Keeping Art Affordable at SheilaLynnK Art Studio

STARTING DECEMBER 15, 2014

Studio fans and followers can now earn B-Arter Bucks to use toward the purchase of in-stock studio items and commissioned projects. 

Several times a month, activities will be posted here and on the Studio Facebook Page telling how you can earn them. 
Sample Opportunities for Earning B-Arter Bucks
You may be asked to do some of these things (and others as I think of them) to earn your B-Arter Bucks.

• Comment, share or in some way participate in a studio conversation or question here on the blog or on facebook.
• Spread the word about a studio event or activity and post a link or photo of real-time action in the comments to show how you passed it on.
• Deliver items to the studio that will be re-purposed for an art activity
• Contribute in-kind services to a not-for-profit or community action activity (which may or may NOT be hosted by the studio)...and show us in a link or a photo how you participated in your community.
• Bring the arts (any kind) to somebody in your community and share it with us   
• Exchange something from the studio Barter For Art list for B-Arter Bucks 

The B-Arter Bucks value of these activities will fluctuate with the effort involved in making that happen. 

There will be an assortment of earning opportunities that apply to both Local and On-line studio patrons. Due to the logistical benefits of geographic proximity, these benefits may NOT always match. 

Each earning event will result in receipt of a B-Arter Bucks ID# upon completion of the task. Be sure to save this number as it will be the only way to document your eligibility. 

You do NOT have to be a Facebook subscriber to receive these options. Following this blog will give you the same opportunities. However, you may miss instructions, opportunities, and B-Arter Bucks ID#s if you are NOT subscribed to the blog. B-Arter Bucks ID#s will often be delivered via email. 

The Barter For Art Program

This exchange program began at the studio in February 2014.  

This program supports an independent economy at SheilaLynnK Art Studio.

 I recently read an article about artist, Jocelyn Meggait, who set up a FREE art store/gallery and like her I am, " interested in the goods as much as the notion that communities of people could come together and circumvent conventional modes of commodity exchange....That means that instead of creating objects, she creates experiences — specifically, ones intended to prompt discussions on alternatives to capitalism."  

~ Artist Creates Free Store, Art Gallery, and Studio in Oakland 

I too, am in the business of creating experiences. Although I welcome the discussions about alternatives to capitalism, I also hope to create empowering, meaningful, and creative, experiences for all of my patrons. This intention is not exclusive to the Arachnoiditis Survivors Participating in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project.   My hope is to keep art affordable and accessible for anyone who would benefit from it.

I also realize that there are occassions when it is extremely difficult to escape the idea that Money Makes the World Go 'Round. To that end, there is ALSO a reasonably priced list of pre-printed and commissioned projects available from the PriceLists/OrderForms tab on the Studio Home Page. 

As you may know from my previous post and Facebook Page, I spent yesterday at the 5th annual SnowFlake Festival at the Fountain Arts Center in Belmont, NY. I did sell enough items to cover the cost of the table but, more importantly, I had a wonderful and rare-during-the-winter-months opportunity to meet other local artists, local patrons of the arts, and community members. I was reminded of the real reasons that I create art and festively distracted from the Bottom Line. 

I was respectfully provided with Reasonable Accommodations, in the form of a cushy purple-upholstered bench at my table, for Arachnoiditis during this lovely holiday event. It felt a little strange to lay down in public but, as the years go by; I am getting increasingly accustomed to not pay attention to that conditioning. 

The Allegany Arts Association continues to work to provide quality art experiences for patrons of the Arts, Artists, Artisans, and our community. 

Many thanks to them for all that they do. 

Wishing you all a happy holiday season and very Merry, Low-Marketing Christmas.