Annalisa Guerri @ RBcontemporary
Forage round up (a long overdue post)
It’s been a
while now that I’ve been intending to fill you in on a pretty amazing event I
was involved with late this summer. I’m sure I mentioned Forage {a gathering of ideas & makers} at some point, but my
intention all along was to actually share some of the knowledge and experience
that I gained at the symposium with you all.
while now that I’ve been intending to fill you in on a pretty amazing event I
was involved with late this summer. I’m sure I mentioned Forage {a gathering of ideas & makers} at some point, but my
intention all along was to actually share some of the knowledge and experience
that I gained at the symposium with you all.
But where to
begin? Forage itself was an
interesting project to be involved with from it’s infantile stages. I believe
it was Kari Woo and Mariko McCrae that got the ball rolling in the beginning
inspired by the ALT Design Summit that brought together a range of bloggers and cultural producers
for a get together to share knowledge and build community. I basically was a tag along in the brainstorming process of how, what, and
where we could create a similar event. Ideas with those two incredible women
don’t take long to turn into reality and soon enough there were lists of
possible participants, locations, topics to be covered and the like floating
back and forth through emails and google docs. A few other great minds like Cathy Terepocki, Lia Tajcnar and Bianca Gignac joined the brainstorm and once the excitement started to
build there was no turning back in our minds. This had to happen.
begin? Forage itself was an
interesting project to be involved with from it’s infantile stages. I believe
it was Kari Woo and Mariko McCrae that got the ball rolling in the beginning
inspired by the ALT Design Summit that brought together a range of bloggers and cultural producers
for a get together to share knowledge and build community. I basically was a tag along in the brainstorming process of how, what, and
where we could create a similar event. Ideas with those two incredible women
don’t take long to turn into reality and soon enough there were lists of
possible participants, locations, topics to be covered and the like floating
back and forth through emails and google docs. A few other great minds like Cathy Terepocki, Lia Tajcnar and Bianca Gignac joined the brainstorm and once the excitement started to
build there was no turning back in our minds. This had to happen.
What was it
exactly? Well the idea was to bring together a group of cultural producers,
artists, designers, photographers, small business owners, bloggers, writers, art
historians and the like for three days worth of keynote speeches, panel
discussions and show and tell all related to basically anything to do with
independent artistic production and small business. There was a lot to cover,
but with the invite list of participants and attendees growing steadily there
was plenty of talent to pool from to cover such topics as:
exactly? Well the idea was to bring together a group of cultural producers,
artists, designers, photographers, small business owners, bloggers, writers, art
historians and the like for three days worth of keynote speeches, panel
discussions and show and tell all related to basically anything to do with
independent artistic production and small business. There was a lot to cover,
but with the invite list of participants and attendees growing steadily there
was plenty of talent to pool from to cover such topics as:
Growing our Brands
The Professional Practice of Blogging
Seeking the Love; How to find your Audience.
A Curious Cocktail: Mixing Art, Life and Business.
Opening and Running a shop. Brick & Mortar versus Online.
Show me the money: Grants and Other Creative Sources of Funding.
Does
Diversifying = Diversion?
Diversifying = Diversion?
Building a Team:
In Partnership we Trust.
In Partnership we Trust.
There was a
lot of meat to sink out teeth into; a range of topics that would appeal to many
was the idea. And in the end I think that the symposium was incredibly
successful as a inaugural event that was pulled together online and mainly
thanks to the tireless work of Mariko and Brian McCrae from Feedlot Studios.
lot of meat to sink out teeth into; a range of topics that would appeal to many
was the idea. And in the end I think that the symposium was incredibly
successful as a inaugural event that was pulled together online and mainly
thanks to the tireless work of Mariko and Brian McCrae from Feedlot Studios.
FeedlotStudios, the home and workspace of ceramic artist extraordinaire -Mariko MacCrae, on
Gabriola Island just off of Vancouver Island,
was an idyllic getaway location that served as a perfect environment of quiet
and focus for the event. This also meant that the attendees were part of a
small intimate group of about forty due to space restraints. This in the end
encouraged a more relaxed environment for exchange. Panel discussions had the
feel of a cup of tea between friends as attendees as well presenters all had relevant
contributions to the discourses.
Gabriola Island just off of Vancouver Island,
was an idyllic getaway location that served as a perfect environment of quiet
and focus for the event. This also meant that the attendees were part of a
small intimate group of about forty due to space restraints. This in the end
encouraged a more relaxed environment for exchange. Panel discussions had the
feel of a cup of tea between friends as attendees as well presenters all had relevant
contributions to the discourses.
But okay,
enough of that right? Your wondering what it was that we actually talked about.
Well that will be hard to sum up without being verbose. But allow me an
attempt.
enough of that right? Your wondering what it was that we actually talked about.
