Networking

Well, it has been a while since my last post and I am sorry about that...It is summer and computer problems tend to take a backseat to sun, fun, & sailing.  Anyway, if there is one piece of advice that I would offer any aspiring artist, aside from taking time for some sun, fun, and sailing,  it would be to start networking with the local artisans.

 Get involved with your local arts councils.  In fact, get involved with the arts councils for the surrounding counties or regions as well. There is no better resource for meeting inspirational artists or discovering venues or participating in artisan events in your area, all of which gets your work seen by the public.  Most arts organizations are a low cost and highly valuable resource for any artisan.  Get involved! It is worth it.  Often, the arts councils will have resources for their members such as venues and events for displaying and/or selling your work, juried shows which may include awards and cash prizes and newsletters that let you know about local and regional opportunities.


If there is an artisan co-op in your area, you should get involved with that as well.  A co-op is a perfect venue for both local traffic as well as opportunity for tourist exposure.  Tourism is an excellent way to get your art seen beyond the local city limits.  Another benefit of the artisan co-op is that you will be working with a wider variety of artisans, crafters, farmers, and musicians.  It often becomes a center for learning and entertainment, thus drawing in a wider audience which is a valuable resource for any artist, regardless of their medium.

Nowadays, it should go without saying; get yourself a website.  The most economical and useful site that I have found is Etsy.  Etsy is a web company for artisan, crafts, and vintage items.  All arts and crafts are required to be hand made.  They will set you up to make sales online and the cost is truly minimal.  It costs a 20 cents to create a listing that lasts for 3 months.  Yes, that is right - 20 cents.  I usually keep around 25 listings which costs me around $5 every 3 months but there are no limits.  The trick to using Etsy though is to create a new listing every week which keeps your shop in the spotlight of the search engine for new stuff.  Also you can get involved with teams or groups of fellow "Etsyans" in your area or style of arts.

Most artists cherish their time in the studio and are accustomed to working alone for long hours in obsessive detail and fervor.  I would remind the artist, as I occasionally have to remind myself,  that no one can do it alone.  Cast a wide net and it will work for you.  An artist needs an audience to appreciate their work.  An audience needs the artist to touch their soul.  Taking the time to network is the only way an artist and an audience can find one another.