’s simply a matter of taste. Just like artists, shows, shops and galleries have different decors, flavors and styles. We are not found in your local mall. We are unique.
So, there it is, the why and the how of the Ohio Arts Community. Please join us. Become part of the continued growth of arts in Ohio.
Katie Mullins, Founder
Ohio Arts Community
Sending Traffic to Your Art Website Through Free Articles Online
If you are an artist who has their own website, one of the ways that you can get traffic to your website is to write free articles online about your art, or related subjects.
In order to write articles online, you just need to find an article website, sign up for it, and start writing. Most websites will allow you to place at least one link to your website in the article, and you can also place at least one other link in your profile. All it takes is your time and effort.
Here are some of the article websites that are available:
Hubpages
Squidoo
Xomba
Yousaytoo
Bukisa
Each website has slightly different rules, so make sure to read the TOS and FAQ.
Another way to drive traffic to your website is to start a blog. Blogs can also be free, although once you get comfortable, it is best to create a website name for your blog, and host it. This will give your blog more authority online.
