Art fair prep: Three things to remember
This time of year, many of the artists I know -- hi Clarissa Callesen! -- are knee-deep in art and craft fairs: buying as well as selling.
For those about to buy, I salute you. And I thank both artists and collectors for teaching me a few things when I visited the PNA Winter Festival and Craft Fair, a yearly Seattle show featuring more than a hundred vendors.
First: Make something.
You'll be there a while, so you might as well follow Gina McCauley's example and get some work done. Plus it's a conversation starter, if you're not the type to bite someone's head off if they ask a question.
Everyone's curious to know what artists do all day. You know, besides the whole bonbon-eating thing. Show them.
Second: Light 'em up.
Yeah, even if you're indoors, even if you're not selling jewelry that needs to sparkle a bit more. I know some exhibition places charge extra for electricity, but if not... hey, it's not just moths who can't resist bright lights.
Third: Deep, cleansing breaths.
If you can, claim the booth nearest to a source of fresh air. When the room gets stuffy, I bet you become the most popular artist around.
Best of luck to all my favorite art entrepreneurs! Where are you selling your wares this season? Let everyone know in the comments and on Facebook.
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| Clarissa Callesen's booth, PNA Winter Festival & Craft Fair |
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| Gina McCauley, aka Mama Snooter |
Second: Light 'em up.
Third: Deep, cleansing breaths.
Thursday with LHPAC: Self-"Expresso"
Ever been to an open mic night... that wasn't in a bar... and didn't have a cover charge?
During "Expresso Open Mic" people of all ages take the stage at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center in Seattle.
On the first Friday evening of every month, Freshest Roots hosts the free, family-friendly event at the LHPAC. After a little warm-up by the emcees...
... adults as well as kids can perform whatever they want, as long as they keep it clean. Teens and twenty-somethings mostly take the mic.
But so do kids closer to The Boy's age of (nearly) eight -- I'm told a little girl once got up and sang opera, and another kid played a tuba. Not strictly hip-hop or R&B singers at Expresso, although the older kids do lean that way.
Expresso Open Mic is fairly popular; usually between 75 and 100 people show up, in a room that can hold 150. So if you're looking for some Friday night fun, here are the details:
WHEN: Tomorrow, December 7, and every first Friday
WHERE: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle
PARKING: Yes -- and it's free!
MORE INFO: LHPAC event calendar and http://www.seattle.gov/arts/
After tonight, you have four weeks to get a babysitter. Or not -- let the kids take the mic.
FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAC on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAC," generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.
During "Expresso Open Mic" people of all ages take the stage at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center in Seattle.
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| All photos courtesy LHPAC & Freshest Roots |
WHEN: Tomorrow, December 7, and every first Friday
WHERE: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle
PARKING: Yes -- and it's free!
MORE INFO: LHPAC event calendar and http://www.seattle.gov/arts/
After tonight, you have four weeks to get a babysitter. Or not -- let the kids take the mic.
FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAC on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAC," generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.
Artist Motherboard on Pinterest: where the artist moms hang out
I suppose I should get an easel at some point... and maybe a dedicated studio space. But for now, the kitchen table and a sturdy chair will do.
I know a few other women who work motherhood into their art schedule art into their parenting schedule. Perfect example: Aimee Dolich of Artsyville. (She'll try to say it's not true. Pretend you didn't hear it.) Together we invited a handful of other artists/mothers to launch the Artist Motherboard on Pinterest.
It's a shared board where we show each other our latest work... encourage each other to finish works-in-progress...
... and generally revel in being with people who get that we need the art as much as we need the kid(s). Sometimes more. Aimee and I started out with five more contributors:
And it's growing!
Liv Lane, Allison Strine, and 24 other artists who happen to be mothers now contribute to the Motherboard, and we're just two followers shy of 200! Come join us -- leave a comment on a Motherboard pin, or follow the Artist Motherboard. Love to see you there!
And it's growing!
Liv Lane, Allison Strine, and 24 other artists who happen to be mothers now contribute to the Motherboard, and we're just two followers shy of 200! Come join us -- leave a comment on a Motherboard pin, or follow the Artist Motherboard. Love to see you there!