Session One: Business Fundamentals for Artists

Description:

This 60-minute presentation is designed to demystify the business planning process for artists. Many creatives shy away from business planning, feeling it doesn’t align with their vision or values, but a well-structured plan is the foundation for a sustainable creative career. This session will guide artists through understanding and structuring essential components of a business plan tailored to their unique goals, values, and artistic style.

Session Two: Marketing Essentials For Artists

Description:

Marketing doesn’t have to feel like a chore. In this 60-minute session, artists will learn essential strategies to market their work effectively and authentically. This presentation will cover marketing strategy basics, audience targeting, and choosing platforms. Artists will also learn how to craft a personal brand that reflects their unique voice and message.

Session Three: Selling Art with Confidence

Description:

For artists, sales can feel intimidating, but learning how to sell confidently is vital for career sustainability. This session will provide actionable strategies for selling art, setting prices, and developing relationships with potential buyers. The focus will be on shifting the mindset around sales, making it a natural and empowering part of the creative process.

Session Four: Ask me Anything- Creative Business Q&A & Support

Description: As you wrap up the program, this session is your opportunity to get personalized support for wherever you are in your creative business journey. From refining your business idea to tackling mindset hurdles, marketing questions, or sales strategies, bring your challenges and curiosities. This interactive session is designed to meet you right where you are and provide clarity, encouragement, and next steps.

We will also have demonstrations and displays available demonstrating how to package your art for a clean and professional look. 

Description:

Marketing doesn’t have to feel like a chore. In this 60-minute session, artists will learn essential strategies to market their work effectively and authentically. This presentation will cover marketing strategy basics, audience targeting, and choosing platforms. Artists will also learn how to craft a personal brand that reflects their unique voice and message.

Agenda Highlights:

- Introduction to marketing for artists and its role in business growth.

- Redefining marketing as storytelling and audience connection.

- Exploring key marketing channels (social media, websites, email lists, and networking).

- Personal branding strategies for artists.

- Q&A session and Business Basics Course overview.

Takeaways:

Attendees will learn how to approach marketing authentically, using strategies that showcase their work while maintaining their artistic integrity.

Description:

For artists, sales can feel intimidating, but learning how to sell confidently is vital for career sustainability. This session will provide actionable strategies for selling art, setting prices, and developing relationships with potential buyers. The focus will be on shifting the mindset around sales, making it a natural and empowering part of the creative process.

Agenda Highlights:

- Shifting the perception of sales from “selling out” to “sharing your vision.”

- Developing a sales plan, including pricing and sales channels.

- Tips for engaging buyers and closing sales.

- Q&A session and Business Basics Course overview.

Takeaways:

Participants will leave with an understanding of how to approach sales confidently and sustainably, recognizing it as a skill that supports long-term artistic success.

DATES/TIMES: Saturday, January 17th, 2026 | 10:00am-4:00pm

Snow date: Saturday, January 24th, 2026 | 10:00am-4:00pm

AGES: 18+ (unless accompanied by a participating adult) 

Workshop Description:   

After introductions, and a look at various winter inspired examples,  students will be introduced to or review  a substantial # of watercolor techniques  through instructor  demonstration. They will attempt and practice each of the techniques on small papers. Comparing these to their selected photos, they may want to note where techniques will be used in a sketch of their painting and number the order in which they will be applied. The instructor will assist each studentsin this process. Paint!  During several breaks the instructor will address problems  found in common as the composition progresses. Towards the end, students will display their work and discuss the techniques, problems executing them, successful areas and photo graph the works. 

Instructor bio (1 paragraph): 

Barb Steele majored in painting at The Maryland Institute College of Art and taught art in high school for 15 years. She left teaching to found Alloway Creek Gardens where she continued teaching many workshops on plants, companion planting,  dyes and tinctures from plants, and painting plants. She continues to publish articles about plants and is active in teaching in courses like Plants Speak! In it s third year during Week 1  of Common Ground on the Hill June 23-28, 4-5:30 each afternoon.  Students are encouraged to consider registering for that classcommongroundonthehill.org! Barb is teaching acrylic or watercolor  water based painting techniques in “Plants and Their Polinators” Week 3 July 14-18 in the mornings. 

Materials Student Should Bring from home  

Please bring a bag lunch and beverage in a cooler. 

A work apron, cup for water and any watercolor supplies  you already have, including tube paints, brushes, plastic palette or   a ceramic plate to use as a watercolor palette. Pencil, sketchbook.  Bring photos of your favorite winter scenes preferably with snow and sky! 

Description:

For artists, sales can feel intimidating, but learning how to sell confidently is vital for career sustainability. This session will provide actionable strategies for selling art, setting prices, and developing relationships with potential buyers. The focus will be on shifting the mindset around sales, making it a natural and empowering part of the creative process.

Agenda Highlights:

- Shifting the perception of sales from “selling out” to “sharing your vision.”

- Developing a sales plan, including pricing and sales channels.

- Tips for engaging buyers and closing sales.

- Q&A session and Business Basics Course overview.

Takeaways:

Participants will leave with an understanding of how to approach sales confidently and sustainably, recognizing it as a skill that supports long-term artistic success.

Our Pre-K Make It, Take It class is a hands-on, creative learning experience designed for curious little minds! Each session invites preschoolers to explore art, crafts, and simple projects they can proudly take home. Activities are tailored to strengthen fine motor skills, spark imagination, and reinforce early learning concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and letters.

Children will:

Create fun, age-appropriate crafts using safe, easy-to-handle materials.

Learn through themed projects that connect to stories, seasons, or special events.

For Ages: 6 - 9

Description: Make it and Take it is a hands-on experience for kids to explore crafts that they can take home right away!

Teacher Bio: Teresa Greenberg has been a Visual Arts instructor for 42 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Towson University and a Master’s degree from Loyola College. Her employment experience includes 21 years in Baltimore County Public Schools, 21 years in Carroll County Public Schools, and summers teaching at The Park School Arts Camps. She has worked with at-risk youth, veteran’s groups and professional child care workers. Currently teaching at Spring Garden Elementary in Hampstead, she enjoys the opportunity to guide children as they connect their “inner and outer worlds” to visual Art expression, while collaborating across content areas to provide a rich and seamless learning experience for elementary students.

Members receive 10% off with promo code MEMBER

Open Studio classes give us the opportunity to render things in their true character, unlimited by mediums and the public gaze, all in the atmosphere and presence of other creatives.  Sign up for all 6 sessions here! 

An artist will over see the class to assist students as needed.  Our supplies are available to all participants and students are welcome to bring their own or a project they are working on as well.