Newsletter 20.08.20 – Fruition

by Aug 28, 2020Newsletter0 comments

Fruition

Whoa, what a crazy 6 months we’ve just lived through!  Unexpected to say the least, shocking, frightening, but also aspects that have been hugely enlightening, inspirational, and heartwarming.

As you know, we moved our workshops and events online and could not have anticipated what a breakthrough would be.  Going digital has meant we have been able to  host more than 500 artists and makers from the UK and abroad during 20 weeks of our free online coffee morning. This has proved to be an important anchor for us, and many others, and they have developed into semi-coaching sessions which are hugely popular and beneficial!

We  launched our Online Gallery back in May and are overjoyed to be showcasing amazing work online which is gaining attention and visibility across multiple platforms. And many more of you have completed our Sowing the Seeds, one to one Mentoring Programme via Zoom calls, and used the restrictions imposed through lock down to really move your creative practice forward..

As the heat of summer begins to fade, we have been celebrating the importance of community, the support, the inspiration , the peer learning; all of which we advocate so strongly within SOL Design Collective.
We are looking forward to the new season, the return of  Art Wave, shows and events such as FARM’s Wake, and  the opportunity to celebrate and support the artists and makers taking part.  Perhaps we will see some of you there !  See below for more details.Being a “fan of a plan”, and as we start to move out of lock down, and this “phase” finishes, we have taken the last few weeks off to reflect, review and revise in preparation for  the forthcoming autumn and Christmas seasons. It feels like a time of firming up the foundations ready for a busy time ahead.  I do hope that you are harvesting some benefits from the slowdown, and are able to use this time to consider where you want your practice to be in the next 3, 6 and 12 months from now. We look forward to the journey!

The SOL Design Collective community continues to grow and go from strength to strength.. It has been a joy and honour to witness the work, the awards, the celebrations and reflections. We have been thrilled to see so many artists’ plans come to fruition. How wonderful to hear from artist Kate Scott, at our final event of the season that she was inspired to name her latest painting ‘Fruition’ as a result of our coffee morning conversations.

We love it – thank you Kate!!

During August our theme was Rest & Relaxation, the SOL team have managed to escape for a few weeks as we all needed to o step back a little, take the foot off the pedal and breathe…..it’s been  important to reflect, recharge, connect with nature and enjoy the last embers of late summer.

We will be returning next week, with a new program scheduled for September.  We continue with a new series of  FREE Coffee Morning Coaching sessions on Wednesdays at 10:30, and bring back our Monday Meetup events designed to provide you with vital information that helps build resilience and growth in your creative practice ready for the busy Christmas period and beyond!

The Autumn programme launches on 7th September with an introduction to the SOL Design Collective Online Gallery. and our Coffee Mornings return on 9th… See below for programme details, in the meantime, some highlights for next week!

How to Showcase Your Work Online,
This FREE monthly event via Zoom highlights the benefits of showcasing your work online,  and details ways to reach a wider audience with a  24/7, 365 day window to the world, helping you to maximise your reach, whilst focusing on  your creative practice.
Monday 7th September @ 10:30 am. – FREE
Book your seat now:

Our Creative’s Coffee Mornings are accessible free coaching sessions designed to provide food for thought and a weekly slice of joy, with around 25 artists, makers, photographers, designers and creatives joining each week. New season starts on Wednesday September 9th.

Please book early to ensure your seat !!

The Importance of Purpose
Wednesday, September 9th 2020

10:30am-11:30am – FREE EVENT

This week we are talking about the importance of purpose. What do we mean by purpose within a creative practice? Why is it so important? How you identify your purpose. How to move forward with purpose.
More details and book tickets >

Our Monday Meetup Workshops are returning, offering low cost in depth look at a specific aspect of running your creative practice. Look out for these on our website.
Making Social Media Work For You and Instagram. These popular sessions are packed with practical tips and guidance and tickets are just £15.

We hope to see you soon.

Jan and the SOL Design Collective Team!