Well that will be hard to sum up without being verbose. But allow me an
attempt.
Bianca
Gignac really set the tone for the three days with her Keynote on Growing your
brand by walking us through how she went from an idea to a sustainable income
generating online travel based business. She was motivational in her
discussions of the challenges and process. Business from this point on seemed
to be a focus for most of the presenters.
Gignac really set the tone for the three days with her Keynote on Growing your
brand by walking us through how she went from an idea to a sustainable income
generating online travel based business. She was motivational in her
discussions of the challenges and process. Business from this point on seemed
to be a focus for most of the presenters.
Myself I was
there to speak to social media initiatives and how to balance life, art and
family. The space I’m at currently in my career being a bit of a staled work in
progress since the birth of my second son meant that I was there less to talk
about a successful business plan but rather how to stay creative, motivated,
visible and engaged in a community even when daily life takes over.
there to speak to social media initiatives and how to balance life, art and
family. The space I’m at currently in my career being a bit of a staled work in
progress since the birth of my second son meant that I was there less to talk
about a successful business plan but rather how to stay creative, motivated,
visible and engaged in a community even when daily life takes over.
I gleaned a
lot from the business practices of others. I marveled at the dedication and perseverance needed to get the job done. Independent artists are some of the
hardest working people I know. They are creative minds, object producers,
accountants, researchers, marketing agents, international shippers, bloggers,
critics, teachers, volunteers, parents and good friends all in the course of a
day. For me I realized that I needed to walk away from the expectation I had on
myself that while my children were young I could realistically make sculptural
work, design functional objects, blog, teach, get my work out there and still
have time for dinner and bedtime stories at the end of the day. Same as there
are a million models of how to run your business, there are also an equal
amount of consideration that needs to go into all the decisions and
realistically sometimes you are not in the right time and place in your life to
do the things you want or need to do. I walked away with insight for building a
five and ten year plan. I now have a better sense of what I can do in the
meantime while my children grow that will still nurture my creative projects long
term.
lot from the business practices of others. I marveled at the dedication and perseverance needed to get the job done. Independent artists are some of the
hardest working people I know. They are creative minds, object producers,
accountants, researchers, marketing agents, international shippers, bloggers,
critics, teachers, volunteers, parents and good friends all in the course of a
day. For me I realized that I needed to walk away from the expectation I had on
myself that while my children were young I could realistically make sculptural
work, design functional objects, blog, teach, get my work out there and still
have time for dinner and bedtime stories at the end of the day. Same as there
are a million models of how to run your business, there are also an equal
amount of consideration that needs to go into all the decisions and
realistically sometimes you are not in the right time and place in your life to
do the things you want or need to do. I walked away with insight for building a
five and ten year plan. I now have a better sense of what I can do in the
meantime while my children grow that will still nurture my creative projects long
term.
But are
these tangible things I could write out in a list for you to follow? I wish.
these tangible things I could write out in a list for you to follow? I wish.
Some of the presenters had built their business to the point where they were at capacity; where for further growth dramatic shifts towards industry, partnerships, and employees has to be considered. Would my artistic practice ever get to that stage? Would I want it to? Not sure if I’m the type to hand over any sort of control. And I questioned for me if that would inherently change the mandate and philosophy of my work. Mandates and philosophies can shift over the years, grow and be edited. So I guess I have to think about what the core values I (and subsequently) my work stand for.
One of the key ideas that was tossed about was about the creation of a personal story. The idea of building and selling a brand makes what we do seem very commercial, but it is a relevant discourse. To put the tone of a personal story behind the creation of a brand; the idea that you’re selling yourself, your story, a humanity and connection through the objects you make, can be beneficial to success. How do we convey through images, text, artist statements, blogs, and social media marketing tools the nature of our work, the values that are instilled, a desire for the consumer to covet our work, our story, our desire for the creation of handmade objects?
I was really inspired to hear personal stories of how different artists have gone about this. There were many examples of crafters that I’ve long admired and to gain insight into the inter-workings of their success was inspiring. I think the general feeling most of us left with was that anything truly is possible and that community could play a big part of our individual success. Mariko ended the event with a great talk about the different collaborations and initiatives that Feedlot Studios has taken on in the past few years. She was notably gracious in her thanks to that many members of the community that have been a part of her story. I think we all felt very similar that we owed a great deal of thanks to others, that collaborations small and large (with individuals and industry) could be of benefit, and that none of us work in a void.
There were inspiring people everywhere, a serene environment to relax, inspirational work to surround ourselves with. I doubt there was anyone not in agreement that a similar event would have to be organized for next year and each subsequent year after. There are simply too many topics to cover, too many ideas to share, to many stories to tell. I personally will be active in my interest and involvement for this type of event in some way shape or form to happen again. Canada is a wealth of creative minds and this should be celebrated and showcased.
