Fine Arts Career Services

This weekend and next weekend we are participating in one of Austin Texas largest community art festivals. East Austin Studio Tour is relatively new to Austin but has quickly proven in the past eight years its potential to unite the artistic community of Austin. This year the tour also features 154 galleries, 20 exhibition spaces, 49 “Happenings,” and 30 programs taking place throughout the nine days.

Last week Harold and I began preparing as early as possible for the opening weekend. After prepping the walls on Wednesday of last week I was pleasantly surprised when two new interns volunteered to help hang the show. On Friday I gave them a crash course in the basic approach to hanging a gallery show and we proceeded to hang over half the show in little under four hours. It is amazing how proficient production can be with more than one set of hands. I returned on Friday night to the gallery to help with the logistics of organizing a tent outside the gallery where the gallery’s permanent collection and a few other artists set up.

Opening day was beautiful. The weather was nice and we were as prepared as possible for the days to come. The tent held the art display very nicely and on one side we arranged to serve beer, soda and snacks to guest. DiverseArts New East Arts Gallery received between 200- 300 people on Saturday alone. I would conservatively estimate at least one thousand to two thousand people were on the streets of east Austin for the opening weekend of E.A.S.T. (November 14^th and 15^th, 2009). The galleries, happenings and studios are easily accessible thanks to Big Media’s visually packed E.A.S.T. publications featuring maps, images and information. The gallery sold two paintings from the featured show of Amy Lindsay-Joynt and other prints, photographs and small sculptures from previous exhibitions. With the first weekend behind us we look forward to the hanging of David Zvanut’s exhibition and one more weekend of adventure.

DiverseArts has a full schedule for the month of November. East Austin Studio Tour will take place from November 14^th to the 22^nd. Kenny Dorham’s Backyard venue space has been employed to host an artist market on East 11^th St. on both weekends of E.A.S.T. This provides prospects for artist in the community, who otherwise would not be included in the tour, to display and potentially sell work.  At East 5^th and Comal the New East Arts Gallery will hold openings for two exhibitions. I hang the paintings of Amy Poynt this coming Monday and just twelve days later the paintings and glass murals of David Zvanut will be put on display until early December. I am responsible for generating three separate media releases and flyers to go out to our contacts for each event. With a new show approaching another must come down. New works bring fresh life to the walls of the gallery.

In addition to programming duties I have made it my top priority to initiate the recruitment of new interns for the Spring semester. After the internship fair last week there are roughly seventy resumes to further investigate. I am responsible for keeping up with all communications related to prospective internships. We have eight applications on file to date. I am hopeful that next season DiverseArts will have a fully functioning team of interns. The non-profit organization significantly benefits from a full staff in which each member is assigned a designated area of production. Harold and myself will be holding an informal internship information session at the gallery on Wednesday of this week. This creates an opportunity for students to become better acquainted with our organization and find the best fit for their expertise and interest. DiverseArts looks to the future with great anticipation.

This past week I had a very unique experience as a result of my internship at DiverseArts. I attended the Liberal Arts Career and Internship Fair this past Wednesday as a recruiter for this unique non-profit organization. Harold and myself interviewed anywhere from a hundred to one hundred and fifty bright young individuals to fill internship positions for the next Spring and Summer semesters. As a soon to be graduate of the University of Texas it is interesting to be on the other side of the career table. Interviews are constructed to find the best fit for each position. Questions aim to determine logistic information such as the area of study in which students are most proficient, academic standings and how individuals might best serve the organization. After a successful campaign at the career fair, the business of sorting through all the resumes and emails received is delegated to me. I have initiated a system of filing to organize the responses from potential candidates. Skill that set an individual apart from the crowd includes professional conduct, organization, responsibility and the ability to promote your abilities. When a sea of resumes confronts employers, determination may be as important as experience. An essential key to landing advantageous vocational positions is following up. Seven applications have been submitted out of a hundred interviewees. Candidates stand out not only because of their accomplishments but because they have contacted us by email and have expressed continued interest. I believe this experience better prepares my own endeavors to fill job positions and proactively react during interviews and occupational assessments exercises. “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing (Abraham Lincoln).”