Event: Artwave

Art Wave

We are celebrating!!! Lewes Artwave starts this weekend. It is much anticipated opportunity to visit, enjoy work and meet with artists again.
“We are delighted to be able to bring you an annual celebration of local art and creativity once again.” “Keen to avoid cancelling the event altogether, we took advice and considered a number of options to deliver a safe and successful festival”The format may be  little different but huge congratulations to all of the artists and organisers for getting the event off the ground.
Art Wave, 5th – 20th September 2020

Watch: TED Talk

Anne Pasternak, director of the Brooklyn Museum, makes the case for cultural institutions to take a leading role in supporting the world’s recovery from COVID-19 – and shows how, in times of turmoil and disruption, the arts help us come together, heal and rebuild a better society. (This virtual conversation, hosted by TED arts and design curator Chee Pearlman, was recorded June 17, 2020.)
Watch the TED Talk here >

Creative’s Coffee Morning Meetups on ZOOM

Come and share in the conversation.

Our Creative’s Coffee Mornings are accessible free coaching sessions designed to provide food for thought and a weekly slice of joy, with around 25 artists, makers, photographers, designers and creatives joining each week. New season starts on Wednesday September 9th.

Each week we present a theme to support your creative practice!

Please book early to ensure your seat !!

The Importance of Purpose
Wednesday, September 9th 2020

10:30am-11:30am – FREE EVENT

This week we are talking about the importance of purpose. What do we mean by purpose within a creative practice? Why is it so important? How you identify your purpose. How to move forward with purpose.
More details and book tickets >

Describe Your Work With Dignity
Wednesday, September 16th 2020

10:30am-11:30am – FREE EVENT

This week we are talking about how best to describe your work and your practice! Finding the right words and levels of enthusiasm to describe your work either face to face or online can be tricky. Our conversation this week will help to get that balance right.
More details and book tickets >

Find & Connect With Your Audience
Wednesday, September 23rd 2020

10:30am-11:30am – FREE EVENT

This week we are talking about the importance of finding, communicating and feeling comfortable with those who are interested in your work… whether these are customers now or in the future!
More details and book tickets >

We love hearing how these are helping, so thank you for the fab comments.  If you’ve been thinking of coming along –  its free, and easy to sign up to save your spot. 

“It was great, really informative. Nice to meet everyone! Thank you!” 

“Thanks for a very informative coffee morning! I made tonnes of notes and now heading back to my little studio with lots to think about!”

“Really useful session, thank you!”

Monday MeetUps

Monday Meetups

Monday MeetUp – Making Social Media Work For You
Monday September 14th 2020
7pm to 9pm – £15

This week’s Monday MeetUp provides an opportunity for us to share top tips on how to make social media work effectively when growing your creative practice and selling art and handmade goods.
More details and book tickets >
Monday MeetUp – Let’s Talk About Instagram
Monday September 28th 2020
7pm to 9pm – £15

This Monday MeetUp provides an opportunity to delve deep into INSTAGRAM. This hugely popular social media platform continues to grow in strength and popularity with new features that really capture the attention, it has been sited as a increasingly popular source for those looking to buy art and handmade goods..
More details and book tickets >

FREE Event: How To Showcase Your WORK

Join us!

How To Showcase Your Work via SOL Design Online Gallery (Virtual)
Monday September 7th 2020
10:30am-11:30am – FREE EVENT

This free monthly session is to introduce you to the SOL Design Collective Online Gallery to provide details and benefits for those considering showcasing their work online. Our online gallery provides a directory for artists to celebrate, and showcase their work. Showcase plans for our gallery can be on an annual or monthly payment scheme to suit you and your budget. We actively market the Online Gallery to art buyers, lifestyle stores, bloggers, and galleries.
More details and book tickets >

Join Our Facebook Group

You are warmly welcomed to the SOL Design Collective Artists and Makers Facebook Group. This community of artists, makers and creatives are ready to step forward and take action to build greater resilience in their creative business.

The purpose of this group is to provide a place to ask for help, support or opinion on any subject which will assist you in developing your business. A place to share expertise, experience and advice in a manner which will benefit the greater good of all.
Join us >

Event: Wake

Join FARM: Fine Art Rural Mission & Charlotte Parsons in waking up Glynde Place after the lockdown.

Enjoy two days of site specific contemporary sculpture, sound and performance by artists Isobel Smith, Louis Blee & Susan Bell.

Advance booking is necessary as admittance is being limited Click here for full details to get your free timed ticket.

Follow on Instagram @this_is_wake
Produced by FARM: Fine Art Rural Mission & Charlotte Parsons
Supported by Arts Council England
Design by Studio Lewis
With thanks to Glynde Place & Artwave Festival

Follow us on social media

Keep up to date with all that is happening at SOL Design Collective by following us on social media. Use #soldesigncollective to alert us to your news and we can broadcast it for you.

 

Supporting artists and makers to build a thriving creative practice.