2017: My Year of Art Project… SUCCESS!

What a year it was. Looking back I’m amazed by all that I accomplished. I would say my 2017: My Year of Art project was a definite success! The concept behind the project was to experience as much art related as I could and explore to find my artistic voice and direction. Intrinsically I have always known where I have wanted to go with my career but I needed these experiences this last year to solidify what is there.

I worked at the St. George Art Museum all year and I was put into a new position as Art Museum Specialist – Art Education.  That was an amazing experience as I was pushed to my limits on several occasions, especially the Halloween event and having to be more crafty than I ever thought possible. I had this crazy idea that we do 20 events for 20 years and wow, that was intense! I helped plan, organize and work nearly all 20 of the events. I even created the logo. And we still had our regular monthly events as well.

Part of my responsibilities for my Art Education position, I got to participate in the Summer Culture Class on Ancient Greece. I used my ninja organizational skills to help it run smoothly and designed some materials for the class. I even made an Athena shield which expanded my craft skills further. I was quite amazed how it turned out.

Also, with the museum I was able to attend the Utah Museum Association conference in Vernal, UT in October. I got an overwhelming idea of what other museums—big and small—do and it was an eye opener for sure. For during that time I was seriously considering switching gears and focusing all my attention on a career in museums. As I am still with the St. George Art Museum, I am not confident a full career in museums is what I want do.  I do love the art education aspect and will continue to focus my museum career on that. But all in all, I am a graphic designer/photographer/artist and I will seize any opportunity I can to utilize those skills in my position as Art Education. 

Going beyond the work I did at the museum, I got to do many art projects and learn new art mediums. I painted pottery at the Tilted Kiln in St. George, UT—I still need to learn how to make pottery, I participated in the Sketchbook Project 2017 and attempted Inktober 2017. I learned how to hand stretch canvas—amazing! In August, I gathered some of my friends and family and arranged a class to learn how to paint with watercolors through the studio I am part of. Since then, I now paint/practice once a week with watercolors with my mom. I attended a few Southern Utah Fiber Arts group meetings and I learned how to paint on fabric and learned some fiber art techniques. I wrote many poems and read them at the monthly Open Mic Poetry Jam at the Art Museum. And I was able to complete 3 acrylic paintings and find my painting style due to the fact I had a studio space to work in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was not only able to find a studio space at Blue Raven Art Studio-Gallery in Kayenta, but by the end of the year I expanded the space into 2 slots as I decided to increase my freelance graphic design business. I joined organizations: AIGA, Southern Utah Art Guild—participated in 2 of their art shows—and Color Country Camera Club. I attended a few photography events for Color Country Camera Club and a few meet-ups for Fine Art Photographers Guild. I was a juror for the St. George Art Festival 2017 and manned a booth for the St. George Art Museum. In December, I participated in the Southern Utah Art Guild Juror training so I could be a candidate to be a juror for one of their art shows.

 

I went on the Arts to Zion studio tour in January and got to meet and visit many local artists and galleries—even Blue Raven before I was a part of them. I attended the amazing Business of Art Seminar put on by Dixie State University/Sears Art Gallery, I highly recommend that. I also had the opportunity to attend the St. George Arts Summit. At the end of the year I attended a half day seminar “Make 2018 Your Best Year Yet” through the St. George Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Influence Center. All those events I learned amazing skills and gained great ideas and I will be able to apply what I learned to help make my 2018 a success.

During the summer I had a humbling chance visit 16 museums in 12 days in the New England area—including The Met! That was an experience I will never forget. Yes, I cried when I saw a Frida Kahlo painting at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. I came back from that trip knowing that if I wanted to be successful and somewhat close-ish to the caliber of art I saw, then I needed to really focus on my art career and put more time and practice into it, which is my project for 2018.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me this year. You all helped make it great and creative! Here is to the next and may 2018 be better than the last! 

(Sorry this was long, but wow, a lot did happen!)