FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – This June, ArtServe collaborates with community, business and civic partners in a month-long exploration and celebration of the business of making art that features a free gallery exhibit, lecture and workshop, as well as the hosting of the annual Artist as Entrepreneur Institute (AEI), which offers a course of study that assists artists of all disciplines in cultivating and advancing their business skills.
“Andy Warhol once said, ‘Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art,’ and he is a prime example of how you can pursue your art, learn to monetize it and remain true to your vision while also making a cultural impact,” noted President and CEO of ArtServe Jaye Abbate. “We delve into all aspects this month from the nuts and bolts of branding, pricing and selling to the joy of witnessing how local artists have put best practices to use to thrive and produce vibrant art.
”For eight years the celebrated Doing Business As…Artist Entrepreneurs collective (DBA) has presented an annual exhibition that showcases this dynamic group of South Florida’s rising artists and AEI alumni. This year, they present “CATALYST,” an all-media exhibition of select works from Wednesday, June 1 – Friday June 24. A free gallery reception will be held on Thursday, June 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Michael Harris and Timothy Leistner co-curated the exhibit which features artworks by Andrew Brown, Pedro A. Figueredo, Sylvie Fournier-Popov, GiannaD, Robert Grauer, Eliane Harvey, Andrea F. Huffman, Deborah LaFogg Docherty, MaiYap, Adam Collier Noel, Phoenix and Marilyn Walter.
Since its inception, more than 60 artists have participated in the annual exhibitions. Many DBA members have achieved local and international recognition while they also contributed to the vibrant South Florida community through teaching, exhibiting, producing community events and creating art in public places.
The 2016 AEI features an insightful talk by writer, journalist and visual artist Lily Clayton Hansen who speaks on Tuesday, June 21 at 7 p.m. Hansen is the author of Word of Mouth: Nashville Conversations: Insight into the Drive, Passion, and Innovation of Music City's Creative Entrepreneurs, a book profiling those who have helped drive the art, culinary and music scene fueling Nashville's boom. The forum and a closing reception is free and open to the public but seating is limited and reservations should be made at www.Artserve.org.
In another special event, McKinley Financial Services Inc. President Jim Drake and screenwriter Jacqueline McKinley present Business Needs for Artists & Performers, a free workshop held on Wednesday, June 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. The session examines the myriad of ways artists need protect themselves and their businesses and what specialized coverage they may be required to carry by states, municipalities, landlords and mortgagees. The workshop is free and open to the public but seating is limited and reservations should be made at information@artserve.org. AEI will be held at ArtServe on four consecutive Saturdays in June and feature a curriculum that offers support for artists to grow their businesses and contribute to strengthening the cultural sector. The rigorous series of 21 courses includes lectures, panels and interactive exercises led by a premier faculty of leading business practitioners and artists. AEI is presented in partnership with the Broward Cultural Division and the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture. Participation in the month-long AEI workshop is $100 and space may be reserved at Broward.org/arts or by calling (954) 357-7502.
Also in June, the Goldstein Schechter Koch CPAS & Wealth Advisors Gallery at ArtServe will present AEI graduate Isabel Perez Salazar, and Gallery 133 at ArtServe will feature an exhibition by AEI graduate Magdaly Montenegro. ArtServe also will be home to the Broward Artrepeneurs summer program, presented in partnership with the Puppet Network, designed for public high school students interested in starting theater companies.
ArtServe is located at 1350 E. Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale and admission to the gallery is free. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. More information is available at www.ArtServe.org or by calling 954-462-8190.
