Networking is one of the major keys to building your art business. But how can you do this in a way that feels comfortable and natural? This workshop will teach you how to create an elevator spiel that feels both authentic to who you are and engaging to the listener. You will leave the evening with the confidence to increase your success rate the next time you are in a large group and want to make the most of it. This is one of the most important skills you can teach yourself as an artist, don't miss it!

 

Wendy H. Outland (“WHO”) established her consulting business, WHO KNOWS ART, in 2004 after completing the Foundations Program at Mountain BizWorks. With more than 20 years of museum, public art and gallery experience (Blue Spiral 1 manager, 1991-2003), she provides career development training to visual artists. She also juries exhibitions and festivals, presents workshops and helps galleries and arts organizations function more effectively.

 

Sept. 22, 6-8 p.m. - 153 S. Lexington Ave.

RSVP by /24, naomi@mountainbizworks.org or 253.2834 ext. 11

$25 per person

ashevilleartistalliance.com

Networking begins @ 5:30 p.m.

June 23, 6-8 p.m. - 2004 Riverside Drive – Space is Limited!

RSVP by 6/18, naomi@mountainbizworks.org
253.2834 ext. 11

$25 per person

ashevilleartistalliance.com

Networking begins @ 5:30 p.m.Come learn both 2D and 3D setups for photographing your artwork by local art photographer Steve Mann! This event will be a hands on evening located in Steve Mann’s studio.

Steve Mann opened Black Box Photography in 2001 as a full service commercial photography studio. Steve received his B.F.A. in Photography and Art History in 1992 and has been photographing artwork for reproduction for over 20 years. He has helped countless artists and craftspeople get into juried exhibits, professional organizations, and graduate school with professional images of their artwork. Steve has also done extensive editorial photography for magazines such as Explore, WNC, Thread, Carolina Home & Garden and Verve.


Directions: 2004 Riverside Drive - Woodfin. From 19/23 north, get off on Exit 24 (Elk Mtn. Rd). Turn left at the top of the ramp and go @1.5 miles until you reach a stop sign at the bottom of the hill. Turn left onto Riverside Drive and go 100 yards and pull into the 1st parking lot on your right. There will be a sign at the far end of the parking lot that says Riverside Lofts II. Come up the steps next to the loading docks to Unit W, down the hall to the right.

 

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* All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made of requested two weeks in advance. Contact the staff member listed with said event to request accommodations.

Marketing Asheville’s Creative Community - Lessons from the Artists

Thursday, April 15th - 11 a.m.-noon
On Broadway - 49 Broadway St.
Free, no RSVP required – limited seating

Asheville has a magnetic draw for artists across all disciplines. With such a vibrant and growing arts community, there are certainly challenges for each artist as he or she seeks to create an identity and get the word out about their art as a way to build excitement (and sales) for their art.

In most cases, artists themselves are forced to become marketers - with some being more successful in this role than others.  

This panel comprised of local artists will be available to answer your questions on how they have succeeded (and failed) in their attempts to generate awareness for themselves and their art... as well as generate sales.

Rebecca D’Angelo has been a freelance photographer for over 13 years, nine of those with a contract position for the Washington Post. Her work has been shown in several major US cities and published nationally and locally. Rebecca is also the gallery owner of Studio103.

Ginger Huebner is the founding director of Roots + Wings School of Art, offering unique and engaging visual arts program for people of all ages and abilities. She also works from her studio creating works of art using the mediums of collage, chalk pastel, encaustic, and other mixed media.

Chall Gray is a theatre and music producer residing in Asheville. Over the last few years he has produced many theatre, music, and literary events, most with very limited funds. Currently he works as the Marketing Director for Asheville Bravo Concerts.

Tommy Calloway handles all booking, production elements, marketing, and management of The Feral Chihuahuas, a local sketch comedy group. He is also the Creative Services Director and On Air Personality for Asheville Radio Group.

Constance Williams is a professional artist and experienced businesswoman who specializes in encaustic painting and sculptural hand-built clay. Constance Williams Gallery is located at 9 Riverside Dr. in the River Arts District, in CURVE studios & garden, across from 12 Bones Smokehouse.

Lorraine Conard is a singer/songwriter based in Western North Carolina. Her experiences as a professional web designer and with online marketing have been a tremendous asset to her musical pursuits.