One other treat of the symposium was to hear Julia Krueger speak of her own studio practice as well as her tireless work in areas of curating, research and writing. She is a craft historian extraordinaire and we as crafters are so lucky to have such passionate people around. She will be instrumental in the writing of a Canadian Craft History, I’m sure of it. She is already well on her way. Just check out the guest post she contributed on musing shortly after the symposium.
So I am entirely grateful to all the wonderful people that contributed to this event. I’m sure this is only a base from which to grow and build community. A sincere thanks must also be given to the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Without their financial support I wouldn’t have been able to attend this event. They have been amazing in their support of my practice over the years and I am thankful yet again for their support of my practice and the arts and crafts in Saskatchewan and Canada.
Current and upcoming @ Trax Gallery
Gallery Artist Show
with NEW WORK by
Julia
Galloway, Jan Johnston, Randy Johnston, Forrest Lesch-Middelton, Warren
MacKenzie, Ron Meyers, Steve Rolf, Guillermo Cuellar, and others
Galloway, Jan Johnston, Randy Johnston, Forrest Lesch-Middelton, Warren
MacKenzie, Ron Meyers, Steve Rolf, Guillermo Cuellar, and others
October 20th – November 11th
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Image (Top from L to R): Ron Meyers, Warren MacKenzie, Forrest Lesch-Middelton
Image (Bottom from L to R): Akio Takamori-Sandy Simon Jar, Adam Field, Julia Galloway
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Opening November 17th at TRAX
Linda Sikora and Mathew Metz
Separate and Shared:
Two Practices from a Common Studio
November 17th – December 20th
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 17th, 5 – 7 pm, Artist Talk at 5:30pm
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Walnut Creek Civic Arts Education Presents:
Master Potter Workshop with Linda Sikora and Mathew Metz, Saturday November 17th, 10am-4pm.
…a celebration of the pragmatic and the decorative.
Advanced Registration required. $81 workshop fee.
Click link below for more information
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A Season for CERF+ will end Friday, November 16th. New work continually added to the backyard gallery.
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Business hours: Wednesday to Sunday 12:00-5:30 p.m. PST
510-540-8729 / [email protected] TRAX GALLERY 1812 5th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
Cup: The Intimate Object VIII
The eighth annual Cup: The Intimate
Object exhibition will open at midnight tonight on the Charlie Cummings
Gallery website. This year the show features over 500 cups by nearly 100
artists. The artists sent truly excellent cups this year, making this
exhibition among the most outstanding collections of drinking vessels I
have seen in one place.
Object exhibition will open at midnight tonight on the Charlie Cummings
Gallery website. This year the show features over 500 cups by nearly 100
artists. The artists sent truly excellent cups this year, making this
exhibition among the most outstanding collections of drinking vessels I
have seen in one place.
As
the most intimate of ceramic objects, the humble cup possesses the
unique ability to transform our daily experience. A favorite mug or
tumbler rests perfectly in our grip, warming the hands in winter or
delivering that cool draft we so crave after a workout or on a hot
summer day. The right cup reminds us that the experience of drinking is
special, and that the moment is worth savoring.
the most intimate of ceramic objects, the humble cup possesses the
unique ability to transform our daily experience. A favorite mug or
tumbler rests perfectly in our grip, warming the hands in winter or
delivering that cool draft we so crave after a workout or on a hot
summer day. The right cup reminds us that the experience of drinking is
special, and that the moment is worth savoring.
This
year’s show includes an exciting diversity of cups, from the bonanza of
sprightly color in Linda Arbuckle’s majolica and Gillian Parke’s
decaled yunomi to the earth tones of Jack Troy’s and Simon Levin’s wood
fired porcelain. Subject matter ranges from that of Chandra DeBuse’s
humorous animal figures, to Ehren Tool’s challenging sculptural cups, to
the beautiful and ironic goldfish of Yoko Sekino-Bove’s Fragile
Immortality Series. Cups by talented young artists rub handles with
those by mainstays of contemporary pottery. I can’t crow enough about
how impressed I am by all their work.
year’s show includes an exciting diversity of cups, from the bonanza of
sprightly color in Linda Arbuckle’s majolica and Gillian Parke’s
decaled yunomi to the earth tones of Jack Troy’s and Simon Levin’s wood
fired porcelain. Subject matter ranges from that of Chandra DeBuse’s
humorous animal figures, to Ehren Tool’s challenging sculptural cups, to
the beautiful and ironic goldfish of Yoko Sekino-Bove’s Fragile
Immortality Series. Cups by talented young artists rub handles with
those by mainstays of contemporary pottery. I can’t crow enough about
how impressed I am by all their work.
