Some thoughts on marketing…to a new generation…

by | Mar 10, 2010 | Uncategorized


As I may have mentioned earlier in the year, I’m spending more time focusing on developing a new line of functional tableware. It’s going okay, I guess. Lots of self doubt and wondering if I’m just making the same old boring thing that seems fashionable now a days. There isn’t much of a lineage in this new work from my previous streamlined, wheelthrown, porcelain, clean cut work. This new stuff is dirtier, less refined, more organic (perhaps…i’m not sure, maybe organic is just a nice way of saying sloppy!)

I’ve been trying to focus my energy on the making part of the process, yet the marketing aspect seems to be screaming at me most days…will this sell? whose your target audience? this isn’t gallery standard work so where will you sell it? Does that even matter as you have the sculptural stuff for gallery shows? where is the concept? the research component? can work just be fun to make and not have to have layers of theory and technique to justify it’s existence?

What are you thinking – go back to what you we’re doing before!!! But alas that wasn’t paying the bills either. hmmm. So in the midst of this whole marketing dilemma i spent a day not caring and playing out in the studio making some pots for my kid since it’s time to put the melamine plates and plastic bowls aside for the ‘real” stuff, the clay. As a kid my folks got us each a set of Bunnykins dishware which i still have to this day. So i thought to myself that there must be an audience for ceramic dishware made just for the little ones – although i guess it’s their parents that are the ultimate suckers that dole out the cash for them. Anyway, I’m not sure where I’m going with this thought, but I sure had a ton of fun making them, and you know some days that’s really all that matters, right?

Etsy link to the kids pots.

And here’s a few other examples of those making ceramics for the young ones:

Heath Ceramics
Shenzhen Effort Trading

Tigware
Studiotto
Scott McCarthy
Moorefeild Pottery
Brooklyn Rehab
Pumphouse Studios
Ema Zuma
Silvia Howes

Craft NI Launches Collecting Contemporary Craft Initiative

by | Mar 9, 2010 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday

What is C3?

C3 – Collecting Contemporary Craft is a Craft NI initiative aimed at stimulating the market for collecting contemporary craft and encouraging individuals, businesses and institutions to buy and collect.

Working with a wide range of stakeholders including commercial, gallery and other cultural outlets, Craft NI is currently exploring and testing new markets in order to assist in the expansion of the customer base for high value craft. Through a number of high-profile promotional and showcasing events, C3 – Collecting Contemporary Craft will market local artists to potential collectors. It is hoped that this will be an ongoing programme which, over time, will encourage innovation and excellence in individual practice, grow craft businesses and contribute to the strengthening the overall infrastructure for craft development in Northern Ireland. As part of the promotional support, Craft NI will produce a catalogue which will contain biographical material, critical endorsement and high quality images in relation to each selected artist. An exhibition of the work of selected designer-makers will be included in the initial launch event to be held in the Ulster Museum in late spring 2010. Designer-makers will also be involved in ongoing promotional activity related to the programme.

Craft NI is inviting designer-makers to apply to be part of this programme. The closing date for applications is 4.00pm, Monday 15 March 2010 The initiative is supported by The Ulster Museum and The Merchant Hotel.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM>>

Online Design Classes via Designboom

by | Mar 8, 2010 | Uncategorized



examining the origins of today’s
most common / popular design objects
and asking how we can improve them
or how they have been re-interpreted.

from its packaging to the surroundings in which it’s consumed and everything in between. this course gives you a good taste of design in the food sector…



youth and middle age are for fulfilling
desires and duties, when a person is spiritually ready, they allow the young to
replace them, in power positions. it means
the person spends more time in
philosophical pursuits and begin an inward
journey, a cultural practice of moving to greater truth.

lesson list online soon

enrollment for will be available
one month prior to course start date.
For more info check out the website here.

