Art On The Corner

Who doesn't like to be featured as an artist? I'm sure none of you raised your hand and if you did, we need to talk. The Fine Arts Center of Hot Springs is hosting their annual Art On The Corner and they are looking for artists to feature. This is a great opportunity not only to gain some exposure for your lovely creations, but also to pad your pocket a bit as $500 in prize money is up for grabs! I know that would buy me a lot of supplies or pay for a couple of craft shows, so I know I'm signing up for this one.

Maureen Ganster, one of the Hot Springs Fine Arts Center Board of Directors, writes this:
"This Compeition is for Arkansas artists only and has $500 in cash prices. The 20 finilists will exhibit at the Hot Springs Fine Arts Center (a non-profit organization) in the month of October, 2008. The winner will be the featured artist and have the center area of the Hot Springs Fine Arts CEnter to exhibit 20-30 pieces of art."

The deadline to enter is September 6, 2008 - so enter now!

For more information about the Hot Spring Fine Arts Center, visit their website HERE.

For a copy of the application, email Idyll Hands at knittinghands@yahoo.com.

Arkansas Craft School Apprenticeship Program

Hey ARETSY - this is another opportunity that Glassbead sent my way. You only have a few days left (because I somehow missed this one when she sent it a few weeks ago) to apply or nominate but it's a GREAT opportunity - so act fast.

The Arkansas Craft School , located in Mountain View , Arkansas, is seeking applications from Master Craft Artisans and for its 2008 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. Interested Master Artisans should be skilled in a heritage, traditional, or contemporary craft medium. Apprentices should be persons who have a continuing interest in improving his/her skills as a practicing artisan.

The 2008 program will involve one apprenticeship in each of the Arkansas geographic regions – the Delta, the Ozarks, the Arkansas River Valley , the Quachitas, and Southwest Arkansas . Selected Masters will be paid a stipend of $4,800 for the program which will begin on October 1, 2008 and end on April 30, 2009. There is no charge or stipend for participating Apprentices.
Masters will work with selected apprentices in their own studio/workshop. Masters and apprentices will be expected to demonstrate their craft at a public event in their region at the culmination of the program. Apprenticeships will be supervised by the Program and Curriculum Committee of the Craft School which will provide site visits during the process by Dr. Mike Luster, project coordinator.

Applications for both Masters and Apprentices are available at the Arkansas Craft School ’s website, www.arkansascraftschool.com or by contacting the School Office at arkcraftschool@mvtel.net.

The School will also accept nominations for both Masters and Apprentices. To nominate a candidate, a letter from the nominator indicating the reasons for the nomination should be accompanied by a completed application form for the nominee. Deadline for applications and nominations is August 22, 2008.

The 2008 Apprenticeship Program is made possible in part by a grant from the Department of Arkansas Heritage, funded by General Improvement Funds provided by the Arkansas General Assembly.

The Arkansas Craft School is a program of the Arkansas Craft School Education and Support Association, Inc. (a 501.c.3 designee) in partnership with the Ozarka College – Mountain View and the Ozark Folk Center. The School is located in Mountain View , Arkansas , and provides program on the campuses of the Ozark Folk Center and Ozarka College.

WKNO Gallery 10 Arts and Antiques Auction

Like I said, GlassBead had a wealth of information to send us about opportunities around our state (or right across the river from us - as it is in this case). This one is for the WKNO Gallery 10 Arts and Antiques Auction. WKNO is a not for profit, public broadcasting station out of Memphis, TN. It has been on the air since 1956 and rely heavily on donor support and events like this one. Fayth Rowland, WKNO Marketing Representative, sent GlassBead the following information:

"The 18^th Annual WKNO Art & Antiques Auction will be broadcast live on Channel 10 on November 8, 9 and 15, 16.

We plan to continue the two new twists we added to the Auction last year: The Collection and Emerging Young Artists segments.

The Collection is comprised of approximately 100 jury-selected, gallery ready pieces. Once selected, these pieces will be showcased together and the final day of the auction (Sunday, November 16) will be dedicated solely to these pieces.

Emerging Young Artists will feature the work of new young artists and a segment of the Auction on Saturday, November 15 will be devoted exclusively to this work.

Consideration for inclusion in The Collection or Emerging Young Artists is optional and will be at the discretion of the individual artists.

All work not included in these segments will be sold on Saturday, November 8, Sunday November 9 and Saturday, November 15.

We have great appreciation for the generous support of our donors and we will continue to focus on getting as many people as possible to view their art in person during the month of October.

In anticipation that you will consider supporting WKNO by participating in Gallery 10, I am taking the liberty of including more specific information regarding the Auction and will follow up to answer your questions and to see if we may count on your support."

Please email me at knittinghands@yahoo.com for an application for this event. Or you can contact Fayth Rowland for more information at frowland@wkno.org or 901-325-6587.

For a Good Cause

Thank goodness for Laurie over at Glassbead. She is somehow on the "get great emails" list and sent over a few opportunities to post here at the AREtsy blog. There are quite a few to share with the group - so keep your eyes on this blog over the course of the next few days and I'll get all of them posted.

