Over the past few years in Florida the idea of moving back to Virginia came up a few times. Each time I have said, among other things, “I have spent x number of years building up my art show business and that does not transfer well”. But when faced with imminent financial disaster due to my husband getting laid off I had to consider it. Then faced with the carrot of being close to my daughter and her family, and acreage in one of my favorite parts of the state, well here I am. And I am happy here. My office window looks out on woods. I can barely see the road out front where maybe 20 cars a day pass. It is quiet and a couple days ago there were deer just 10 feet away from our back deck.But now comes the problem that has kept me away for so long. How to transfer my art show success to Virginia? I’m in a good spot. Thirty miles to the east is Richmond and from what I have heard there is a good art community there. I am going to see about renting a wall or a space at one of the galleries there. Thirty miles to the west is Charlottesville and I’ve heard there is good art support there as well. Louisa actually has an arts center which appears to be fairly active. For as far out in the country as I feel I’m only five miles or so from the town of Louisa (two gas stations, one grocery store, one Ford dealer, some restaurants, a beauty salon, and the arts center. I’ve been accepted into two shows in the area.What’s next? Visit the galleries I’ve been researching. Check out the Louisa Arts Center. Put aside the unpacking for a weekend and go out and get some Virginia photographs. Apply to shows for the fall. Order some frames and prepare for my first Richmond show the end of April. Do what I’ve always done – research, plan, prepare, and do. Wish me luck.And best of all, get together with some of the friends I’ve met on AFI who live near me. Thanks Connie for this site. Without it, I would not have known I had other artists so close to me.
Leo, have you ever done the Occasion For the Arts in Williamsburg? I was about to apply when I noticed that the show closes at 5 and the street is reopened at 6 - Yikes. My best time for breakdown with my husband helping was 40 minutes and that is because the van was already parked behind the booth. Are they serious?
Hey Alison, good luck in Virginia. My wife has an uncle who lives in Louisa, and yes, it certainly is a beautiful area. With the mountains practically in your back yard, you should have a wealth of images waiting to be made.
Comments
Hi Alison, I bounce around a lot, but I'm out of Williamsburg and I've done many VA shows. Give a holler if you need info. Cheers!
Oh dear, is that a requirement? I guess Holly will have to teach me about that one.
Good luck to you, Alison. Talent transfers, you will find your niche there.
Will you start sparring with Munks now that you live in Virginia?