Teaching visual artists how to operate the business component of their craft since 2009, the Dixie State University Sears Art Museum is hosting its final Business of Art conference this year.
Set to take place Nov. 12-13, the two-day conference will be held at the Dolores Doré Eccles Fine Arts Center on the Dixie State campus. Registration is now open at searsart.com.
“Business of Art has always been successful,” Kathy Cieslewicz, DSU Sears Art Museum director and curator, said. “Through the conference, all kinds of visual artists have been taught how to set up a business for their art. They have learned how to make money and contribute to the economy of Utah as prosperous artists.”
The first day of trainings, Nov. 12, will include morning business classes in collaboration with the DSU Business Resources Center, an afternoon of Plein Air Painting on Main Street in conjunction with Gallery 35 and life drawing with artist Julie Rogers facilitating. That evening, a reception will feature keynote speaker artist and author Roland Lee.
Then on Nov. 13, the featured luncheon speaker will be Vern Swanson, who served as the director of the Springville Museum of Art from 1980 to 2012. He has written and co-authored seventeen books and is known internationally. The day will also feature ten classes on a variety of subjects taught by professionals.
The Business of Art has been supported by Dixie State University, the Utah Division of Arts & Museums grant, The St. George City RAP grant, Southern Utah Arts Guild, Southwest Technical College’s Custom Fit program, Gallery 35 and the DSU Business Resource Center. The conference was first held in Kanab and continued for many years with the support of city officials and their volunteer center. Throughout the 12 years the conference has been offered, more than 250 professional presenters and keynote speakers from all over the state have lent their time and expertise to help artists.
“It has been my pleasure to help artists throughout my career,” Cieslewicz said. “It’s hard to describe how this has changed my life. What a privilege it has been to know so many wonderful artists from all over the state. Remember, they don’t call it artWORK for nothing.”
For more information and to register for the Business of Art conference, visit searsart.com.