the artist online learns the lesson of social networking

One of the most unrealized elements essential to a creative career is the power of an artist social network. It can be quite overwhelming to commit full-time to a creative process and then spending more energy on the marketing process. Luckily, the days of lugging an over-sized portfolio from gallery to gallery in hopes of some decent exposure are over. Among the many networking benefits of increasing technology, there is now a great place for the artist online. What better way to get involved in art organizations than a database featuring local events, creative talent and resources that emphasize exposure without the hassles of expensive marketing. Artists are rarely taught marketing skills in their training and almost never have the time or inclination to do so. They often work in isolation so a networking opportunity like Asheville-based Call for Creativity provides a venue for them to promote their work that doesn't require expertise in business strategies.

Whatever left brain skills are lacking in the artists mind are clearly compensated for in the extremely imaginative and creative propensity. There is also a certain camaraderie among artists, where there is often an interest in collaborating and communicative support systems. Thus the most appropriate tool for those to gain exposure may be an artist resource that provides creative types a window to learn what others are doing. Anyone can contribute to an artist guide and simultaneously learn about local events and like-minded creative talent. Within all of the unique expressive disciplines, there is so much to learn and so much to gain by networking within the given interests of every community. From animation to metal works, outsider art to murals (to give a miniscule example of the broad spectrum of each medium), there should be no obstacles in gaining access to the artists’ local creative directory.


Without paying a dime or leaving the studio, the creative community can learn about all the call for artist entries local to Asheville and beyond. Perhaps this is what artists have needed all along! Artists and arts organizations advocating for each other! Instead of paying some sort of agent to promote the works, there is a mutual exchange that benefits other artists-- a collaborative creative directory, for artists, by artists and supporters. What could be more natural? It's almost like there's an alliance, or creative arts club, where artists support each other in every community. Yet how difficult it is sometimes to make the connections and join these social networks. Technological advances have opened up a global exchange for ideas and work. With resources like C4C, the artist online has more advantages than ever before in contributing to their own creative network.