For artisans like Luis Aragon and his 8-year-old son Lance, art runs in the family. But in areas with limited resources, gaining the knowledge to run a successful art business can be difficult.
That’s why Aragon decided to attend the 2024 Art Business Boot Camp, taking place April 19-20 at the University of New Mexico, Gallup. The Art Business Boot Camp is a two-day event packed with workshops and panel discussions aimed at giving artists the specialized tools and skills they need to start or improve their art businesses.
“The main reason I’m doing this is because my son is a third-generation silversmith,” Aragon said, “so all the skills, the craft, the tools, the mentality, the spirituality that’s been passed down to him is all there. The business side of it – the things that can help him navigate his career more smoothly – is what we’ve come to learn.”
Aragon said the event energized her son to gain experience networking with people face-to-face and being in a college environment, and also helped build a foundation of confidence for him if he decides to attend college in the future.
Aragon said the bootcamp was informative with a warm, open atmosphere. His favorite thing is to talk to Pat Pruitt, a jewelry artist, and hear him talk candidly about the business side of the art world.
Guest artists inspire bootcamp participants
Pruitt, along with musician Delbert Anderson, painter and illustrator Beverly Blacksheep and jewelry artist Jess Tolbert, participated in a panel discussion on “How to Sell Your Art,” moderated by New Mexico State University, Gallup lecturer and jewelry artist Kristy Wilson.
The panel marked the finale of the boot camp and left a lasting impression on Aragon and the other participants.
“Art is something that is within us,” Aragon said. “Whether you have it or not, you can probably develop it. But as Mr. Pruitt said, you can learn all these other things, and that starts with learning it, doing business.” It was great to hear him talk about learning and learning to do it in a professional way.”
Alicia Vidal, a student at the University of New Mexico at Gallup, and her mother, Ruth Vidal, from Gallup, also attended the boot camp. Alicia is currently pursuing an associate’s degree in general education, but she is also considering studying art.
“I thought it was amazing,” Alicia said of the boot camp. “It was very informative and I got a lot of input from the artists, which was really helpful. It was inspiring.”
Although Ruth Vidal is not an artist herself, she said she took a jewelry making class at the University of New Mexico Gallup in 2020. But that fateful March was interrupted when the campus was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Still, Ruth said she felt inspired by the final panel discussion and would like to revisit the jewelry-making class someday.
“I’m inspired by what they’re doing and how they’re contributing,” Ruth said of the panelists. “They don’t have to be here in Gallup on Saturday. They’ve all been very successful and it was great to have them still come to Gallup for our little event here. Very I am grateful.”
Bootcamp offers expert-led workshops and panel discussions
The boot camp also featured Gallup fiber artist Eric Paul Lige, a UNM graduate who began his collegiate career at the Gallup branch campus. Lige spoke about his transition from student to professional artist and led participants on a “slow walk” to ease boredom and promote inspiration.
Kayleigh Begay, another UNM-Gallup alumna who currently attends UNM in Albuquerque, facilitated a hands-on workshop on “Photographing and Documenting Artwork.”
Zuni artist Marlo Kiite, printmaker Duhon James and photographer Rafael Begay participated in a panel discussion on “How to Make a Living as an Artist” (aka “The Gallup Hustle”) moderated by gallupARTS Executive Director Rose Eason.
Santa Fe jewelry artist Brian Fleetwood hosted a workshop on “How to Write an Artist Statement and Resume.”
Representatives from WESST, a small business support organization, also facilitated a workshop on “Getting Started with an Art Business Checklist.”
The Art Business Boot Camp is made possible thanks to a Creative Industries Grant from the New Mexico Department of Economic Development.
“There is a huge creative community in this part of New Mexico and this region that is underserved and probably doesn’t know the tools and professional help available to them,” said event coordinator and UNM said Gallup instructor Dana Aldis. “That’s where boot camp comes in.”
Thanks to the grant, UNM-Gallup was able to offer the boot camp for free to participants and also provide lunch on both days. UNM-Gallup was also able to offer $50 gas cards to participants who registered early to help offset travel costs.
