The Next Step: Launch Your Fine Art Project

APG announces an exciting course – an intensive six-month class for experienced artists who have a mature photographic series (or are on the verge of completing one) and would like guidance to launch it onto the national stage.  Accomplished artist and educator Beth Lilly will guide and mentor eight passionate artists who have built a meaningful body of work and want to present themselves and their work in the best possible light. This class will help each artist to identify their goals for their work, formulate a strategy for achieving those goals and lay a solid foundation, developing the skills, knowledge and structure necessary to earn the attention their work deserves. The class combines engaging a mentor with the benefits of a broad range of insights and a supportive group setting.

This class will meet twice a month for six months.  We will meet on a Sunday from 1 – 5pm (4 hrs) and the following Thursday evening from 7-9pm (2 hrs).  For Jan – March, we will be meeting on Zoom and then if circumstances allow, we will meet in person at the gallery April – June. On Sundays.  Thursday will nearly always be online to accommodate anyone with a difficult commute on a workday evening.

IN THE COURSE OF 12 SESSIONS, YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING:

• An understanding of why you make art and what makes it uniquely your own through a series of presentations, focused critiques, discussion, interactive exercises and assignments;
• Strengthen your series into a cohesive project, edit and sequence the series for portfolios, publication, exhibition, etc.;
• Formulate a strategy to take your work where you want, whether it be funding, exhibition, publication, residences, where you and your work best fits in the contemporary art world;
• Write, receive feedback on and perfect the artist statements, bio, proposals, elevator speech, and promotions you will need for your series to be successful;
• Design and/or makeover your website and printed promotional pieces;
• Receive practice and feedback speaking about your work both casually and in formal talks in front of the group and special guests.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Photographic artists with some experience exhibiting your work – group shows are fine – and should have a completed or nearly completed body of work. You’ll need a working knowledge of photographic processes including capture and print output (whether yourself or through a lab), as well as editing and image management software such as Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom) Students should be committed to the class: attending classes, completing assignments and participating in discussion.

CAN I TAKE THIS CLASS IF I AM JUST STARTING ON A PROJECT? We will consider accepting students who want to “audit” the class, who will find listening in on critiques and discussion helpful as they develop new work.  However, they will not present nor receive feedback or critique on their own work. There will be extremely limited room for “auditors”. There will be a fee for auditing – amount will be determined following discussion with instructor and Programs Director.

A review of your work is required for admission to this course. You can submit work samples via a link to your website, online portfolio, or print submission. To send your link or arrange to show prints, please email sbethlilly@gmail.com with subject “Serie Launch Class Work Samples”