Showing Artwork, Making Connections

 Recently I had the honor to participate in Lawrence's Final Friday.  What's that you ask?  Well it is similar to Topeka's First Friday where galleries and other venues are open later on either a First or Final Friday of the month to showcase artists and their work.  The Sunflower Outdoor & Bike shop was kind enough to not only host me, but my daughter as well, so we were able to have a Father Daughter Art show!

As an Art teacher I try to find as many opportunities as I can for my students to show their artwork, and this often requires me to step out of my comfort zone.  But it is something I think is important for my students to see for various reasons.  Not only do they see their Photo teacher get nervous before a show, but they can also see how I navigate that nervousness, how I have the conversations with individuals to get the opportunities we have, and how I present not only my artwork, but myself as well. 

Overall the show was a success, even though that evening it was in the middle of the heat wave!  My daughter sold almost all of her artwork consisting of stained glass and paintings, gaining a positive experience as an artist and for her first showing.  I myself sold some photos, adding to my positive experience too, and both of us received lots of positive feedback, which is always important for an artist.

Most importantly though, my students saw me put myself out there, they saw me take a chance on myself, and that chance went well.