My first posting of the week/weekend is for the Gallery of Hope fund raiser. You have the option of donating your artwork to the Candlelighters of Central Arkansas, a non-profit 501-C3 organization devoted to assisting children with cancer and their families in Arkansas, or donating a portion of the sales from this auction. Either way, it's a win win for both a great cause and the artist.

A letter about the event says this:

It is with sheer gratitude that I am writing to you! This year is our third annual fundraiser, Gallery of Hope, which will feature artwork from local artists and children with cancer in Arkansas. The event will be held on September 13, at 7:00 p.m. at The Peabody Little Rock and will feature live and silent auctions of various types of art, music, drinks, and food. We are hoping it will be a fun event, raise awareness regarding childhood cancer, and of course raise money for Candlelighters.

It is my hope that you will help support a wonderful organization located here in Little Rock. Candelighters of Central Arkansas is a, 501(C)3, non-profit organization serving children with cancer and their families. As a board member of this organization, and a social worker at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, I see first hand how Candlelighters directly affects our cancer patients in Arkansas and the surrounding areas.

When one of our children is diagnosed with cancer, nine times out of ten a parent has to quit their job to care for their child. As you can imagine, finances become a significant stressor and there are limited resources available to help. I can continually rely on Candlelighters to help our families with practical assistance during their child’s treatment. They have helped our families with money for rent/mortgage, groceries, gas, utilities, even tires for the car. They are the only organization that helps pay for funerals for our children - something no one likes to admit happens, but unfortunately does at times.

Please consider donating a piece of your art or sharing the commission from a piece of your art that would be auctioned at the event. If you chose to share commission, you may choose the percentage you wish to give to Candlelighters. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about the event, families we help, or specifications on the art we are requesting. I appreciate all you do for the Arkansas community and look forward to working with you to assist the cancer kids of Arkansas.

If you choose to participate in this year’s event we have enclosed an information form/artist contract. Please fill out the following and return it by mail or email. This information will assist with organization of the event itself as well as financial issues. Please assist us in planning for the event by turned in all artwork by August 16, 2008. We will be contacting you about specific drop-off locations and times. If needed, we can assist in arranging for someone to pick up the piece of work from you. All artwork needs to be delivered as if ready to sell, hang, etc. There are no regulations on the size of the piece. For the artists who have chosen to share their commission, all money will be paid to you within 14 days of the event. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me at 501-364-6513 or Kristy Davis at 501-364-1406. You are also welcome to email me at calhoonct@archildrens.org

Again, thank you for your generosity, time, and creativity. “Because Kids Can’t Fight Cancer Alone” and thanks to you, they don’t have to.

Sincerely,

Carrie Calhoon, LCSW
Hematology/Oncology Social Worker
Candlelighters Board Member/Art Recruitment Chairman
www.arkansascandlelighters.org
(501) 364-6513 office; (501) 680-6151 cell
calhoonct@archildrens.org email

If you are interested in an application, please email Idyll Hands at knittinghands@yahoo.com or I'm sure you can contact Carrie Calhoon with the Candlelighters directly for more information.

AREtsy Mixer

It's been quite awhile since we got together to show off our crafts and chat. We are having a get together on Saturday, August 2nd at 1 pm in Conway. Please check the yahoo chat group and look for the e-vite in the group messages (CLICK HERE). You can RSVP through the e-vite link or through the yahoo group. Email Cyndi Minister (TheTwistedPurl) if you have any questions.

Please bring a finger food or a dessert to the shin dig. Also bring along a sample of your work, to show off. There will be food, crafts, and fun. There will even be a kids craft table set up in the backyard, so feel free to bring your kiddos.

Hope to see you there!

New AREtsy Website Coming Soon

We have been working on a website for the Arkansas Etsy Street Team. Before it can be released, we need your help.

We want the site to be as much a part of everyone's artwork and ideas as possible. Please send pictures of your crafts and any graphics you may have that really speak of our wonderful state. Throughout the site, there will be links to all our shops, how to guides and much, much more.

If you have an instructional guide written somewhere online (your blog, the storque, etc.) , on How To do something crafty, please also send those links.

Send the links and pics to cyndi@thetwistedpurl.com

Thanks so much for all your help! Our new website will be released soon, and keep an eye out for more information on the site itself.

YART Sale

Many artists on Etsy are having a YART Sale and many of our AREtsy team members are joining in. This is the perfect opportunity to buy from your favorite shop and save a few bucks in the process. The sale began yesterday and is planned to last until June 20. Some shops are participating in it the entire time, some just for a few days, but rest assured, you will find a deal.

AREtsy shops having a YART Sale:

Punkinhead
AletteDesigns
DogwoodLane
EkioArt
GlassBead
JudySnow
IdyllHands
Ashlie'sBowtique


*** If you are a member of the AREtsy Street Team and are participating in the YART Sale, please leave a comment and we'll add you to the list!!!***