Moderated by Naomi M. Langsner
Member Center Manager – Program Specialist, Mountain BizWorks

 

Marketing Asheville’s Creative Community - Lessons from the Marketing Professionals

Sunday, April 18th - 11 a.m.-noon
On Broadway - 49 Broadway St.
Free, no RSVP required – limited seating

Asheville has a rich pool of talented marketing and communication professionals.  Some have more traditional advertising and marketing backgrounds and experience ... others have honed their natural instincts ... and still others who “put in the time” to learn and apply the latest digital and social media platforms and techniques.  

What do the pros have to say about applying the art & science of marketing to Asheville’s arts community?  How would commercial marketing professionals approach an artist’s goals of growing awareness, sales or attendance at events, shows, concerts, exhibits?  How important is marketing research, targeting, brand positioning?   Is it a smart idea to think about expanding the “brand” image of the artwork and artist outside the community for regional or national growth?

This panel comprised of marketing and media professionals will exchange thoughts and ideas about how to use general market advertising/communications/media skills to promote arts and artists.

After a discussion period, they will be available to field your questions on understanding and mastering the power of the communications in promoting your art business.

Moderated by Craig McAnsh
President & Creative Director - NATiVE Marketing

 

www.ashevilleartistalliance.com

www.hatchasheville.org

www.mountainbizworks.org

 

Learn to overcome your fears and anxieties about promoting and marketing your artwork by learning to:

• Prepare physically and mentally for presenting yourself and your art.
• Develop a pre-presentation routine.
• Identify long-term and short-term goals for self study and growth.
• Increase relaxation to minimize pre-presentation discomfort.
• Maximize concentration and focus while reducing distractibility.
• Learn your natural processing style (i.e. auditory, kinesthetic, visual) in order to   enhance your presentational style.

This will be an experiential/participatory workshop led by artist and psychotherapist, Roger Miller. There will also be group participation as we learn relaxation/visualization exercises.

RSVP by 4/23, naomi@mountainbizworks.org or 253.2834 ext. 11
Networking begins @ 5:30 p.m.
April 28, 6-8 p.m. - 153 S. Lexington Avenue
Light finger food provided - $25 per person

ashevilleartistalliance.com



* All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made of requested two weeks in advance. Contact the staff member listed with said event to request accommodations.

Confirmed: Special Guest for the February Artist Alliance Workshop!

Anna Parker-Barnett, owner-director of Gallery Minerva in downtown Asheville, will be on hand to give artists the gallery owner's perspective on this process.  Also, she'll be available for some Q&A - don't miss this opportunity to ask those burning questions!

Hope to see you Wednesday, the 24th.
Don't forget to RSVP by February 19
828.253.2834, ext 27 or naomi@mountainbizworks.org

The Total Package:
Pulling Together Your Artist Packet and Where to Go from There

Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 6-8pm
Networking begins at 5:30pm
Light bites provided
$25
RSVP by Fri., Feb. 19!
828.253.2834, ext 27 or naomi@mountainbizworks.org

Wondering what sets you apart when it comes to potential clients, galleries, juries, and publications?

Learn how to create, improve, or perfect all the pieces of your Artist Packet:
•    Artist Statement
•    Bio and Resume
•    Images of Artwork
•    Press Releases
•    and more…

Enjoy a fun evening of hands-on learning and leave prepared to apply to juried shows, festivals, and grants, and seek out the right gallery representation, feature articles about your work, and great press coverage.

Bonus: Bring an image of your favorite work to jump start your new and improved Artist Packet!

Presented by Angelique Tassistro, ceramic artist and founder of Dog Door Studio, and Rachel Zink, founder of giveArtfully.com, the online gift registry of handmade art & craft. 

We invite you to join our steering committee to help create unique workshops and events to support local artists enhance their business skills. In this meeting, we will be working on the final touches for our February workshop.

The Asheville Artist Alliance mission is to provide assistance and opportunities to WNC artists for the development of business skills needed to succeed in their venue. The Asheville Artist Alliance is in its sixth year of producing Artist Seminar Series workshops and events, which are designed for WNC artists to provide assistance and opportunities to develop successful business skills.

RSVP by January 22
828.253.2834, ext 27 or naomi@mountainbizworks.org

Free and open to the public. Light finger food provided.
January 27 @ 6 p.m. • 153 S. Lexington Ave.
 
* Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the SBA. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made of requested two weeks in advance. Contact the staff member listed with said event to request accommodations.

Mountain BizWorks & the Asheville Artist Alliance Announce
A Holiday Party & Art Sale - Dec 17th at Jubilee!

Thursday, December 17th
Holiday Art Sale: 2-7pm
Holiday Party 5-7pm

Jubilee!
46 Wall Street, Asheville
Light finger-food provided


Event Contact:
RSVP for the Holiday Party
Naomi Langsner
(828)253-2834 ext. 27
naomi@mountainbizworks.org
www.ashevilleartistalliance.com
www.mountainbizworks.org


(Asheville, NC) Come enjoy Mountain BizWorks’ Holiday Party featuring the Holiday Art Sale! This is your chance to buy local and support WNC artists by doing some holiday shopping and getting that unique arts gift for your loved one! Finger food, light refreshments, cash bar, music, awards, and more will happen during the Holiday Party portion of the day, but feel free to come early and do some shopping!

This event takes place at Jubilee! located at 46 Wall Street in downtown Asheville. The Holiday Sale will take place from 2-7pm,  feel free to drop in at anytime! This is a great opportunity to get to know some of the participants in the Asheville Artist Alliance and to informally meet the staff at Mountain BizWorks.

The Holiday Party starts at 5pm going through 7pm. During the Holiday Party Mountain BizWorks will be honoring and thanking their clients, staff, and community members. There will also be awards given out for noted businesses of 2009 and supporters. The Holiday Party is open to the public; please RSVP to naomi@mountainbizworks.org or 828.253.2834 x27 to let her know that you will be attending.

For 20 years, Mountain BizWorks has been in the hope business, the dream business, the opportunity business. Mountain BizWorks values serving all individuals who aspire to be entrepreneurs and they believe that people should be able to create a better life for themselves and their families through business ownership. Mountain BizWorks believes that successful businesses create long-term social benefits and economic prosperity, particularly in under-served communities. They value the dignity and work of each individual and encourage self-sufficiency, accountability, and cooperation. Furthermore, they value being a community that bridges the gap between entrepreneurs of varying incomes, geographies and ethnicities. Mountain BizWorks is an entrepreneurial, non-profit organization that operates with a double bottom line of social impact and financial viability -- ensuring a permanent resource for the Western North Carolina region.


In 2008, Mountain BizWorks was able to provide its services (such as business development classes) to 988 entrepreneurs (65% were low-income, 61% were women, 22% were racial or ethnic minorities)

Those individuals created 159 businesses and expanded 310 businesses.

In turn, those businesses created 292 jobs and sustained 780 jobs.

They also made 64 loans totaling almost $1,002,000 and leveraging $1.3 Million.

The Asheville Artist Alliance is a collaboration between Mountain BizWorks, Arts2People, and the Asheville Area Arts Council. The mission of the Asheville Artist Alliance is to provide assistance and opportunities to WNC artists for the development of business skills needed to succeed in their venue. The Asheville Artist Alliance is in its fifth year of producing Artist Seminar Series workshops and events, which are designed for WNC artists to provide assistance and opportunities to develop successful business skills. For more info visit: www.ashevilleartistalliance.com

Come celebrate 2009 with Mountain BizWorks and the Asheville Artist Alliance!

It's Wendy H. Outland, of WHO Knows Art!

Much thanks to Wendy for a great presentation Wednesday evening, on "Surviving and Thriving During the Holiday Season."

Wendy spoke to artists about how to reach new audiences for sales and opportunities, how to approach clients this holiday season (and keep them coming back), and even selling techniques to improve your bottom line. 
Workshop participants had this to say about Wendy's workshop:
“Outstanding.”

 “This was an information filled presentation that used the allotted time well.”

“Very good business suggestions i.e. examples, how to talk to customers, and conversation ideas.”

Wendy H. Outland has over 25 years experience in the visual arts and is owner of WHO KNOWS ART, providing career development services to visual artists and helping galleries and arts organizations function more effectively.
She presents a wide range of career development workshops and offers her expertise as exhibition juror, festival judge, curator, editor, and project manager. As an alumna of Mountain BizWorks’ Foundations program, this is her sixth year in business, and to date she has clients in eighteen states. Find out more at www.whoknowsart.biz