slideshow

It’s no secret that great artists must have a clear creative vision combined with a strong ability to express themselves through their work.

But to become a successful artist it certainly helps to have a little business savvy as well.

The Apex Arts Council is hosting “The Business of Art” on Friday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express just off Hwy. 55. Cost is $75 and includes lunch.

Five different instructors will present information on marketing, copyright laws, taxes and various other business-related topics.

“I’ve wanted to do something like this for awhile,” said AAC President Bob Crowley. “We used to have guest speakers at our meetings and usually we would get about six or seven people to show up. But I have a friend, Jose Cortina, who is a corporate lawyer and I asked him to speak to the group about trademarks and copyrights. Suddenly, 50 people showed up. That is something I’ve kept in the back of my mind.”

Earlier this year, Crowley reached out to Cortina and some other friends about holding a day-long art business seminar.

The idea, said Crowley, is to make artists understand that they can make some money from all their hard work.

“We don’t believe in starving artists,” said Crowley. “What we are trying to do is show our artists how to be successful. We will teach them how to market themselves and give them some important information on taxes and copyrights. We aren’t teaching art; we are teaching business.”

Instructors will include Drew Becker, president of the local marketing firm Convey Media; Chuck Russitano, a CPA and expert in taxation; Ginny Silhanek, a certified paralegal and mediator; Cortina, executive vice president of BioSignia; and Crowley, a business management professional.

To reserve a space for the event send an email to info@apexartscouncil.org. You can mail your check to Apex Arts Council Inc., PO Box 1381, Apex, NC 27502.

For more information visit www.apexartscouncil.org