[NOTE: LIKE SO MANY OTHER THINGS, THESE PLANS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED. WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FLYING TO PORTLAND, OR APRIL 23. LOOKING FORWARD TO IT BEING RESCHEDULED;]

There are times — as an artist — of rejection. And, then, some times are seasons of yes!!

The tide has been shifting… as my work has improved and I’m more strategic in what I’m applying for.

I’ve recently received my 4th Regional Artist Project Grant (over 20 years;) from the Arts & Science Council.

This RAPG is helping to fund my April 2020 trip to Bullseye Glass in Portland, Oregon for a “Business of Glass” class with Richard Parrish!!

This trip is significant for three big reasons.

1) Although I’m already business-minded, glass is very expensive and in some ways much different from painting. Richard Parrish is talented and successful with the work he creates, commissions and his teaching.

It’s going to be amazing to learn much more about the business side of GLASS from him!

2) I’ve used Bullseye Glass, exclusively, since the beginning. It’s gorgeous, and made for architectural and public art applications! The Portland location is where they MAKE the glass. (Not to mention such a cool place to visit… since I’ve never been;)

3) This location is also where they have the “fabrication” arm of Bullseye Glass called Bullseye Studio. Here, they actually fabricate artists’, architects’, and other designers’ large scale ideas — preparing it for professional installation.

IF you’ve followed me, you know I’m interested and motivated by scaling my glass ideas for commissions and public art applications. I’ll be taking some of my glass water round prototypes to Portland for them to fabricate a version there — for future projects.

This opportunity is something I couldn’t afford. (RAPG is covering class and travel.)

It’s funded by the Arts & Science Council (Charlotte-Mecklenburg), the NC Arts Council, as well as any person or business who financially invests in ASC!

PLEASE NOTE: Currently, our community is working on securing more funding for ASC so they do not have to cut their programming. (They have been cutting back in-house, as well as providing programming that is WANTED by folks living here.)

As someone who has benefitted (invested in) and seen a lot of the long-term outcomes of ASC’s funding, I can attest that it is important and does help our overall community (not just artists/creatives;).

IF you follow ASC’s financial support of individual creatives or organizations, often you will see a growth trajectory and can see the direct impact that creative/organization has right here in this area.

(Also know that these supplemental funds are just that. I have invested a great deal of money in my own art practice. Receiving these grants enables me to do something I simply could not afford at this time.)

Want to know more? Check out this link.

Economic Impact of the Arts? Yes. See More Here.

ASC 2020 RAPG for Bullseye Glass in Portland, OR [Postponed/Covid-19] (2.3.20)