NASHVILLE, TN - Artist-entrepreneurs eager to take their business to the next level are invited to join Tennessee Craft workshop Saturday, Jan. 23 and Sunday, Jan. 24. Make Your Art, Then Make It Work: A Maker Forum for Sharpening Your Business Skills is hosted and co-sponsored by Watkins College of Art, Design and Film in Nashville, Tennessee.
On Saturday, Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., artists will learn from four panels of experts about sales, marketing, public art opportunities and art events. The forum includes a complimentary lunch and a networking party to follow the day's events. The panels are as follows:
Sell ART: Diversify your income streams. A panel of experts presents different ways for artist-entrepreneurs to make money. Learn to navigate online, retail, wholesale, craft fairs, commission works, crowd-funding projects, grants and teaching workshops with panelists: Anderson Bailey, Sherri Warner Hunter (panelist & moderator), Thomas Spake and Kim Winkle.
Speak ART: How do you reach your audience? Hear sample pitches, press packet ideas and proven methods of promotion, publicity and marketing from different points of view, using traditional and social media. Panelists include Lon Bouldin, Laurie Davis (panelist & moderator), Kirsty Hughan, Paul Lindsley and Amanda Mazzo.
Share ART: Making your art public. This panel will discuss how to identify opportunities; and how to compete successfully for public art projects, comply with requirements, negotiate contracts, work with fabricators and avoid pitfalls. Panelists include: Issac Duncan III, Craig Nutt (panelist & moderator) and Caroline Vincent.
Show ART: Creating successful art events. Get critical advice about opening your studio or creating events to promote your work with Jennifer Knowles, Danielle McDaniel, Stephanie Pruitt (panelist & moderator) and Tony Youngblood.
On Sunday, Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., a panel will assemble for an open discussion critique.
Study ART: Critiques. Present work to the group and receive constructive, positive feedback from a panel of gallery owners, professors and jurors. You'll leave with valuable, new ideas for presenting and selling your art. Panelists are Curt Brock, Michele Lambert and Paul Polycarpou.
Early bird registration for the workshop is $75, discounted to $50 for Tennessee Craft members until Dec. 31. Students receive a special rate of $35. For more panelist information and to purchase your early bird tickets now, visit tennesseecraft.org.
