I wish I could just lock myself in the studio to make sea glass jewelry and have everyone find me and buy the work. But it's just not that simple! To prepare for the Cape Ann Artisans Tour, each of us has to balance the creative energy to refresh our collections with some type of "job" to make the tour possible! Mine is to lead the marketing & promotional efforts. The challenge is alway to find out "what's new" and how to get the attention of the media, visitors, friends, and neighbors. A few years back, I led an arts-marketing workshop for the artisans and one of the great things coming out of that is our "From the Studio" blog. Here's where everyone truly shines – telling their story in their own way and keeping us up to date on what is happening the other 10 months of the year! We meet 2-3 times a year as a group to divide up tasks. Cynthia Curtis acts as an incredible recording secretary, keeping us all in line. Anni is the Treasurer, down to the penny! Beth Williams manages the production of the brochure – keeping it at the highest standards of quality working with designers and printers. Rob runs the website, Sara Wright manages the distribution of the brochure and posters for which we all take a piece of the responsibility – getting the information out around town. Judith, Sinnikka, and other work on getting sponsors for which we are SO grateful to help defray some costs of marketing materials. All in all, it's an incredible team effort with many spouses jumping in to help out as well as Artisans on leave (Terry, Rebecca, et al). The Artisans are members of seARTS, the Cape Ann Chamber, North of Boston Visitors Bureau, and work with all the tourism groups.
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It's a virtual institution of relationships fueled by a supportive community! So in just two days in the Spring, we all wait to see what happens. As our tour is a full month earlier this year, be sure to tune in this Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22 10-5 – and be part of an important annual ritual, our own CAA "Rite of Spring!"
