Andy Warhol once said “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art.” (It’s alright to take a moment and let this sink
Andy Warhol once said “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art.” (It’s alright to take a moment and let this sink in.)
For a lot of artists the business of selling their art does not come naturally. The unfortunate end of this reality stick often goes untouched because of inexperience, indifference or a classic case of avoidance behavior. Whatever the reason or excuse, if you want to make money from your art, or increase your profits, you need to know more about business fundamentals.
Sponsors Volcano Art Center and the Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art are offering The Business of Art workshop. Instructor Ira Ono, Volcano resident and Big Island artist, will help you navigate the basic business principles in this one day intensive workshop. From the initial pros and cons of being your own boss to copyright basics to branding your product, you’ll discover what’s right for you and your art. Gain unique insights which are realistic and result in profitable solutions. Topics will include: Pricing your product for profit, Focus on galleries / Gift Shops, Trade Show Visual Merchandising, Affordable display techniques, Fool proof presentations, Internet marketing and getting free publicity.
The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, at HMOCA. Cost is $45, with member discounts. Participants are encouraged to bring sample art work for Ono to review. To register, contact Volcano Art Center at 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Ono is a multi-faceted visual and performing artist well known in Hawaii for his fresh and innovative work. He’s an internationally known artist with works in the Hawaii State Art Museum and private collections in the U.S., Europe and Japan. He is the director and founder of Volcano Garden Arts.
Two additional Business of Art workshops will be offered on the Big Island by instructor Tiffany DeEtte Shafto. The full-day workshop will be held in Hawi on Aug. 23 at the Kohala Village Hub and on Aug. 30 in Holualoa at the Donkey Mill Art Center. Shafto is an award winning woodworker and an active community volunteer. She has served on several boards including the Hawaii Craftsmen and the national Craft Organization Development Association.
These workshops are supported in part by a grant from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s Creative Industries Division.
