I’ve been on an artist retreat for the past three days with an amazing organization called Creative Capital, a nonprofit which funds different types of artists from around the world, and, I have to say, I’ve met the most amazing people and have seen some amazing stuff that’s being produced.
I’m rather honored to have been brought in as a consultant. I was a bit unsure as to why I’d been invited, but I’m doing consultations with some of the artists right now, and it seems that I’m not the only one who looks at art as a way to educate people about social causes. There are also people out there who are working on art installations and projects that deal with food, green space, and all things sustainable.
One artist in particular is Matthew Moore - he’s a farmer, both organic and conventional, from Phoenix, Arizona, and is an artist. And his art revolves around farming. I just spoke with him about a project he’s putting together where he’s going to film food growing and show it along with audio tracks. (That’s a very simplified version of what he’s planning to do.) He’s been funded by Creative Capital – and I’m so excited by what he’s planning to do that I’m planning to plug his work and follow it as he develops the project.
Every artist here – some past grantees but most current grantees – gave a presentation on their work, so we spent two days watching everyone talk about their passion and what they’re doing. And I have to say, I am so inspired right now. Even though I’m here because of my marketing background at Sustainable Table, I’m so psyched now to get my book published and to start writing the next one.
It became obvious to me that I have to make time to be around creativity more – and not just going to a museum but also to be around other artists. Oh, I met a curator from MoMA here (Museum of Modern Art), and I told him about my Jackson Pollock love and how I like to go up on Sunday afternoons and sit in front of Pollock’s painting – he said I should pitch a story to the New Yorker about Sundays with Pollock. We’ll see. I definitely haven’t been there enough to write something now, but we’ll see.
I have a couple consultations next, then we have a final barbecue tonight, and then it’s back to NYC. This has been an intense weekend – the hours were insane – but worth every second. I can only hope I get invited back again next time they have a retreat – and I hope I can stay in touch with a bunch of people from here!