In addition to planning for the future, DiverseArts is also addressing events and  programming to come in the remainder of the 2009 Fall season. I am currently initiating the final preparations for E.A.S.T. (East Austin Studio Tour), to take place the weekends of November 14^th – 15^th and 21^st - 22^nd. DiverseArts Culture Works will be hosting an artist market at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard and a new gallery show at New East Arts Gallery. There is a lot of development to be carried out in administrative areas. The non-profit is gearing up for the launch of a new and improved annual membership fundraiser and a reelection of the members of the board. I plan to attend a meeting this Thursday so I will be familiar with their conduct and the overall mission that drives this organization’s efforts.

“There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second,” according to the late writer Logan Pearsall Smith. This weekend I managed to accomplish both. DiverseArts’ creative energy has been focused upon the Fall season’s first new gallery exhibition, Heart Soul and la Familia. The night before the opening, paintings were strewn about the gallery in a manner reminiscent of the aftermath brought by Christmas mornings. New images bring new life to a gallery. For the first time in my life I understand the full effort it takes to produce an exhibition of art.

The walls of the gallery need great care. The scars left by previous shows must be mended before hanging can commence. Small discrepancies on the surface must be filled with plaster and a fresh coat of white paint restores the white gleaming walls. Paintings and images are grouped cohesively and moved about the room. Hanging a show is like working a jigsaw puzzle. The crowning moment arrives as the canvases are fastened in position after great care to determine their appropriate placement. A few finishing touches, title cards and artist statements, are fixed and the package is ready.

The day of an opening there is still much to do. Accommodations are made to welcome patrons and friends. A great survey of the final product is made. Once the show began guest arrived earlier than expected and the night was over before I could turn around. People left with their appetites satiated, a few sales were made but most importantly the job was done well. The work spoke for itself. Good conversations were had and new acquaintances were made. Success is fickle and it must be recognized and enjoyed where it lands. I learned that a gallery opening is as much a display of artistic achievement as it is a happening. When moments like this come along they best be enjoyed.

DiverseArts Blog Posting III

The world of non-profit production is not an idle affair. There is always work to be done and money to be raised. This week at DiverseArts I tackled the launch of annual membership drive to raise money for the organization and promote efforts to bring creative new programs to the Austin area. I am processes the initial pitch and generating a statement and pledge card to be sent to all contacts by mail and email. I will meet the deadline in about two weeks time once all preliminary planning concludes.

Every week I send emails and media mailings to promote coming events on the calendar.  I had the pleasure to participate in one such event this week. This Monday a public screening of Spike Lee’s When the Levees Broke was conducted in conjunction with DiverseArts, the Austin Public Library and the Texas Performing Arts Center. I arrived early to the venue to set up chairs, projection equipment and concessions in preparation for the event. Thankfully the weather was cooperative and we went forth without contest from the rain clouds in the distance.

An open discussion with former NOLA residents was held after selections from the movie were shown. This forum of discussion was eye opening. Four years after hurricane Katrina many unresolved issues remain unaddressed. Former residents discussed a common problem that many hurricane victims still face. Many people still have no home to return to, the sadness of displacement still haunts their daily lives. Scattered across the country and assimilated into the daily grind, the forgotten refugees of New Orleans face health issues such as post traumatic stress disordered, the need for closure and the constant grief of loss. The pre-production efforts that poured into this event culminated in an engaging and emotional portrait of the human spirit.

The audience stayed longer than originally planned to watch the 2^nd part of this engrossing documentary. The gathering adjourned and people walked to their cars just as lightning began to dance across the sky. One of many crucial steps towards recovery was made as the people of New Orleans congregated to share their stories, weather permitting.