I feel like summer is over and that it really never started. My long- planned vacation is history and the days are shrinking. But the excitement of a new art and gallery season are right around the corner. Back to school means back to work. Business picks up as artists change their gears as well. As my book is being ruthlessly edited, I’m preparing for fall workshops in Nebraska, Iowa, and Florida. Be sure to check those out at http://www.artbizcoach.com/workshops . I’m also adding new classes. I keep hearing how long and intense my Promote Your Art Class is, so I’ve decided to offer additional, more focused classes as well. These include The Web Site Makeover that’s coming up in just two weeks, as well as others on blogging and creating a buzz. While not all of the secrets have been unveiled, the class schedule has been updated at http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes . I hope this finds you enjoying the many benefits of air conditioning.

The Web Site Makeover

Online workshop August 27-31 only

NEW! This quickie workshop will help you improve your Web site. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer--or have a designer waiting in the wings-- this is perfect for you. Web guru Patricia Velte and I (along with others in the workshop) give you a good five days of feedback on your site and you can implement the changes on your own. Limited to the first 10 people who enroll.
http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/makeover.html
 

Promote Your Art With Confidence

Online class begins September 12

Invest in the basic knowledge for promoting your art effectively and with confidence. We cover networking, Web sites, using email, advertising, media kits, and much more.
http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/promote.html


► View all upcoming classes and events.
 

FEATURE ARTICLE

Discover Art in Your Own Backyard

If you live in a city, even a small one, it can be difficult to keep up with art exhibits, programs, and events. If you live in a rural area, it’s probably even harder. Life gets in the way, you make excuses for not getting out more and, before you know it, the exhibit you most wanted to see has closed. Or the visiting artist’s lecture has come and gone. You can’t believe you missed out.

Or, on the opposite side, you have come to think that there just isn’t much happening around you, so you’ve given up on having any art in your daily life and schedule.

I remember years ago I was driving some people around Washington D.C. We were all young interns from the same home city working on Capitol Hill. One of my passengers began a diatribe about how she was excited to be in a city with so much to offer in the way of art because nothing was going on back home. The steam started coming out of my ears. I asked her if, when at home, she had ever been to the symphony, a musical, gallery, or museum. No. No. No. No. She had never visited any of the places I mentioned. I proved my point. Somehow the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence.

There are opportunities all around you: opportunities to be inspired, opportunities to learn, opportunities to meet people, and opportunities to exhibit and sell your work. You just have to take the initiative. Don’t write of your community. There is more art there than you think.

Read the papers, especially the smaller ones, to find out what is going on your area. Get out of your studio and explore.