Call for Entry – Visions in Clay 2010

by | Mar 8, 2010 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday

2010 Prospectus

San Joaquin Delta College
Delta Center for the Arts
LH Horton Jr Gallery The LH Horton Jr Gallery is a non-profit art gallery located on the campus of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. The Gallery provides excellent exhibition opportunities, with over 2000 square feet of exhibition space, an extended 22 ft. ceiling with mounts, and over 1200 visitors to each exhibition. 2010 Visions in Clay Exhibition Dates: August 26 – September 23, 2010
Awards: Best of Show: $1000, 2nd Place: $600, 3rd Place: $350, Purchase Awards may be announced, and non-cash Merit Awards will be selected by guest juror, Arthur Gonzalez, San Fansisco Bay Area Ceramic Artist & Associate Professor at California College of the Arts. Entry Dates: February 1 – June 1, 2010
Selection Announcement: June 15, 2010
Artwork Received at the Gallery: August 2, 2010 Eligibility

  1. Exhibition is open to all artists residing in the United States.
  2. Artwork entered for submission must have been executed after December 2008.
  3. The Gallery reserves the right to reject works from the exhibition that are deemed extraordinarily fragile, unstable, or potentially harmful to the work or the viewer. Works accepted by the juror may also be rejected due to their content, or inability to be properly installed or returned for shipping.
  4. Ceramic works of any thematic and stylistic presentation will be accepted for entry. Clay must be the primary medium, and works may be functional or sculptural. Assembled works may not exceed 4ft. in any direction, and 50lbs in weight.

Accepted Works

  1. Art must be properly presented and prepared for display. Wall pieces must include all hardware and be ready to hang. Necessary assembly and mounting instructions and materials must be included with accepted works.
  2. Accepted artwork that differs significantly from the submitted image will be disqualified.
  3. No accepted entry may be withdrawn prior to the close of the exhibition.
  4. Upon selection, artists will provide the Gallery with a bio, artist statement and the sale price, title, materials, and dimensions for selected work.
  5. All accepted work must be available for sale during the show.
  6. The Gallery reserves the right to photograph and use submitted image of any accepted artwork in all publicity for the current show and future exhibitions, educational and Gallery promotional materials. Artist will be credited, as well as any photo credit for the reproduction of images.

Shipping

  1. Artists are responsible for all shipping and transit insurance costs to and from the Gallery. The Gallery does not insure works in transit.
  2. Works MUST be shipped with a return shipping account label. Works without a return account label, either pre-paid or using the artist’s account number, will not be returned.
  3. Shipping packaging and artwork must be clearly marked to identify the artist, must be re-usable for the return shipping, and include re-packing and installation instructions as necessary.

Insurance Every reasonable precaution will be taken with the handling of artwork. All work to be shown at the LH Horton Jr Gallery will be insured against fire, theft, and other hazards at the LH Horton Jr Gallery while in the possession of the Gallery, from the time of receipt through the time of setup and exhibition. San Joaquin Delta College and the LH Horton Jr Gallery cannot be held responsible for damages to work during shipping, and therefore insurance will not cover work in transit. Insurance claims will be based on the documented sale price of the artwork. Sale of Artwork All accepted works must be for sale during the show. The Gallery is responsible for all sales, and will retain a 20% commission from the sale of artwork. On-Line Entry Process Entry Fee: $30 for 3 images. Additional images of work and/or detail images may be purchased for $3 per image, limited to 3 additional work entries.

  1. All Calls for Entry submissions are processed through Smarter Entry by clicking on this link.
  2. All artwork images are viewed anonymously by the juror announced for each exhibition. Until the final artist selection is made, accepted artists’ names and contact information is held confidential by the Gallery Director administering the calls.
  3. When entering on-line, please use the Process Notes section to include the following information: materials, dimensions, weight (3D only) and any additional work process or technique methods.
  4. Images may be added, exchanged, or removed up until the very last day of the call deadline.
  5. Payment of entry fees and submission of images for judging signifies the artist’s understanding and acceptance of all terms and conditions of the Call for Entry and corresponding exhibition.
  6. Fees are non-refundable unless the exhibition is canceled by the Gallery.

Click here for their website.