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This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start! What better time for artists and arts organizations to sharpen the skills that are critical to successfully navigating the business and communications aspects of their creative endeavors?

Here are seven free workshops for artists and arts organizations, covering gallery representation, cultural intelligence, arts marketing insights, creating content in a digital world and more. Six workshops are virtual, with the final program being in-person at Arlington’s Studio Pause.

The workshops are presented by the Northern Virginia Local Arts Agencies (NVLAA) consortium. Comprised of the arts agencies of Arlington County, the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County, the group is designed to expand resources and opportunities for artists and arts organizations throughout the NOVA area.

Below is an overview of the series of workshops offered through spring 2024. Panelists and additional information for several of the programs is forthcoming. For more details and to register, click here.

Inside Gallery Representation: Paths to Working with Dealers

Jan. 18, 12-1:30 p.m.
Facilitated by: New York Foundation for the Arts

Attaining gallery representation is a goal for many artists. While it’s seen by many as a marker of success and support, it’s often unclear how to get representation. This panel will focus on how to attain gallery representation. You’ll hear directly from artists on their paths toward reaching this milestone and gallerists perspective on what factors they consider when deciding whether to represent an artist. Q&A will follow the program.

Cultural Intelligence for Arts Organizations and Artists with Brighter Strategies

Feb. 8, 12-1:30 p.m.
Facilitated by: Ann Romosz of Brighter Strategies

In an increasingly interconnected and diverse world, navigating and thriving in culturally rich environments has become an essential skill. This workshop will empower the participants with the tools, knowledge and insights needed to develop a heightened awareness of different cultures, enhance cross-cultural communication skills and cultivate a deep sense of cultural sensitivity. Whether you’re interacting with colleagues, clients or partners from around the globe, the principles and practices you’ll discuss here will enable you to foster respectful and effective collaborations while fostering an inclusive and harmonious environment.

Nailing the Application: A Guide to Artist Open Calls

Feb. 22, 12-1:30 p.m.
Facilitated by: New York Foundation for the Arts

Artists are constantly applying for exhibitions and residencies. Many creative opportunities start with an open call. How can you ensure you put your best foot forward when submitting these applications?

Drawing upon the perspective of arts decision-makers who run residencies, jury exhibitions and review project proposals, this panel discussion will cover:

• Where to find open calls for art exhibitions, residencies and more
• How to determine if an opportunity is right for you
• Tips for compiling and presenting your work samples
• What reviewers like to see in the application statement/narrative
• Insights into the behind-the-scenes review process

Promotional Partnerships: Creative Ways to Attract New Audiences
March 7, 12-1:30 p.m.

The marketing leaders of Arlington Cultural Affairs, Arts Fairfax and the Office of the Arts, City of Alexandria will highlight unique promotional partnerships that widen the exposure of an arts activity through shared resources. They’ll guide you through interactive exercises to strengthen your ability to tell your story, identify a prospective partner, and grow your project’s reach.

Marketing Tools of the Trade with Substantial Art and Music

March 21, 12-1:30 p.m.
Facilitated by: Substantial Art & Music

Sub Arts will provide artists and arts organizations with tools in Social Media Marketing and Analytics and Passive Income/Monetization for both visual and performing arts.

Creating Content in a Digital World

April 4, 12-1:30 p.m.
Facilitated by: New York Foundation for the Arts

In today’s digital world, creatives are often expected to create content representing their artistic practice and their art itself. Yet most artists are not professional content producers, or at least didn’t start that way.

This workshop will explore how artists can professionally and creatively develop content to build their audience online. Expert Molaundo Jones, who runs the marketing initiatives for a world-renowned organization for producing creative content, Art21, will lead the presentation as Senior Director of Communications and Partnerships. Jones will discuss strategies for developing social media and YouTube content and provide time for Q&A.

Community Engagement with Studio Pause

May 2, 5-6:30 p.m.
In-person at Studio Pause, 4710 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204
Facilitated by: Sushmita Mazumdar of Studio Pause

Artists and arts organizations get an overview of ways to engage the community they are trying to serve. Instructor Sushmita Mazumdar will share how her artist’s projects and others she has observed or been part of hope to use art to achieve long-term outcomes, try new processes and build relationships.

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This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Fifty-five years of time and weather exposure had taken their toll on Compassion, the 1969 sculpture by Una Hanbury installed at the intersection of Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards at Courthouse Road.

When a re-creation of the artwork by sculptor Colin Poole was installed on Tuesday, December 12, it marked more than an ordinary installation. “Una Hanbury was my grandmother, mentor and hero,” said Poole. “Some of my earliest memories are of her studio… My first monumental bronze was a collaboration with her and now, many decades later, we collaborate once again.”

The surface of the concrete sculpture had eroded to the extent that it was unrecognizable. Seeing the need for restoration, Arlington County, Greystar Real Estate Partners, and the family of Una Hanbury worked together to determine how the sculpture could be saved. Due to the condition of the original sculpture, two independent conservators agreed that it would be perilous to move and attempt to repair the sculpture. As an alternative approach, Una Hanbury’s grandson, Colin Poole, a professional artist who apprenticed under Hanbury, offered to undertake the task of recreating Compassion.

Using his grandmother’s sculpting tools and referencing other sculptures she had crafted during that era, Poole skillfully reproduced the surface textures, and the renewed form was cast in bronze for longevity. Poole digitally scanned the weathered concrete sculpture, milled a replica in foam, and enveloped it in clay. Drawing upon Hanbury’s bronze maquette and photos of the sculpture when it was first installed, Poole was able to recreate the missing details of its likeness.

The 1969 sculpture was not part of the County’s Public Art Collection as it did not originate through a site plan community benefit negotiation or a direct County commission. It was a gift to the County from the Jaycees that long predated the County’s Public Art Program, which will celebrate its 40th Anniversary in 2024. Created to convey a message of compassion for others, may this sculpture’s renewal also strengthen our resolve to spread kindness and empathy in our community, and throughout the world.

About Colin Poole

Colin Poole was born in Washington, D.C. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Connecticut College with a concentration in metal sculpture. He continued his professional education apprenticing with master sculptor Una Hanbury, metal sculptor David Smalley and master printmaker Lou Stovall. Known for his classically-inspired contemporary realism, Poole’s bronze sculptures and oil paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States and Europe and his corporate client list reads as a “who’s who” of Fortune 500 companies.

About Arlington Public Art

Arlington Public Art directly commissions artworks integrated into the County’s capital improvement projects, coordinates artworks commissioned by real estate developers as part of the site plan process and assists community groups to initiate public art projects on public property. We also partner with local arts and community organizations, artists and businesses to present interpretative projects, temporary artworks, exhibitions and more. Arlington Public Art is a program of Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs.