THANK YOU. Our 2014 Benefit Art Auction was an amazing night of celebration and support of the courageousness of artists. Because of so many people's generosity, we exceeded our Auction goal, raising $380,000+ to support Washington State artists of all disciplines with grants, career training & resources! 

 

This year's Auction theme -- Courage -- brought us together in support of artists who have the audacity, boldness, bravery, daring, persistence, fearlessness and courage to create, dream and pursue a life of innovation and art.  

 

The power and diversity of artists' voices were in abundance at the Auction. The evening was truly exceptional for its wonderful performances by James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award recipient Jessika Kenney and Arts Innovator Award recipient Eyvind Kang; installation by Mandy Greer with performers Vanessa DeWolf and Kate Ryan; video projections by KillingFrenzyVisuals; and music by DJ Pauly. Amid delicious food and cocktails, we enjoyed the stunning collection of donated artwork and jewelry. Our Fund-the-Artists portion of the evening was inspiring and spirited, thanks to several challenge gifts from some of our long-time supporters and board participants. 

 

Many thanks to our fantastic Auction co-chairs, Mark Haley and Sarah Traver, our Table Captains and our generous sponsors for making this our most successful fundraiser ever! 

 

And thanks endlessly to the hundreds of artists who contributed artworks, the hundred-plus volunteers and the hundreds of patrons who came out to support our mission. You make a difference to Washington State's craft, literary, media, music, performing, traditional & folk, and visual artists, who in turn enliven our world.  

 

Check out lots of fun photos and the video that premiered at the Auction! 

Meet the Artists: Etienne Cakpo & Amy O'Neal

 

Join grant recipients Amy O'Neal and Etienne Cakpo for a special dual Meet the Artist event! They'll show videos and talk about their work; then they'll dance a short duet, followed by a question and answer session.

     

Meet the Artist: Jeremy Mangan

Jeremy Mangan, Visitation, oil and acrylic on panel, 16"x12", 2012.

Join grant recipient Jeremy Mangan for a free live ice carving demonstration and Q&A.

Artist Trust At Large: Eastsound

Jean Behnke, Propeller Series-Pond scum (detail), block print on arches paper, 30"x20", 2012.

March 23, 2014, 1-2pm: Orcas Island Public Library, Eastsound

Looking to give your arts career a boost? In this free one-hour presentation, Artist Trust At Large speaker Jean Behnke gives you the scoop on how Artist Trust can help. You'll learn how Artist Trust serves Washington State Artists of all disciplines and how you can use these programs and resources to advance your arts business.

EDGE Professional Development Program for Visual Artists

2012 EDGE participants working hard amidst Centrum's inspiring environment. photo: Libby Gerber

The 2014 EDGE Professional Development Program for Visual Artists offers a comprehensive survey of professional practices through a hands-on, interactive curriculum that includes instruction by professionals in the field as well as specialized presentations, panel discussions and assignments. EDGE provides artists with relevant and necessary entrepreneurial skills to achieve their personal career goals as well as to develop peer support and exchange. Since 2003, 593 artists have successfully completed the EDGE Program.

"Never a day passes in my profession as an artist that I don't refer back to the tools I learned. The connection with fellow attendees bonded us in our mutual goals and you can feel the combined power when we get together. This will change your approach to your art business." [EDGE graduate Barbara Noonan]

The 52-hour EDGE Program includes: Professional Portfolio; The Business of Art; Supporting Your Artwork; Communication, Marketing and Outreach.

"I Am An Artist" in Spokane

Suzanne Ostersmith, Icelandic Gibberish. photo: Summer Berry, Gonzaga University costume designer.

Early registration discount deadline: March 28, 2014

Say "I Am An Artist!" and jumpstart or refresh your arts career! The two-day interactive I Am An Artist Professional Development Workshop for artists of all disciplines includes:

• Work Samples That Look Great
• Writing a Killer Artist Statement, Resume & Cover Letter
• Finding & Pursing Funding, Showing, & Performing Opportunities
• Online Promoting & Marketing
• Learn from Successful Artists: Q&A
• Feedback from Your Peers
• Rock Your Elevator Speech

 

Guest Presenters & Artists: 

• Shannon Halberstadt, Spokane Arts
• Zan Agzigian, literary artist
• Ric Gendron, visual artist
• Juan Mas, film artist
• Suzanne Ostersmith, dance artist

2014 Grants for Artist Projects (GAP)

Sachie Mikawa, Fancy Mud, 2012. performance still: Jim Hamberlinck

Heads up: The 2014 Grants for Artist Projects (GAP) application will be available this coming week! Start prepping to apply by visiting www.CallForEntry.org and creating your account.

Artist Trust awarded the first Grants for Artist Projects (GAP) in 1988; it remains one of the few project grants available to individual artists of all disciplines in Washington State. GAPs provide support for individual artist projects, including (but are not limited to) the development, completion or presentation of new work; publication; travel for artistic research or to present or complete work; documentation of work; and advanced workshops for professional development.

Check out previous GAP projects and start getting your materials together to apply!

Seeking Programs & Communications Intern

Zach rocking our first Tuesday Lunch Club.

We're looking for a detail-oriented, highly organized Programs and Communications Intern. Learn about our outreach and career training programs and get valuable insights into nonprofit arts administration. Plus, we're lots of fun.

This unpaid internship runs for a minimum of six months, 15-20 hours per week. Interns receive a one-year Artist Trust membership. While the position will remain open until filled, preference will be given to applications received before March 15, 2014.

News from Grant Recipients & EDGE Grads

Jennifer Frohwerk, cover of Use Your Noodle, Doodle!, watercolor, 2014.

Congratulations to:

• Jennifer Frohwerk, whose illustrations adorn the children's book, Use Your Noodle, Doodle!  

• Gabriela Frank's short story, "Pas de Deux," was selected for the anthology, Behind the Yellow Wallpaper: New Tales of Madness by the New Lit Salon Press.  

And check out:

• Ben Beres, Samantha Boshnack, Amanda Manitach, Zoe Scofield, Adam Sekuler and Stephanie Timm in the March issue of City Arts.

• Naoko Morisawa in Art Buzz.  

Opportunities for Artists

Thanks, Nichole

Nichole rocking the mic at last week's Auction. photo: Timothy Aguero

There aren't a lot of people in the world with the mix of passion and talent that Nichole DeMent possesses. She's an inspiring teacher, a super-organizer, and an amazing artist. Plus she's funny as heck.

We've been so lucky that she chose to dedicate her time to supporting artists by working at Artist Trust, and thank her endlessly.

There's no question that Nichole will continue to be a major advocate for artists and a mover and shaker in the arts community. But we'll be a basket of sad puppies here without her.

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