ARCTIC EXPEDITION FUNDRAISER 2019 LARGE

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To make a pledge click the link and view my entire kickstarter site.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sandrahawkins/arctic-circle-2019-arts-and-sciences-expedition-re?ref=creator_nav

My Arctic Circle 2019 Arts & Sciences Expedition Residency, Svalbard Norway

For this once-in-a-lifetime artist's residency, I'll spend nearly 3 weeks on the tall ship, Antigua, sailing Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, only 10-degrees from the North Pole. In addition to having to pay to participate in the residency, I’ll need to raise funds for travel, special arctic ice boots and art supplies.

I am committed to pay for the Expedition Residency fees and book the Ottawa to Svalbard flights by March so am launching my Kickstarter immediately!! My goal is CA$7,500. If I don’t reach this goal, I will receive nothing.

I've created a list of Donation Pledge and Thank You Gift (rewards) levels focused on adding my art to your collection. My Thank You Gifts are inspired by Arctic Circle experience whether created during or post residency. Learn more at:  https://sandrahawkinsarcticexpeditionjourney.wordpress.com/blog

and http://www.sandrahawkins.ca

What is the Arts & Sciences Expedition?

This unique artist residency is a program of The Arctic Circle and has been sending artist to the Arctic Circle since 2009. Visit The Arctic Circle's website for more details. http://www.thearcticcircle.org

An artist residency is typically located outside of the participant’s everyday distractions.

Why is this important at this time?

I believe my art contributes to climate change discussions individually and across organizational structures. Ocean levels are rising due to melting arctic ice impacting global coastline habitations. This residency is important to my art because it offers collaborative strategies to deal with the uncertainties of climate change. As an artist, I want my art to challenge socio-political perceptions at the same time as evoking intimate resonance around the uncertainty, loss, memory and identity.

ART SALES, SOCIAL MEDIA & POP-UPS

Using social media to sell artworks is no longer a new phenomena. That said, I recently have tried an on-line auction with ArtBomb.com (http://www.artbombdaily.com). Distribution is across Canada. There is a one time $75 administration fee, and a 50% commission on all sales. The starting bid is established by the artist. Something to consider is whether the amount reflects the fair market value that your previous clients have paid for similar work. I've noticed while researching what sells on-line that artworks are often smaller and less expensive. The dimensions are clearly stated. However, all thumb print image sizes have the same visual impact when viewed on a digital screen. In addition to third-party social media marketing, several of my fellow artists are successfully selling from their Facebook page. Each time an artwork is sold, no matter the venue, it is announced with great excitement on the artist's social media pages, effectively contributing to a dynamic artist image, encouraging curiosity and interest about their work, and perhaps more sales. For some artists, social media works more effectively than the traditional bricks-and-mortar gallery approach. Speaking of which, the pop-up gallery is another alternative some artists are embracing, and there are many variations of this idea too. I'm beginning to explore these alternatives. As a long time visual/media artist having had an exhibitions career, and occasionally represented in bricks-and-mortar galleries, I've accumulated a lot of artwork in storage spanning a life-time. Its no longer practical to deal with galleries concerned with the date a work was created. In my view, if its good art it should transcend the test to time. 

WORKSHOPS JAN 8, 9, 10 - 2016 OTTAWA

The "Business of Art for Visual Artists Workshop" is organized to facilitate participants ability to connect the dots that are relevant to identifying and accessing their audience. Hands-on activities with role-play exercises. The open workshop structure welcomes all levels, mediums and stages in career. Its a great start to the new year! While we cover all the topics listed, we focus on the priorities of the participants and the starting point of their particular needs. 

Contact Sandra: shawkins@rogers.com to register by December 31st, 2015.

BENEFITS TO PREPARING FUNDING PROPOSALS

With little amounts of funding available for individual visual artists and hundreds of applicants, the reality has become that being selected feels like winning a lottery. Jurors have more excellent proposals from which to choose than are funds available.

