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Unveiled: Kesha Bruce – “6×6”

Unveiled: Kesha Bruce – “6×6”

As an artist and entrepreneur, I am always looking at unique and successful strategies to promote my art. (Yes, we artists, need to work and promote our art, just like anyone else, trying to financially support themselves in this world, imagine that).

So imagine my delight when I met amazing artist, coach and consultant, Kesha Bruce. Kesha. She is one of those individuals who’s enthusiasm and no-nonsense approach to promoting one’s art is contagious. Kesha’s consultation on my self promotion has been rewarding and successful!

I wanted to give my blog readers, some new ideas and concepts on how artists  promote their art, especially around the concept of galleries. I got a chance to pin this busy woman down, for a little Q&A and what’s happening new in her world.

Me: I find that there is a comfort factor for people, if they have some background info, so what’s yours?

Kesha: I was born and raised in Iowa. I left the mid-west to seek my fortune in the big city of New York, after studying art at the University of Iowa. I finished my MFA in Painting at Hunter College in 2001 and I’ve been working ever since.  It hasn’t been an easy road, to say the least.  I had to figure a lot of things out by trial and error.  That’s part of the reason I decided to become a consultant for other artists.

Me: How did you come up with the concept for your gallery Baang and Burne Contemporary?


Kesha: To be honest, Baang and Burne was born completely by accident.  A couple years ago, I was in New York for work and my friend and artist Charlie Grosso and I started having one of our long conversations about art, careers, and selling and just general things about the business of art.   By the end of the evening we had decided that instead of talking and wishing that things would change, that we should actually do something to contribute to changing the way art is bought and sold.  We produced our first event six weeks later.

Me: What’s 6×6 all about and why do artists need it?

Kesha: Basically 6×6 is the answer to the question:  What if there were no more art galleries?  The answer, of course, is that if there were no more art galleries, artists would have to take complete control over their careers by creating their own opportunities and ways to market and sell their work. All of the programming events that will take place during 6×6 are about exactly that.

Plus, for artists that aren’t able to actually come to the events we’re going to take the video footage, workshop notes, and podcast recordings and package it all up into an affordable, easily downloadable, step-by-step DIY guide to how independent artists can take all of the tools we used to produce and plan 6×6 and re-create their own exhibitions, festivals, or creative events in their own communities—no matter where they may be located.

Me: What are the nuts and bolts of this concept?  How would you recommend a group of artists start this process?

Kesha: Well I would simply start by getting together with other artists and figuring out one common goal. The goal could be to stage an exhibition. It could be to organize a fundraiser, or even to plan a series of workshops in their community.  The key idea is to work together to share not only responsibilities and tasks but ideas. Ideas are powerful!  Artists can work together to create something that not only benefits the artists involved, but that contributes to the greater artists community. I say this all the time, because it’s true: When a small army of creative people get together–magic happens.

To read Kesha’s weekly articles on art, art marketing, and creativity and to download a free copy of her guide “The 5 Step Art Career Make-Over” visit www.KeshaBrucestudio.com.

If You Want Something Done Right, Do It Yourself: Click Here.

Web: http://www.KeshaBruce.com
Blog: http://www.KeshaBrucestudio.com

Gallery: http://BaangandBurne.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KeshaBruce

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KeshaBruce

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Thanks for your comments, Vicki. Kesha is that type of person, but she's an incredible listener, as well and there are not many people who do both well!

  2. Yes, me too. I see that attitude everywhere on the Internet and down town. Artist aren't big babies…they are creators.. and find new ways and platforms to express and promote themselves. Great job, Indigene and Kesha. Bravo.
    Paula

    • You're so right, Paula, we need to be just as creative at promoting ourselves and work as we are at our craft! Thanks for your comments.

    • Thanks, Linda, we just need to keep getting together and making it consistent, then folks can really see how unique each of us are, and how everyone has something to offer! ::)

  4. Yes, I agree with Vicki, Paula and Linda, thank you, thank you for sharing this interview! I so love seeing how others get out there, how they make it happen. I can use all the inspiration there is, so thank you!

    • Thanks Penelope, you're right, we do need all the inspiration we can get! 🙂 I'm hoping that other artists get together and make things like this happen for themselves. There's something to be said about a collective voice!

  5. Love it! Love it! Love it! What a great read. When we decide to go for it and do it all kinds of wonderful things can happen. This is something so special and needed. Thanks for sharing that Q&A cause it's got me thinking about what I can do. How awesome. Thanks Beautiful Lady for sharing this gold!

    • It's amazing, the great ideas out there to promote one's art, sometimes, you just need another mind to help you bring forth those ideas and put them into action! Thanks for stopping by!

  6. This is really interesting, Indigene. I've been despairing of the traditional gallery world too, so much that I've all but withdrawn from it. That kind of hierarchy exists in academia as well, so it is hard to escape it. This kind of attitude gives me a little hope. Thanks!

  8. How did I miss this? I have just recently come across the inspirational Kesha Bruce and just spent a long time at the Baang and Burne website thanks to your interview with her. I really like her message of self-empowerment. And I have been thinking along these lines lately, too, and wondering how to take better control of my career. Thanks, Indigene. You are an art find, too! 🙂 <3

    • Thanks, Andrea! I"m happy that other artists are sharing their ideas, every artist has the potential for greatness, we just all need to work together. You're such an inspiration, too!

  9. Indigene- Thanks for having me on your blog. I'm glad to jump in and see so much lively discussion! So many possibilities. It really is all about working together to craft ideas and new ways to promote our work.