Art Blog: Original oil paintings

GCAC to Host Artist Roundtable discussions in November 2007

"GCAC to Host Roundtable discussions"

GCAC issued a Press Release on 10/18/07 to invite local artists to ...participate in a series of discussions about their needs for success, and how GCAC can better play a role in helping them reach their goals...

http://www.gcac.org/press/news.php?id=98

The Press Release states that all sessions are open to any individual artist, regardless of medium. If you want to attend one of the Artist Roundtables, RSVP to Alicia Oddi, GCAC Grants and Services Director. Her email address is included in the Press Release so I won't post it here.

Additional information contained in the release:

...The following is a list of dates, times and locations for each session:

- 5-7 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 7 at the Columbus Music Hall, 734 Oak St.
- 7-9 p.m. on Thurs., Nov. 8 at Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Ave.
- 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 12 at the Columbus Dance Theatre, 592 E. Main St.
- 4-6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 18 at the Panera Bread meeting room in Clintonville, 4519 N. High St.

GCAC's Artist Roundtables are part of a larger effort to provide more professional development and networking opportunities for the area's individual artists...

Posted by: Robin

2007 Greater Columbus Arts Council Public Forum

"Arts & Culture in Columbus: Moving Forward"

I attended the 2007 GCAC Public Forum that was held at the Columbus State Community College in the Center for Workforce Development. The event took place on 10/12/07, and was one of several sessions included in the GCAC "Arts & Culture in Columbus: Moving Forward" two day community event.

From the GCAC 9/13/07 news release

...On Thurs., Oct. 11 and Fri., Oct. 12, the GCAC will host a community discussion about how the arts can help with collaborative approaches to building the city as it moves toward its 2012 bicentennial and beyond...arts and business leaders, together with  GCAC staff and board members, will utilize current research about the central Ohio arts industry to look at where industry is now, where it's going and how the arts can contribute to community problem solving...This year's Public Forum will highlight how the arts fit into the city's 2012 initiative...

Mayor Coleman, Columbus City Council Member Kevin Boyce, and GCAC President Bryan Knicely spoke about the challenges we face as well as the city's plans to include the arts in its 2012 initiative. Visit the GCAC web site for more specific information about their progress to date, and future plans.

I was particularly interested in attending this event because of the focus on how to transform research into action. We have a wealth of information from studies and similar forums on how to increase support of the arts, and it is good to see that we are moving forward and making progress.

The Public Forum also provided me with the opportunity to hear first hand from leaders of a number of our local arts organizations about the challenges they face, and about upcoming programs they have in the works.

Ron and I are most successful at sharing his artwork when we are out in the community attending these types of events. At this particular event I was seated at a table with several of the people who interviewed and filmed the WOSU Artzine segment on Ron's "Cargo: The Middle Passage" interactive exhibit that is on display at The King Arts Complex. It was very nice to have the opportunity to thank them in person for including Ron in the WOSU series of videos.

I am looking forward to participating in future GCAC programs !

Posted by: Robin

Ohio Statehouse Virtual Tour : George Washington Williams Room

Ohio Statehouse web site

One of Ron's public art commissions involved creating two oil paintings of George Washington Williams. The artwork is on display in the George Washington Williams Memorial Room at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio.

George Washington Williams was the first African American elected to the Ohio House of representatives in 1880. Visit  George Washington Williams for more information about his life and inspiring story.

The Ohio Statehouse web site offers "Virtual Tours" and Photo galleries that include Ron's paintings. Select the Multimedia link after you access their site, and you can click on the link for the "Tour" of the George Washington Williams Memorial Room.

You can use the zoom feature to get a good look at Ron's paintings. To explore a room, click and hold your mouse, then drag it in the desired direction to pan around the room. One of the two paintings is also included in the Photo Gallery.

The Ohio Statehouse web site is a wonderful resource, is designed well, and is user friendly. Stop by to take a look when you have a minute.

Here is a list of the organizations and individuals who generously sponsored the George Washington Williams Memorial Room.

Posted by: Robin

Social Networking

The process of sharing Ron's artwork with the community is an ongoing journey. We are always updating and changing our methods after we evaluate what does and does not work.

No matter what we do, I feel there is always so much more we can attempt. I am always pleased to hear of the many people who are already familiar with Ron's work, and are fans. Lately we have been setting aside time to reach even more people by utilizing a number of the online Social Networking sites.

I am willing to give these sites a shot, and see where they take us. So far, I have had great results in making contacts with both artists and art lovers who have contacted me through our web site or by email with interest in Ron's paintings. The ultimate goal is not to simply make a sale, but to increase our network of advocates, and to learn more about the business of marketing Ron's artwork.

Here are the sites that we have set up to date to promote Ron's work, and to meet other professionals in the arts business:

Web site: http://www.ronandersonstudio.com

YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/rastudio1

Typepad/Robin: http://www.originaloilpaintings.typepad.com

Blogger/Ron: http://www.ronandersonstudio.blogspot.com

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ronandersonstudio

Zoom Info/Ron: http://www.zoominfo.com/search/PersonDetail.aspx?PersonID=1036002
Zoom Info/Robin: http://www.zoominfo.com/search/PersonDetail.aspx?PersonID=13623199

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=814111977

LinkedIn/Robin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rastudio

Feel free to add your visual art related comments on our sites, and send us a friends request where appropriate.

Posted by: Robin