Reasons to apply, assuming the artist meets all the requirements are:

1. Helps the artist to organize and articulate their thoughts about the project on paper.

2. Forces the artist to step back, review their visual support documentation in relation to their proposed project, make selection, and order for presentation impact.

3. Preparing a budget gives the artist insights to the economic feasibility of their project

4. Educates a "peer jury" about the breadth of the artist's practice, and the project for future opportunities if not selected this time.

5. Your ideas are out there and you have no control of how they might be interpreted, or used.

6. Finally, while most artists feel their proposal should be selected by the jury, the reality remains that there are more good applications than there is money so a priority list is created. If your proposal is number 6 on the list and there's only enough funding for 5 applicants, then you are out of luck.

7. We say, "good luck!" for valid reasons. Any winning artist is probably well deserving, and there are more also that may be deserving. By the luck of a moment in time, when a group of jurors try to rationalize an order for decision making, can determine a "successful" candidate. 

ARTISTS RESIDENCIES 2014

Planning for 2014 has already produced an invitation by the Vermont Art Centre, Artist Studio Residency Program in Johnston Vermont U.S., March 30 to April 25. I'm grateful to be selected for this residency opportunity to exchange with international artists from different disciplines, geographies and cultures. I've been assigned a beautiful painting studio to allow the space for unknown possibilities. Having a research-based practice, I work across medium and disciplines investigating the fluidity of memory and ecology of narrative space.

This will be my fourth artist residency: Gibraltar Point Toronto Islands 2002, Hungarian Multicultural Centre Budapest Hungary 2007, Banff Centre Alberta 2009 and now Vermont U.S. in 2014, about 5 years between each. 

When researching an Artist Residency for application, I'm careful to study the appropriateness of their mandate, the interests and professional backgrounds of program leaders and those of previous artist attendees. In addition, whether the organization will provide financial assistance, and specifically to me. As I will have to seek additional assistance from Canadian arts funding agencies, the Residency's international credibility with these agencies is also important. As a world traveler, I also consider geographic location for inspirations. The Vermont Art Centre Studio Residency Program meets all my criteria and is within driving distance from Ottawa cutting transportation costs. My research preparation during the next few months is to conceptualize an open-ended project with room for shifts in direction influenced by the actual residency experience.

BUSINESS OF ART BOOTH @ OTTAWA ARTPRENEUR CONFERENCE

The "Business of Art Training Inc./B.O.A.T. Inc. will have a booth at the Ottawa ArtPreneur Conference Saturday October 19, 2013, 8:30 am to 5 pm. There will be key note speakers, workshops and demonstrations with the intent to help artists in business.

The Business of Art Training Inc. booth is contributing to this event with free business of art tips, sign-up for workshops, and the latest publication, "Business of Art - Visual Artists in Canada 4th ed." available for purchase.  The 3rd edition book will also be available at a reduced price.

Workshops being offered are:
1. Getting Started - 6 hours - $125
2. Mid Career - Seminar Format - 6 hours - $125
3. Comprehensive - 12 hours - $250



Workshops are intensive with presentations, demonstrations, discussion and role-play exercises. The groups are kept small to encourage optimal individual attention for specific needs.

Where?   Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Boulevard. Ottawa, On K1E 0A1 www.shenkmanarts.ca - Tickets are available at the door, $45.00. (remember this is an eligible tax deductible business expense.)

Conference Description: The overall Conference program will feature inspirational and successful key note speakers, real-world experience workshops, relevant product demonstrations and numerous networking opportunities. This is a collaborative effort between AOE Arts Council, Ottawa School of
Art, the Shenkman Arts Centre and Wallack’s Art Supplies. The aim is to promote entrepreneurship in the creative industries and become Ontario’s leading business conference for artists.
I'm pleased to participate in the third Ottawa ArtPreneur Conference this Sat. October 19, 2013 at the Shenkman Centre Orleans all day. Our motto, "helping artists in business". Tickets available online at: eventbrite.ca, or at the door.

Sandra Hawkins - Arctic Return (Atrium Gallery) - Video Interview by Liana Voia

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