Creative Genius Art Festival...

Yes, you read that title correctly and it isn't a typo. 
Creative Genius will be hosting an Art Festival around the outside of our building on Sunday, September 30th, 2012 from 10am-4pm. And we couldn't be more excited about it!

The best part is that it is the same day as the weekly Farmer's Market at Kirby Bros right down the street from us. Come out for the Farmer's Market, visit the Art Festival and hopefully by September 30th there will be other great events scheduled in other Medford Village businesses. Wouldn't that be cool?

We are not sure how this event will evolve but we are hoping for some great live music of the singer-songwriter variety, some interesting art and fine craft for sale in our back parking lot/side of our building and front of our building, some refreshments and goodies, plus lots of fun!

We'll be sure to update our list of participants each time we confirm an application.
 
For festival applications or information, call 609-714-1131 or visit http://tinyurl.com/cgaf2012 

You can also find this event on facebook at: Creative Genius Art Festival 

Find Creative Genius on facebook at:  Creative Genius on Facebook

Find Creative Genius on Twitter at: @CreativeGeniusG
 

One of the many fun parts of my job...

One of the best parts of my job is the process of finding cool new things that my clients get as excited about as I do. There is a plethora of hand-crafted work out there but not all of it is at a high standard and in many cases, the lack of a professional product is a hindrance. I mean, it is always great to create something and sell it but hand-crafted work still needs to meet a standard and should not look unprofessional, cheap or like it is going to fall apart as soon as it arrives home with you. Sadly, that is often the case and I always feel badly for those artists because sometimes they aren't even told how to improve their work to make it present better. I am never insulting towards someone's creation but I very often will give advice, when solicited, for how to improve an item's presentation or saleable. I certainly don't consider myself an expert but I HAVE been doing what I do for almost eight years so I might have something of value to add, if someone is open to the feedback.

For me, in finding new items for Creative Genius to represent, it can be very challenging to weed through the lower level items to come up with a product that meets my own internal standards for both creativity as well as something that looks professional and is well-made. I have encountered many people who think their creations are of a high level. Yet they have not even explored the industry further to gain a better understanding of what is out there, what the market will bear for their product and the level that others working in a similar medium might be creating at. All of these things are important to know. It is fine to create off your kitchen table if the products you are creating are professional, finished looking and sell at a level that is consistent for that medium.

Especially with the upsurge of upcycling that has become in vogue in recent years in the crafts community, it is even more important to seek a high standard of creativity as well as professionalism when I am adding art to the existing Creative Genius environment. Our latest artist addition has definitely found the right balance between creativity and a professional product that anyone would be proud to wear. There is nothing junky about her jewelry creations and we're excited to have her as a part of Creative Genius...welcome Tracy!

Upcoming workshops at Creative Genius

Greetings from chilly but sunny Medford, NJ!
Today's post is all about getting out and trying something new. We specialize in helping our clients get creative and learn something they have always wanted to learn. And our schedule is pretty full of exciting February activities you won't want to miss...
If you see anything you'd like to register for, call us at 609-714-1131...more information about each of the workshops listed may be found on our website (see link with this post)


PRECIOUS METAL CLAY WORKSHOP
Coming up on Feb 12th from 2-5pm, this workshop is a great way to learn the basics of working with Precious Metal Clay. This clay like substance becomes pure silver (99.5% pure silver) once it is fired. It is a popular material for making jewelry.


ART OF SPIRALS JEWELRY WORKSHOP
Feb 19th from 12-2pm
Learn beginner wire-working techniques using some simple tools and your own creativity.

STAINED GLASS PANEL FOR BEGINNERS

Feb 26th from 9am-1pm

Create an 8x10 inch panel while learning basic beginner stained glass techniques.

FIGURE DRAWING WORKSHOP
Feb 22nd from 6:30-8:30pm
With instruction and a live figure model, complete some basic drawing exercises utilizing charcoal. Supply list provided at registration. Model fees included with workshop.

Little inspirations...

I think teaching is an opportunity to constantly be inspired by the folks around you. I am fortunate to be able to teach students in the Creative Genius studio as well as watch others teach in the studio too. And the students who have come through here are more than a little inspiring to me. My teachers have a variety of experiences that have brought them to a place where they are comfortable enough to teach others and they are all top notch in terms of talent, teaching ability and pedigree :)

Cody, during digital photo class with me

We have some really creative and fun folks who have been in our pottery classes, some great talent coming out of Digital Photography classes (both kids and adults too) and really unique perspectives in our Painting and Drawing Classes for Adults. Painting and Drawing for Teens is always full of creative surprises too. Jewelry classes also host a huge pool of talented folks with great design ideas who learn all about how to make their ideas happen.

A pic that Cody, my student, took of me

Floral Pottery shown by Andrea Smeraski

I just love the idea that folks get to come into an environment that I created from nothing and get inspired to create the way they do. I find it fascinating to see the progress that is made and it is even more rewarding when I start to see posts on facebook that just blow me away (good job, Kathleen! )




One of my favorite quotes is fitting:
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes; art is knowing which ones to keep."

Kudos to all who create and who have the guts to not only make the effort but to put themselves out there with their creations.



NEW STUFF!

Some new arrivals have just made their way into Creative Genius and kept Reece busy unpacking for the better part of this morning and early afternoon. She's finally opened the last box and is done with the display part, which is usually the most fun. And now we get to share the new creations with our customers. That is always the most fun part!
Included in our "newness" are the following items:
Earrings, necklaces and bracelets from Ted and Mary Walker
Earrings and necklaces from Shining Creations
Matted, unframed photographs from Elaine Walsh
Wood creations including wall pieces, boxes and  furniture by Gary Edelstein
Linoleum and linoleum reduction prints by Diane Podolsky
and there's more....but you'll have to check out the rest in person...
Just a note that we'll be closed on Sunday in celebration of Easter...
Happy Easter from Creative Genius Art Gallery & Studio!