By Caroline Roosevelt, Columnist, The Times
Last weekend, I attended a workshop for artists and creative entrepreneurs at Square Pear Gallery in Kennett Square. I’m not usually one for productivity on a Sunday, but this workshop piqued my interest as it appealed to a very specific creative audience.
Square Pear’s “Winter Workshop” featured a two part event hosted by a panel of artists and creatives who have paved their own unique paths in their respective industries and shared their tricks of the trade.
April Heather Davulcu, illustrator of marketer extraordinaire of April Heather Art, hosted the event along with Corien Siepelinga, owner and curator of Square Pear Gallery, and Estelle Tracy, chocolate educator and social media expert. I was a little cranky about getting properly dressed and socializing with anyone at 8am on a Sunday morning, but immediately perked up when I arrived to find a.) coffee and b.) a bunch of fun artists in a cozy gallery setting.
The morning session focused exclusively on product development and branding. April, Estelle, and guest speakers/artists Colleen Attara, and Stephanie Ryan shared their individual experiences developing recognition, and tangible value to their art and services. April opened the event sharing her story, and then introducing the group to her product resources and experiences developing merchandise as an artist. As an illustrator, April Heather Art is featured on Etsy, Wayfair, Trader Joe’s, exists as a brick and mortar within Square Pear Gallery and participates in Clover Market. I listened, ears perked, as each speaker shared their wealth of knowledge, and I soaked it in like a sponge.
The afternoon session featured the same panel, but focused on social media. As a millennial, I often times brush off the suggestion that I need any more training outside of my personal experience growing up and living in the age social media. However, Estelle Tracy and Stephanie Ryan provided some specific tricks to optimizing one’s social media presence and communicating with an audience. I left this workshop with tangible goals, physical handouts, and a lot of consider as an artist and I’m sure I was not the only one. Kudos to Square Pear for hosting, and for thinking outside the box to create unique programming outside of gallery exhibitions. I look forward to their future events and workshops.
Carol Lesher and Susan Myers works as featured at Blue Streak Gallery.
First Friday is coming up, and the Art Loop in Wilmington has plenty to offer. Blue Streak Gallery will be hosting Kennett Square’s own Carol Lesher as well as Susan Myers. Lesher will be showcasing her sweeping oil and mixed media abstract landscapes, alongside pastels by Myers. .Stop by Blue Streak for a reception this Friday, March 1st from 5 – 8pm. Exhibition will continue through April 2nd.
Still by Jacalyn Beam
The Howard Pyle Studio will host a themed exhibition, “Blue and White Show” featuring work from the studio artists. Stop in for their First Friday reception from 5 – 8pm. Station Gallery in Greenville will host a reception of Jacalyn Beam’s solo exhibition, “A Way of Seeing – Plein Air Paintings of The Brandywine Valley” on Friday from 5-8pm. If you’ve grown up in the area, as I have, you may enjoy these lush paintings of familiar bucolic scenery in the area. If you are new to the area, let the paintings introduce you to the beauty of the Brandywine Valley! Stop by and meet the artist during the reception. This exhibition continues through the end of the month.
As always, tune in to Art Watch Radio 1520AM every Wednesday from 1 – 1:30pm. Next week, Amie Potsic interviews Brandywine Museum curator Amanda Burden. Until next week!