See the show online and find a new beloved friend after midnight tonight at Claylink.com.
Can’t wait till midnight to see the cups? Check out the preview images at our Facebook page
This exhibition features cups by:
Jennifer
Allen, Dan Anderson , Linda Arbuckle, Andrew Avakian, Posey Bacopoulos,
Noel Bailey, Peter Beasecker, Catherine Boswell, Brooks Bouwkamp, John
Britt, Cindy Buehler, Kyle Carpenter, Benjamin Carter, Steven Cheek,
Annie Chrietzberg, Linda Christianson, Sam Chung, Nan Coffin, Tim
Compton, Jim Connell, Israel Davis, Chandra DeBuse , Maria Dondero,
Sanam Emani, Mark Errol, Marty Fielding, Susan Filley, Donna Flanery,
Emily Free Wilson, Brett Freund, Julia Galloway, Ernest Gentry, John
Glick, Ryan Greenheck, Mel Griffin, Martha Grover, Julie Guyot, Amy
Halko, Jeni Hansen Gard, Autumn Higgins, Barbara Hoffman, Meredith Host,
Wally Hyleck, Sarah Jaeger, Brian Jones, Lauren Karle, Kristen Kieffer,
Ashley Kim, Michael Kline, Martina Lantin, Dick Lehman, Clay Leonard,
Forrest Lesch-Middelton, Simon Levin, Brenda Lichman, Leanne McClurg
Cambric, Missy McCormick, Ryan McKerley, Lorna Meaden, Christopher
Melia, Melissa Mencini, Shane Mickey, Megan Mitchell, Courtney Murphy,
Ted Neal, Sean O’Connell, Lisa Orr, Gillian Parke, Kristin Pavelka, Doug
Peltzman, Ronan Peterson, Ron Philbeck, Chris Pickett, Sandi
Pierantozzi, Brenda Quinn, Beau Raymond, Ashley Roberts, Lindsay Rogers,
Audrey Rosulek, Cheyenne Chapman Rudolph, Nigel Rudolph, Deborah
Schwartzkopf, Sam Scott, Yoko Sekino-Bove, Leland Shaw, Amy Smith, Liz
Smith, Shawn Spangler, Amelia Stamps, Josh Stover, Roy Strassberg, Sue
Tirrell, Ehren Tool, Kyla Toomey, Jack Troy, and a collaboration between
Simon Levin and Amy Smith.
Allen, Dan Anderson , Linda Arbuckle, Andrew Avakian, Posey Bacopoulos,
Noel Bailey, Peter Beasecker, Catherine Boswell, Brooks Bouwkamp, John
Britt, Cindy Buehler, Kyle Carpenter, Benjamin Carter, Steven Cheek,
Annie Chrietzberg, Linda Christianson, Sam Chung, Nan Coffin, Tim
Compton, Jim Connell, Israel Davis, Chandra DeBuse , Maria Dondero,
Sanam Emani, Mark Errol, Marty Fielding, Susan Filley, Donna Flanery,
Emily Free Wilson, Brett Freund, Julia Galloway, Ernest Gentry, John
Glick, Ryan Greenheck, Mel Griffin, Martha Grover, Julie Guyot, Amy
Halko, Jeni Hansen Gard, Autumn Higgins, Barbara Hoffman, Meredith Host,
Wally Hyleck, Sarah Jaeger, Brian Jones, Lauren Karle, Kristen Kieffer,
Ashley Kim, Michael Kline, Martina Lantin, Dick Lehman, Clay Leonard,
Forrest Lesch-Middelton, Simon Levin, Brenda Lichman, Leanne McClurg
Cambric, Missy McCormick, Ryan McKerley, Lorna Meaden, Christopher
Melia, Melissa Mencini, Shane Mickey, Megan Mitchell, Courtney Murphy,
Ted Neal, Sean O’Connell, Lisa Orr, Gillian Parke, Kristin Pavelka, Doug
Peltzman, Ronan Peterson, Ron Philbeck, Chris Pickett, Sandi
Pierantozzi, Brenda Quinn, Beau Raymond, Ashley Roberts, Lindsay Rogers,
Audrey Rosulek, Cheyenne Chapman Rudolph, Nigel Rudolph, Deborah
Schwartzkopf, Sam Scott, Yoko Sekino-Bove, Leland Shaw, Amy Smith, Liz
Smith, Shawn Spangler, Amelia Stamps, Josh Stover, Roy Strassberg, Sue
Tirrell, Ehren Tool, Kyla Toomey, Jack Troy, and a collaboration between
Simon Levin and Amy Smith.
quotable
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| something i must remember in the pre-holiday sale season. |
via pinterest
a site 2 see friday: Studio Somethings by Kalika Bowlby
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