Artists often consider teaching workshops or classes. Some of us teach out of our studios, and others travel to venues where art centers, ateliers or individuals host us. But recently, I have been having so much fun being the HOST instead of the instructor.
For my personality, it makes sense. I really enjoy being around like minded artists for several days, but I also love the solitude when I am painting in my studio. Like most artists, it's heaven to be able to learn and share with my peers. Unlike most artists, I have this need to plan, organize, facilitate, and complete major projects. Part of me still enjoys using all these skills I used to get paid to do as a corporate engineer.
If hosting sounds like something you would enjoy, I would encourage you to try it out!
HERE is the link to the workshops I am hosting in 2016. DebKArt.com/Workshops has a pretty impressive line up if I do say so myself!
Just a few key things to consider as you start hosting workshops, either in your studio or another venue:
* Think of a name. I chose DebKArt Home Studios for mine. Teresa Oaxaca is the one who promoted me to name my studio, so it will stick in peoples' memories as a place they went to for their experience.
* Talk with other artists about what they enjoy or dislike about teaching in different venues. You will quickly realize that not all artists will be happy in your venue. That's okay. Seek out the ones who will. Juan Jr. Ramirez is the artist who recognized how great a fit it is for me to host workshops, and he is the one I pulled much of my early honest feedback from, in structuring my program.
* Invite artists who are your friends, to start. Sarah Siltala is my first workshop in 2016, and she is a dear friend. Her visit here is going to be social as well as educational, and I know she will give me feedback to help me improve.
* Choose artists whose work you admire. Cindy Procious is represented by Principle Gallery in Alexandria not far from where I live. Over the years, I have delighted in watching her career evolve, and she is one of the artists who inspires me to paint what I want, even if it's not always traditional. Her wishnicks and Barbie dolls series are contemporary and successful.
* Try to meet artists, or at least speak with them, before you book them. Shana Levenson is coming to teach TWO back to back workshops in June. I met her in Atlanta, GA at the Portrait Society of America conference - amazing conference - and Shana has such a great energy, I knew we would get along from that first conversation. When she comes to teach, another fun-to-be-around artist, David Kassan, will be her assistant. I'm really looking forward to hosting Shana and David for 7 days!
* It's important to offer variety if you plan to host more than one workshop. Chris Saper is not only an extremely experienced instructor, she is also an author and integrates a topic she is passionate about in her workshops - the business side of being an artist. In fact, students receive a free copy of her book. How could I not host her? Nobody else does this!
* Consider the artists who are likely to fully book a workshop in your location. David Cheifetz is the instructor I am hosting in November. He lives on the west coast, and this will be his only east coast workshop in 2016. Several of us in Northern Virginia have taken workshops from David in the past, and look forward to studying with him as much as we can. There is a high demand for his brand of realism in my area, and I'm confident we will have a waiting list for his event soon.
* Another thing to consider is the cost of hosting a workshop. Aside from lost wages and the initial investment in supplies and equipment, you will need to decide if you are going to provide snacks or meals for students and instructors. Will you entertain your instructors with dinners, trips to museums, etc.? Are you willing to share your still life objects, paints, brushes and cleaners? Even if some get "borrowed" or broken? Will you offer to ship wet paintings to students once they dry? There are a million little things that add up, and there is a cost associated with wear and tear on your venue. I discounted this at first, but have learned that each workshop will cost me $500-$1,000 when I host it the way I want to. Something to think about.
If this inspires you to host some workshops, I'd love to hear! Please keep me posted!!
