I am flattered to say that FOTA (a Chicago-based arts organization) has asked me (and four other full-time artists) to speak at their upcoming symposium:
Finding the Color Green: Marketing Your Art in Today’s Economy
Thursday February 19th, 2009, 6 PM
Wishbone Restaurant, 3300 N. Lincoln
Ave, Chicago, 60657
(more information can be found at fineartchicago.com)
I am flattered for a few reasons. First, I will be speaking in a company of very talented Chicago artists (James Klekowski, Jason Messinger, Ted Preuss, and Nancy Pirri) most of whom I have known and admired for several years. Second, it is always fulfilling to share career and marketing experiences with a group of “up-and-coming” artists. Third, even through FOTA may consider me to be a professional - I have been doing art full-time for less than a year, so I am still an up-and-coming artist myself.
It is fun to talk business to creative minds. As everyone knows, most artists tend to focus on the art thing, but not so much on the business thing. And that’s understandable. When you spend all day creating something with your hands, last thing you want to do is go out and market it. But, marketing is a crucial part of any self-employed individual, whether they are a painter or a plumber.
Then, there is that scary word of 2009: economy. I tend to look at economic downturn a as a cup half-full. Sure, most of it is frightening, and I feel terrible for everyone lined up at the unemployment office (wait… should I feel terrible or jealous? As a small business owner, I don’t even qualify for unemployment!). But, on many levels, the economy needed to correct itself, and there is a thin silver lining (cheaper gas… cheaper housing…cheaper travel!) And it is during the hard times when the opportunities are born, and become visible… to those who seek them out. Yet, right now I am a bit reluctant to tell today’s artists-to-be to quit their jobs and run after their dreams. Maybe they should tiptoe after their dreams… at least until they truly know how their dreams will treat them back.
It should be an interesting symposium.
