Monday, February 25, 2008

Member Appreciation Party

The Alliance for the Arts will be hosting their annual invitation only Member Appreciation Party on Friday, March 7, 2008 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. If you come to this event you will get the chance to preview the newest exhibit “Hanging By a Thread” featuring fiber artists Polly Matsumoto and Michelle Sales. Polly Matsumoto also be at the party to meet the Alliance members. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served during the party.

Those at the party will have a chance to win a vacation package as well as a one night only ticket presale deals for the 5th Annual Angels of the Arts Awards and Art Royale 2008 tickets. In addition to these advantages members will also be given discounts in the Alliance for the Arts gift shop during the private party.

If you didn't get an invite this year make sure you become a member so that you can participate next year. To become a member please contact the Alliance for the Arts at (239) 939-2787 or visit www.artinlee.org for more information.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Interview with Cheryl Jones Evans

Here is a short interview that Cheryl Jones Evans was nice enough to give us. She will be teaching the class "Art: Making a Living and a Life" on Feb. 23rd. from 9am to 4pm.


1. What is the hardest part about making art your career?

"The hardest part about making art your career is the courage and self confidence to begin! Most of us already have the talent and the intelligence to have a wonderful creative life; we just need to get started."

2. What suggestions do you have for artists that are trying to turn their art into their career?

"Relax, enjoy and take it one step at a time. It truly takes more energy and effort to NOT lead your creative lifestyle. With your artistic passion and a simple plan a creative lifestyle becomes easy, profitable and rewarding."

3. What type of problems might people run into when first starting out?

"The most frequent problem is giving up. A creative lifestyle is different from typical jobs, there will be times of rapid growth, but it is also perfectly normal to have stagnant times, too. The slow times are a normal part of a creative lifestyle, not failure."

4. Does one have to know a lot about business to make a career out of their art?

"An art business, like all other businesses has to keep financial records. (The federal and state governments require it.) Maintaining a simple accounting plan will keep your business chores to a minimum."

5. How can an artist maintain their own style and still be successful?

"Only your style can bring you creative success! Anything else is just another JOB."

6. You mention marketing as a topic in your February class, is it difficult for an artist to do all of their own marketing even if they have no marketing experience?

"Absolutely not! Your passion for your work makes you, your most effect marketer. Slick marketing
campaigns will never overcome the true excitement and creative passion that only the artist can have."

7. How long have you been making a living with your art?

"I have been an artist all of my life, but I began making a creative living in 1994."

8. You are the owner of Studio e, do you feel that owning a business takes you away from your art?

"Studio e is just a name and a place, my art is the business! Most of us have bought into the “artists are lousy business people” myth. There are abundant examples of artists with great business skills! We just do not focus on them."

Friday, February 8, 2008

Art Avengers: Super Heroes of the Arts!

Early Friday morning was the start of the transformation of the Art Avenger Tent for Art Fest 2008. Amy Smith and myself dragged all of our foam wristbands, superhero masks, craft kit complete with glitter and scissors and decorations for the tent. Then it was time for the enormous white tent to become a super hero art lair. We prepared for the Super art avenger kids arrival for the festivities on Saturday and Sunday.
Hundreds of kids came pouring in throughout the days ready to make their transformation into their art super hero. Masks, super power wristbands and necklaces of fortitude were made by the kids at different stations. Although it was a brutally hot day, the kids managed to have a blast!
Amy Smith was the brain and heart behind the super hero madness. And the event went off without a hitch! Here are some photos of Art Fest 2008!













Seminole Excitement!

The Alliance is buzzing with people checking out the current exhibit, "Florida's Seminole Indian's: A Journey With the White Medicine Man." This is a culturally rich exhibit that is definitely not one to miss. It will be on display until February 29th.

Myself and Megan, another intern here at the Alliance, have been getting paperwork ready for the annual Angels of the Arts awards. Nominations are in, and we can't wait to find out who will go home with one of these covetted awards on April 13th!

As you might already know, the Alliance is available for rentals. You can rent the Foulds Theatre, the Margaret Morrow Frizzel Amphitheatre and Grounds, exhibition gallery, classroom, conference room, and meeting room. Be sure to pick up a brochure with updated rate fees when you come in to check out the Florida Seminole Indian exhibit!

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

4th and 5th Graders Had a Blast at the Alliance

Last Wednesday Woody Hanson, the grandson of the White Medicine Man, came to speak with about 100 4th and 5th graders who visited the Florida Seminole Indian Exhibit here at the Alliance. The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves and each got to take home a bag full of goodies. Here is a little video of Woody talking with the kids.