YAC Offers Networking Event, Artist Retreat Tuesday

Artists in the North Mississippi region can participate in an artist retreat at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center in Oxford Feb. 10 for a one-of-kind workshop promoting small businesses in Mississippi’s creative economy as part of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council’s Artist Incubator Series.

Artists will learn and practice presentation techniques to develop networking skills and open doors for exhibitions at galleries and museums. Curators of the University of Mississippi University Museum, Southside Gallery and Bozarts Gallery in Water Valley will be offering emerging artists tips on professional practices. Additionally, representatives from local arts associations and guilds will talk about the benefits of membership.

“We’re offering workshops that impart small business knowledge and spark innovation and professional growth,” arts council director Wayne Andrews said. “Oxford is a great community for artists, whether visual, musical, or culinary, so these workshops have grown out of real conversations with artists as they establish their own businesses. We want them to succeed as both artists and small business owners.”

The Artists Incubator Workshop Series is part of the arts council’s programming to promote small businesses and includes the art vending machine found in Cups on West Jackson Avenue, Oxford Maker’s Market, and the Gallery Series featured monthly on the fourth Tuesday at the Art Crawl.

“The creative economy makes up 16% of Mississippi’s economy. These workshops provide professional development and entrepreneurial support to help entire households earn a livable wage,” explained Meghan Gallagher, AmeriCorps VISTA to the arts council. “We’re simply connecting people with resources and experts that they need and may not realize exist.”

Artists and art supporters can register for this free workshop online or by calling (662) 236-6429.