Contemporary jewelry artist Pat Pruitt, right, speaks during a panel discussion about how artists can sell their work while painter and illustrator Beverly Blacksheep looks on during the Business of Art Bootcamp in Calvin Hall Center Auditorium at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Friday, April 19, 2024.

UNM-G Business of Art Bootcamp empowers local artists

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Participants gain inspiration and knowledge from expert-led workshops and panels

By Richard Reyes, Tuesday, May 21, 2024

GALLUP, N.M. — For craftsmen like Luis Aragon and his 8-year-old son Lance, art runs in the family. But the knowledge to run a successful art business can be hard to find in an area where resources are limited.

That’s why Aragon signed up himself and his son to participate in the 2024 Business of Art Bootcamp at The University of New Mexico-Gallup from April 19-20. The Business of Art Bootcamp was a two-day event full of workshops and panel discussions aimed at providing artists with the professional tools and skills they need to kickstart or improve their art business.

He described the bootcamp as informative with a warm and open setting. His favorite part was speaking with jewelry artist Pat Pruitt and hearing his blunt and to-the-point way of speaking about the business side of the art world.

Guest artists inspire bootcamp participants

Pruitt joined musician Delbert Anderson, painter and illustrator Beverly Blacksheep, and jewelry artist Jess Tolbert for a panel discussion about “Avenues on How to Sell Your Work,” moderated by UNM-Gallup lecturer and jewelry artist Kristi Wilson.

The panel was the finale for the bootcamp and left a lasting mark on Aragon and other participants.

“The art thing is something we have in us,” Aragon said. “Whether you have it or you don’t, you could maybe develop it. But it was great hearing him (Pruitt) say you can learn all this other stuff and this is how that starts — by learning it, learning the business and learning to do it in a professional manner.”

Still, Ruth said she felt inspired by the final panel discussion and hopes to revisit the jewelry making class someday.

“It’s inspiring what they’re doing and also how they’re giving back,” Ruth said of the panelists. “They don’t have to be here in Gallup on a Saturday. They’ve all achieved such a great level of success, and for them to still come to Gallup to our little event here was great. We appreciate it so much.”

Bootcamp offers expert-led workshops and panels

The bootcamp also featured Gallup fiber artist Eric-Paul Riege, a UNM graduate who kickstarted his college journey at the Gallup branch campus. Riege talked about his transition from student to professional artist and led participants on a “slow walk” to promote boredom and inspiration.

Kayleigh Begay, another UNM-Gallup graduate who now attends UNM in Albuquerque, facilitated a hands-on workshop about “Photographing & Documenting Your Artwork.”

The Business of Art Bootcamp was made possible thanks to a Creative Industries Grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department.

“This area of New Mexico and the region have such a huge creative community that is under-served and possibly is not aware of the tools or professional help they can get,” event coordinator and UNM-Gallup instructor Dana Aldis said. “That’s where the Bootcamp comes in.”

With the grant funding, UNM-Gallup was able to offer the bootcamp at no cost to participants with lunch provided on both days. UNM-Gallup was also able to give participants who registered early with a $50 gas card to help cover their travel costs.

GallupARTS Executive Director Rose Eason moderates a panel discussion about making a living as an artist featuring, from left, artist Marlo Kiyite, photographer Rapheal Begay and printmaker Duhon James as part of the Business of Art Bootcamp in Calvin Hall Center Auditorium at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Friday, April 19, 2024.