Tips for budding artists

Suzie Harrison

They’ve spent years honing their artistic skills, now they have been

given the chance to learn some of the less glamorous aspects of life

as an artist.

Deadlines, pricing and dealing with galleries and customers are

issues Laguna College of Art and Design fine art students have been

exposed to through the Laguna Gallery Mentoring Program.

“The mentoring program is done through the Art Walk and last year

was the first year,” participating gallery owner Diane DeBilzan said.

“It’s a great opportunity to give someone new a fresh start or a

little bit of a beginning.”

Gallery owner Robin Fuld directs the program and matches the

gallery with the student based on the mentor and the particular style

and art of each individual.

Brooke Mello, 22, is working with DeBilzan.

“We selected which piece would be best and discussed aspects of

how an artist approaches a gallery and what type of material they

need such as an artist statement and bio,” DeBilzan said.

The work of the mentee, an oil painting on wood panel, went on

exhibit during First Thursdays Art Walk and will be on exhibit

through Monday. As part of the project the students were at the

gallery to answer questions and tell about their work, which can be

daunting. The business side of art is something new for them.

Mello said she was looking forward to the task and said that their

professional studies class helped prepare her and her classmates for

the business aspect of art.

“We get our first gallery experience through this program,” Mello

said. “It introduces us into the gallery setting, we bring in our

work, meet with the gallery director about the business aspect -- the

etiquette of working with a gallery.”

She said she was looking forward to her introduction to the Laguna

Beach art community.

“It’s a potential opportunity to sell work as well as get out in

the public,” Mello said.

A daunting aspect of exhibiting for many new artists is

determining a price for their work, artists tend to prefer creating

much more than pricing.

“It’s hard when you’re an artist and want to spend more time on a

piece. Meeting deadlines can be a time conflict,” Mello said. “But

that’s part of life as an artist -- it’s exciting. I guess that’s

what really makes it fun actually.”

But Mello said the process of deadlines and learning the business

has opened the door and taught her a lot.

“It’s just a great experience to be involved in,” Mello said. “It

really opens up a lot of opportunities.”

Gallery director Nancy Morris at Fingerhut Gallery mentored

Victoria Walters, 32. Morris has experience with mentoring through

her work with galleries in New York City and various programs with

college students.

“I would choose to do this on a regular basis and am looking

forward to growing with the program and community,” Morris said.

“Their art is on display and for sale and in the process they are

learning about the business end of what it takes to participate in a

gallery.”

She said that it’s quite a learning experience for what it is like

in the real world of a gallery.

“There are a series of lectures with participating galleries,

panel discussions and then coaching on the different aspects involved

with the sale of the artwork,” Morris said. “We get into choosing

what’s appropriate for the gallery.”

Morris said they work on the actual exhibiting process and

hopefully the action of selling.

“I’m also giving her coaching on client follow-through post sale,”

Morris said.

Morris said the first gallery exhibit can be a jolting experience

and can require a great deal of support.

The chance to be mentored has provided Walters, who did

watercolors in Gum Arabic, with plenty of useful information.

“Nancy looked at my artist statements and resume and has given me

advice and has been helpful with pricing,” Walters said. “It has

helped given me a good step into the direction I’m going to be

dealing with and the relationships I need to build.”

After she graduates she wants to have a cooperative gallery with

other artists.

“I’m looking forward to developing more and coming to a point

where I know where I’m going and what I need to get there,” Walters

said. “That collaboration of people has been the best part.”

Laguna College of Art and Design is at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road. To

find out more about the program and participating galleries call

(949) 376-6000 ext. 241 or 233.