I am very interested in this thread. I want to make my full-time
living with my jewelry work because I love it so much and would look
so forward to each day! Right now I am working as a pharmacist
part-time and making jewelry, doing shows and contacting galleries
the rest of the time.
Just thinking outloud: What about a national organization to which
artists pay dues. A number of galleries could be set up spanning the
nation. The member artists would rotate their work through those
galleries. For example, someone who lives in Texas would display in
the Texas gallery one month, then send his/her work to the next
gallery for one month and then the next, etc. In addition to dues
the artists would pay a commission from sales through the galleries
or agree to work the galleries on rotation or both. It could be set
up so that the public would recognize the galleries throughout the
U.S.–kind of a chain image–and know that their purpose was to
support and give a sales venue for handmade art of all mediums.
Maybe some private donations could even be solicited. All types of
artisans could be solicited to increase the funding and the
participation.
I realize this would cost big bucks, but it might still be possible
to start with one gallery that all the dues-paying members got to
rotate through and then as funds were available, add another gallery
in another state, etc.
Again, just thinking outloud: I have always thought what a wonderful
dream come true it would be to set up an incorporated (is that the
word I want?) town where there was a town ordinance that anyone who
lived there would have to be an artisan or a dependent of an artisan
living with them. It would be like a perpetual fine arts
show/resort. Wouldn’t it be great to live where every neighbor was
an artisan? Wouldn’t the town attract a lot of tourists? Especially
if it was in the right area? I’m not sure how you would handle the
fire and police departments, etc. Maybe everyone except the fireman,
ambulance personnel, and police would have to be artisans and you
would build the town near another town with a hospital.
J. S. Ellington
jsellingon@cs.com
town where there was a town ordinance that anyone who lived there
would have to be an artisan or a dependent of an artisan living
with them. It would be like a perpetual fine arts show/resort.
There is just such a town. It’s called Paducah, KY. They advertise
in The Crafts Report, and have their own website. Also back issues
of Art Calendar have described individual artist’s experiences
moving into such towns.
Elaine Luther
Chicago area, Illinois, USA
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
Studio 925; established 1992
@E_Luther
There is just such a town. It's called Paducah, KY. They
advertise in The Crafts Report, and have their own website. Also
back issues of Art Calendar have described individual artist's
experiences moving into such towns.
Hi Elaine, I’m not sure where this came from, but I live
in Kentucky and Paducah is definitely not an artist only town.
Lots of farmers there. 
Unless there is a community within Paducah
that has created a retreat type area, but the town itself has no such
ordinances. Berea, Kentucky (the nearest town to me) is basically
the town in Kentucky known for it’s arts and crafts worldwide, as
well as the college here, but even it has a mostly non-artist
population.
Carrie
Wired Contemporary Jewelry
http://www.wiredjewelry.com
Here’s the ad from the February 2002 Art Calendar –
Paducah Artist Relocation Program
Opportunities for Artists and Businesses!
Paducah’s Artist Relocation Program includes: Low interest loans,
free web sites, health care through the KY Art Council, Free Lots
for New Construction, facade program.
Cultural attractions are listed next.
Contact: Mark Barone – City of Paducah, KY 300 S. 5th St.
Paducah, KY 42202-2267 mbarone@ci.paducah.ky.us 270-444-8690
www.paducaharts.com
I suppose it would have been better had I said there was a town
trying to do what the previous poster had indicated.
Elaine Luther
Chicago area, Illinois, USA
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
Studio 925; established 1992
@E_Luther
As an FYI, here in Southern Arizona there is a city called Tubac.
It lies between Tucson and the Mexico border town Nogales. I have
visited Tubac on occasion and it is commonly referred to as an
artists’ community. It is a very small place, and while I expect not
everyone is an artist (shopowners etc), my understanding is that most
are. Regardless of the type of art, the theme of the Southwest runs
strongly throughout the galleries. If you are ever in the area I
highly recommend a visit. You can visit all the shops in a day,
spend some time in a small bookshop filled with books you don’t often
see, and have a meal at one of the charming little restaurants. How
wonderful. Diana
Perhaps in your post you mistake the word "artisan" for
"artist"?
Hi Larry,
I enjoyed your post to Orchid tonight! The goldsmith whom I
apprenticed with would say things to his customers like; "the artisan
hasn’t finished polishing your ring yet, so I’ve always thought of
myself as an artisan and took pride in the identity.
I guess it really doesn’t matter too much, but after reading your
dissertation on Artists, Craftsmen and Artisans, maybe I could give
myself an upgrade in job description!
Warm regards,
Jesse Kaufman
JDK JEWELRY
Handcrafted Originality
CAD/CAM Technology