Become an Artrepreneur

Making art and marketing it are two entirely different endeavors.

That’s why the Nevada Arts Council, the Carson City Visitors Bureau (CCVB) and the Adams Hub are teaming up to offer Artrepreneur, a four-week series for artists on marketing and selling their art.

“How does your passion pay the bills?” said Mark Salinas, Carson City’s arts and culture coordinator at the CCVB.

It’s a topic most artists can relate to.

“I know when I got my degree in art no one talked about it, it wasn’t encouraged,” said Peggy Wynne Borgman, Adams Hub, community curator. “I’m struck by how many artists have questions about marketing and are frustrated. I thought there’s an opportunity here.”

Artrepreneur starts May 3 at the Nevada State Museum with a workshop and presentation on story by Teri Vance, contributing writer, Nevada Appeal.

“We’ll start at high level and talk about what motivates them to do what they do,” said Borgman. “It’s not enough to just make something people like. You have to cross that bridge to people buying that work and fostering collectors.”

The remaining tracks cover web site presence and e-commerce, social media and venues such as fairs, festivals and galleries.

The May 10 event to be held at the Brewery Arts Center features Casey Sibley, Casey D. Sibley Art + Design, a textile designer whose work is sold in Reno’s West Elm store; Paul Baker Prindle, director, University Galleries, University of Nevada, Reno; and Curtis Beck, president, CWB Events, which produces fine arts festivals in northern California and Nevada.

The May 17 and May 24 workshops, both at the Adams Hub, will include presentations by photographer Larry Burton; Andrew Daugherty, vice president, business development, Reno Aces; Sharon Rosse director, Capital City Arts Initiative; and Annie Zucker, executive director, Sierra Arts Foundation.

Each workshop is from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

A graduation on June 3, coinciding with the downtown wine walk, will feature a pop-up show of art by the attendees where they can put their new skills to work.

Already, 20 artists have signed up for Artrepreneur so the organizers added another five slots, which are available via Eventbrite at eventbrite.com.

The series costs $49 and the deadline to sign up is April 17.