Get Your Art Up and OUT; Cayuse’s Centennial

What percentage of artists working in Jackson Hole have pierced their immediate circle of collectors and taken their art to a new level? Branding happens when you’ve “arrived,” and nobody is a brand before that leap. Jackson’s art market is one of the strongest in the nation, recognized primarily for its historical and contemporary Western Art.

What if you’re not a native Westerner? What if you’ve moved here looking for answers, searching for a supportive venue? Perhaps you’ve been here forever, respected and recognized. Still, the art world at large doesn’t quite know it, and you’re not a household name. You’re selling, but you want to sell more. No sugar daddies (or mommies) around, no private plane connections, no trust fund….Maybe you’re shy.

 Just as an improved diet and better sleep will elevate health… so too can artists empower themselves by embracing necessary entrepreneurial techniques. Competition between artists for collectors is unnecessary. ~ Borbay

Borbay and Friends to the resue!

On Friday, July 29th, 1:30 – 3:00 pm at the Art Association’s Gallery, Borbay, Ben Roth and Claudia Bueno will talk on the topic “How to Get Your Work Beyond Jackson Hole.” The session is free. Heck, I wish I could be there!

 

“I’m a major advocate for the success of artists… if I can provide any help whatsoever, I’ll do it in a heartbeat,” writes Borbay. “Much of the creative class suffers for one simple reason: they didn’t become an artist to deal with market development, branding, legal documents, web development and accounting — but without these tools, they have little-to-no chance of being a professional artist. The creative paradox…but, just as an improved diet and better sleep will elevate health… so too can artists empower themselves by embracing necessary entrepreneurial techniques. Competition between artists for collectors is unnecessary. There are enough collectors, tastes and styles for everyone. Art sales are good for artists everywhere.”

Bueno, Borbay and Roth will offer up their own approaches, allow time for questions and conversation and share their experiences. Arrive early and you’ll get a chance to see Bueno’s new installation and hear a talk about her own creative process.

“These are all incredibly successful artists – they create exceptional work and found ways to make a living as artists. They each do this differently, which is the coolest part about the conversation we’ll have on Friday,” says the Center for the Arts’ Carrie Richer.  “Hopefully it will spur ideas and get more local artists to consider steps that might lead them toward new opportunities. I’m eager to hear the conversation and look forward to planning more of these panels in the future on behalf of the Center for the Arts.”

“You will learn things,” says Borbay. “You’ll learn about contracts, artist calls, networking, taxes, how to sell your work, leveraging each opportunity, residencies, grant applications and catching that wave when it rolls in.”

Here’s the day’s schedule:

12:00-1:00pm: Claudia Bueno’s Artist Talk, Center Courtyard.

1:00 -1:30pm: Refreshments and mingling.

1:30 -3:00pm:  Panel Discussion: “How to get your Work Beyond Jackson Hole?” — with Claudia Bueno, Borbay and Ben Roth.

Afterwards, hang out with Borbay for a personally guided tour of his extended show,  Painting Light, viewable at the Art Association into August. 240 South Glenwood, www.artassociation.org. Phone: 307.733.6379. 

It’s the National Park Centennial, and in that spirit Cayuse Western Americana is devoting its summer season to commemorating all Cowboy, Park and Native American heritage relevant to our region and beyond. On hand at Cayuse, located on North Glenwood in Jackson, is a treasure trove of collectibles. Two floors house weavings, silverwork, prints, saddlery, jewelry, belts, buckles, and countless treasures.

From September 9 – 30, Cayuse features a stunning assembly of Navajo Saddle Blankets. 

“Navajo legend tells us the Sun Being had beautifully colored horses representing dawn, day, dusk, night and stormy weather,” writes the gallery. “Their blankets reflect the bright colors of the Sun’s horses and are as varied as the light in the vast Western skies.”  www.cayuse.wa.com