Changes and Updates as the Guild Grows
The Arts and Craftsmen guild steering committee has undergone several changes in the last few months. In order to best serve the guild, adjustments have been made. Going forward, the guild newsletter will be sent out on a quarterly basis, with the schedule being updated on the website to reflect any coming events. Also, announcements will continue to be made via social media, so if you have not followed the guild on Facebook please take a moment to do so by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/Arts-Craftsmen-Guild-839159359500390/. Amid the busy summer into fall show schedule, many of our juried artists have participated in shows at the Roycroft campus and beyond. This year's summer show on the campus featured music, food, and antique dealers along side some of the most talented artists local to the village. The Roycroft campus continues the tradition of offering fine quality works at the annual Holiday show, scheduled for December 1st and 2nd from 10am to 5pm on the campus. Please click here for details: https://roycroftcampuscorporation.com/index.
September was a busy month for the guild. Our open meeting on September 13th featured speakers who shared secrets to selling artwork outside of shows. First, Karen Smith gave a brief overview of the process of setting up and using Etsy, the pros and cons of the site, cost, features, and some pointers for how to make the powerful selling site work for artists. Then, Kateri Ewing gave a detailed presentation showing how she has managed to create multiple income streams solely as an artist using a plethora of tools such as: Instagram, Facebook, Bluprint, and Patreon, to name a few. She passed on much valuable information, along with innovative ideas about how to make art a career and build a community unique to your own craft.
Later in the month, on September 22nd, the guild's steering committee hosted new artists as they juried. Of the applicants who presented, three were awarded the title of Juried Artist. Dave Kutina submitted his beautiful hand made wood electric guitars, Jason Baker presented stunning wood inlay pieces, and Holly Ruby dazzled with pulled glass creations. We welcome the newest juried artists and look forward to seeing their talents on display! The October 11th open meeting was a field trip event. Members were treated to a tour of the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo. The tour was hosted by William (Bill) Menshon, Arts and Crafts Curator and BPAC facilities manager, who conducted the group through the museum. He gave details and an inside look into the history of the center, along with insight into the life and work of Charles Burchfield. Following the museum visit, several members enjoyed live music at the Roycroft Inn, and the evening proved enlightening and entertaining.
The guild's November meeting will take place on the 8th at 5:30pm. A new style of meeting, it will be a show and tell with the topic being "Inspiration". Artists are invited to bring a piece of work (or photo) and talk about the inspiration behind it. Come and see what spurs others to be creative, and talk about what moves YOU as well. This meeting will only be successful with participation, so please be ready and willing to share with us! As always light refreshments will be available, and if you would like to bring something to share, members are gratefully encouraged to do so. The guild will finish out the year with a final open meeting on December 13th at 5:30pm. The meeting will be a holiday party, and we will have a "one minute commercial" opportunity, where members will introduce themselves and talk briefly about what each of our respective businesses entails. What a great way to get to know everyone!
The steering committee will reconvene in January to begin planning the next exciting and productive year. Please keep an eye on your email and social media so that you don't miss any information, news, and updates that may be announced in the following months, and as always, we look forward to seeing you at the next meeting!
