ArtSmart 2013 – Through the Kaleidoscope

Mark Your Calendars – ArtSmart 2013, March 15 – 17, Springfield, Missouri

The pieces in a kaleidoscope don’t change. They simply shift and transition into new and vibrant patterns, depending on reflection and movement.  Using these same principles,  ArtSmart 2013 will help you identify how to bring together all of the basic elements that comprise who you are as an artist to create a vibrant pattern that will help you succeed creatively and professionally.

Mark your calendars for ArtSmart 2013!  We are thrilled to hold the conference in the creative community of Springfield, MO at the University Plaza. The Plaza is located close to the thriving downtown arts and entertainment district and will be the perfect environment for the 3 day event!  They are offering our conference attendees a fabulous rate of $84.00 per room.  The hotel features delicious cuisine, a comfortable and elegant space and many amenities, including a beautiful indoor pool and a brand  new spa, which will be open just in time for the conference.  Consider bringing family or friends along for the weekend, there will be plenty for them to enjoy while you attend sessions!

We are looking forward to a wonderful conference featuring a lot of learning, a lot of networking and of course, a lot of fun! We have two wonderful guest presenters, Reed McMillan and Connie Mettler,  both  will bring a high level of skill and knowledge in the diverse areas arts industry.

Reed McMillan will be our featured speaker and session leader.  Reed has a passion for art, design and the creative process.  For the last twenty five years he has combined this passion with his sales, marketing and public relations experience to help artists, designers, galleries and art fairs promote their businesses. Reed is currently sales manager for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, held annually in New York City, which attracts 500 exhibitors from all points of the globe and more than 30,000 attendees. He has also produced The Artist Project New York, a fine art fair for independent artists to present and sell their work, and was director of sales for the Architectural Digest Home Design Show.

Prior, Reed was director of leasing at 7W New York, a building of showrooms for the gift, home design and textile industries, and was the executive business director at the Ana Tzarev Gallery, also in New York City. From 2004-07, McMillan was the shows director for the American Craft Council where he was responsible for the Council’s wholesale and retail craft show program as well as marketing and communications. Before moving to New York, McMillan was vice president of sales for The Guild, a publisher and online retailer based in Madison, WI. Reed is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and holds a bachelor’s degree in interior design and a master’s in interior environments.  He currently resides in New York City where he maintains close ties to the art and design communities.

Connie Mettler will join us for our conference activities and conduct sessions.  She has traveled the U.S. for over 25 years to participate in the nation’s juried fine art fairs.  She subsequently has used this experience to serve as an event consultant, art fair director and show organizer.  Connie says, “I now spend my days in the glow of my computer screen as the host of four art fair oriented websites: ArtFairCalendar.com, the #1 Google rated site for “art fairs”; ArtFairInsiders.com, an online community for artists with over 7500 members” ArtShowReviews.com where artists review the nation’s shows and CallsforArtists.com, a site that offers exhibiting opportunities.”  Over 35,000 subscribers receive her art fair e-newsletters with all the latest news about the art fair business.

In addition to breakout sessions, the 2013 conference will feature several additional activities that will make this a weekend enjoyable as well as educational!  Thursday evening will feature a pre-conference reception featuring demonstrations by BOMH Members Hue Parnell (Raku) and Marla Parnell (pastels).

Friday evening will feature the popular Frolics sessions, hands-on mini workshops, but will also offer an extended printmaking workshop conducted by BOMH Juried Artist and printmaker Deby Gilley.  We have had requests for enhanced workshops in addition to the Frolics, so we are pleased to offer this to conference attendees.

Saturday will be filled to the brim with activities and opportunities.  In addition to the breakout sessions,  The Artisan Showcase and Silent Auction will be open to the public again this year – space will be available for thirty artists, first come first served!  The showcase will be promoted heavily in the Springfield region and we anticipate many folks from the art loving community will come to check it out and shop.  All sales from the showcase will benefit the artist.

Saturday activities will include the first BOMH student achievement award. The award will be presented to two Springfield students who exhibit exemplary achievement the arts.

Saturday evening will include a reception at the Waverly House Gallery followed by a tour of downtown Springfield arts destinations, which will include a visit to Fresh Gallery to view a special exhibit of BOMH member work.  (BOMH has been invited to work with Missouri Arts  Educators Association to facilitate an exhibit that would allow members of MAEA the opportunity to view BOMH work – the MAEA conference is the week before ours! More details and call for entry will be released at a later date)

More info, conference registration, applications for financial assistance to attend and professional development awards will be posted  in December. An email notification will be sent out as soon as they are available!

Partial funding for ArtSmart is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.