Last post was in regards to the “Creative Arts Roundtable” at Business Ownership Initiative (BOI) on August 24 -Â a hit! The setup was with five local artists (the fifth, D. DelReverda-Jennings, was added after my last post) and an attorney specializing in helping artists with any/all legal issues related to their business. The amazing Tricia Guagliardo came up with the concept of having a program targeted towards artists, a first at BOI, and assembled the panel. The room was packed and fairly vibrating with an intangible goodness that evening, completely filled with enthusiastic artists and art enthusiasts. (Including, interestingly, Susan Gilmer, who is the process of writing about my story for a future BOI newsletter.)
In alphabetical order by last name, I learned a little more about what the panelists do and what drives them, what it takes to succeed in the business of art. Eventually I realized that even though my name falls in the middle of the alphabet, I was destined to go last – right after the attorney with the impressive credentials. No sense holding myself small, I told myself. So my words came from my heart with the hope they would land where they needed to.
My bit explained my early love of art, then metal, and how a tree falling on my studio and the loss of my job in construction management led me last year to my true calling – making jewelry and objects. And then a little bit about Social Media – at which point I plugged social media icon Kyle Lacy. My friend and media designer Stephen James happened to be in the room, so I plugged him too and when he got up & spoke for a moment, the group asked what he did. He received a big round of applause for eloquently saying that he supported his talented wife, Rachel Steely James, so she could do her art.
Afterwards, a class member approached me and told me he, too, lost his job last year and was pursuing his former part-time art, and that my words resonated with him. Helped him see that there were others in the same boat, and we’re floating on the same water. A couple days ago, Tricia was kind enough to e-mail the class evaluations and I was overwhelmed by the positive comments given to the panel, and the encouragement to forge ahead that was resonated with the participants. This is something I’m certain will become a part of BOI’s offerings in the future.
Maybe even better is the chance for people to come together in this difficult and wonderful time to let each other know the good that is there for us to find, when we take a minute to look.
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