Sunday night I also went over to the Tripnotica festival at The Delancy bar in Lower Manhattan.  I did not stay long because there was not that much for me there when I arrived (around 8 PM).  I’m told that 400 people attended by the end of the evening (I was long gone by then).

A couple of thoughts.  I spoke with someone from Art For Progress group and it sounded like it could be good to join it - I briefly mentioned the group the other day; but I’m not thinking of it for myself - it’s right for some artists, but not for everyone.  Most of what Art For Progress - www.artforprogress.org offers can be easily gotten elsewhere - but the packaging might be right for artist seeking to get visibility.  An artists’ life is not an easy path (not that any one’s life is) and anything that can make it easier is worth a look.

On the other hand, I’m too aware of how easy it is to get the thing that Art For Progress offers, so their pitch really does not work for me (website, multimedia upload and sharing is so common these days, and often free - that it makes little sense to sell that as one of your main features - and Art For Progress does do that).  The opportunities for showing work at various events and the community aspect of the membership, along with access to health benefits (which, as an artist, you can probably get via Healthy NY, from NY State without Art For Progress) are the main reasons to join.

After one drink and a conversation with an artist representative (of some pretty hideous work, by the way - my opinion) I left.

And it reminded me of just how hard it is to be an artist, to expose yourself via your work to the public - and now, via the internet, to the world at large.

One thing that is driving me to attend TRIPNOTICA on Sunday night at the Delancy is the Art For Progress group that’s participating.   I guess I’ll attend if but to make contact with Art For Progress (and maybe the rest of the music, club atmosphere, people, drinks, etc).

Now, you can view artforprogress.org and see what benefits you get for the 150.00 per year, USD, membership fee.  Here’s what AFP has to say about itself - it’s a long rant but worth reading:

“….Life as an artist isn’t easy. We’re comfortable with our talent and abilities as artists. We enjoy creating, communicating, and socializing through our art. But we all struggle with the everyday business challenges that are also a part of our world. One of the biggest of those challenges is learning how to market ourselves.

Sooner or later, every artist realizes that talent isn’t a guarantee for success. Whether a painter, photographer, musician, fashion designer, filmmaker or DJ, we all confront the same obstacles in the marketplace: we’re competing with a huge pool of unbelievable talent, and we’re all trying to get exposure and respect for our work.

Art For Progress is for serious artists who are ready to take a step forward and become part of a dynamic arts community. A community that offers many opportunities for exposure and links to the wider art world. A community that is creating a comprehensive, diverse arts program. A community that provides valuable resources to enable you to set and reach your goals – whatever those goals may be.

Although AFP launched it’s opening about two years ago, we already have more than a few success stories. Photographer Gabe Kirchheimer—whose groundbreaking Burning Man festival pictures were exhibited at AFP’s holiday 2004 fundraiser—was featured in the New York Times’ Arts & Leisure section preview of the event. Subsequently, the National Arts Club hosted his solo show in March 2005, and the Leipzig Museum of Contemporary art will include his work in a winter 2006 exhibition. At the other end of the arts spectrum, the work of innovative fashion designers Allyson Jacobs and Ashaka Givens—whose spring 2006 clothing lines debuted at AFP’s “The Art of Design” September 2005 event—was highlighted in two Women’s Wear Daily photo spreads following the show. And most recently, painter Juan Manuel Pajares has experienced a great deal of success back at home in Spain where thru his exposure and relationship with Art For Progress he has sold over fifty paintings in the last 6 months.

If you decide to become a part of the AFP community, as our presence grows you will grow with us. We are making a difference for artists not only by introducing their work, but also by conveying to the public the things that artists stand for and are passionate about. Things like inspiration, hope, and the realization of a dream. “

Yes, I do want to speak to AFP and I suggest all artists, particularly in New York, look them up as it sounds like they’re trying to address a lot of different issues that artists have in one package, with the marketing, grants, studio space, shows, health insurance - it sounds like a noble undertaking - one worth supporting.

Strictly speaking, most of the things AFP offers you can go out and get on your own but I’m suspecting, the real thing AFP offers in Community and that’s a big deal if your really into being part of an online artists’ community.  

I’ll have more to say about Art For Progress once I’ve spoken to them.

I don’t actually know if I’m going to end up going to the TRIPNOTICA MUSIC AND ART PREVIEW EVENT this Sunday; I’ve been invited by some of the artists participating in it and meant to write up something about TRIPNOTICA earlier but have been so busy with everything else - it’s amazing I get to paint at all - but I do.

The music sounds really good to me. Looking at some of the Art that will be hanging on Sunday night only, I feel that maybe I should try to go.  I have to admit though - one night dance club music in dark smoky club is probably not a great way to look at art - but sometimes we have to force ourselves to do it…right?  Plus, you never know who you’ll bump into at these things.  Most of the time I don’t talk to anyone - I’m shy and uncomfortable with crowds. 

But it’s hard to pass this one up - even though it’s on a Sunday night …. which I usually don’t like to go out on.  We’ll see.

I don’t know what TRIPNOTICA stands for, but I see, based on the poster images that it’s going to be a lot of fun.