ROCKLAND – For its fifth year, the annual Artists & Makers Conference will feature a new location and expanded offerings tailored to meet the needs of Maine’s artists and makers and offer practical tips and strategies to help start and grow arts-related businesses in Maine. This year’s event will take place on Friday, April 6, 2018, from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Point Lookout in Northport. Hosted by Archipelago and the Island Institute, the conference is open to all artists and makers who live and produce work in Maine. Registration is now open, with a full schedule and details available at www.islandinstitute.org/archipelago.
Workshop sessions at the conference offer three themed tracks – Foundational, Transformational, and Inspirational – which tailor presentations for those just starting a business, those looking to grow their business, and those interested in tips for maintaining fulfillment, passion, and inspiration in their business. Guests are able to focus on one track throughout the day, or they can mix and match from different ones depending upon their areas of interest. Other highlights include a Pecha Kucha-style event to inspire creativity and lots of opportunity to network with others.
A new offering this year is an afternoon keynote presentation, which will feature Peter Korn, founder and executive director of the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport. In addition to writing Why We Make Things and Why It Matters: The Education of a Craftsman, which won the 2014 Maine Literary Award, Korn is the author of several how-to books. These include the best-selling Woodworking Basics: Mastering the Essentials of Craftsmanship and The Woodworker’s Guide to Hand Tools. Prior to founding the center, he spent six years as the program director at Colorado’s Anderson Ranch Arts Center and four years as an adjunct associate professor at Drexel University. A furniture maker since 1974, his award-winning pieces have been exhibited nationally in galleries and museums.
In addition to the keynote, speakers at the conference will include Kate McAleer of Bixby & Co., jewelry designer Maggie Bokor, art historian Daniel Kany, curator and photographer Denise Froehlich, Julie Horn of the Maine Arts Commission, Andrea Beaulieu of Studio Linear, and porcelain ceramic artist Tim Christensen. Topics include: “Three things I wish I had known when I started my business,” Building a website in Squarespace, Financial Resources and Opportunities for Maine Artists, Pathways in Fine Art, Branding – telling your story to reach your customers, and Creating Community through the Arts.
Early-bird registration for the 2018 Artists & Makers Conference is open through March 17th and costs $30 per person. After the 17th, general registration will cost $35 per person. All tickets include a light breakfast, lunch, fruit, and beverages.
To register or view a complete agenda, visit https://www.islandinstitute.org/archipelago.
For questions regarding registration or the conference, please contact Archipelago Director Lisa Mossel Vietze at (207) 596-0701.
