Artists Are Coming To Class in Pajamas: "Teleclasses" Are the Newest Wrinkle in Continuing Education for Professional Artists

Come-as-you-are classes taught on a telephone conference call -- teleclasses -- are now making their way into the art world. Two new teleclasses for artists -- open to any artist with a telephone, from anywhere in the world -- will be launched on September 7, 2004 by Kathy Gulrich, an award-winning artist, art coach and owner of smART Business Coaching, New York.

August 23, 2004 -- What's the newest way for artists to come together to learn? "The telephone," according to Kathy Gulrich, an award-winning artist, art coach and owner of smART Business Coaching, New York.

"Classes taught on a telephone conference call -- teleclasses -- have been a standard practice among executives and small business owners for a decade now," says Gulrich, a founding member of the International Association of Coaches (IAC) and a graduate of the CoachVille Teleclass Leader Training Program. "Today, theyre making their way into the art world."

Gulrich is launching her own series of two new teleclasses -- open to any artist with a telephone, from anywhere in the world -- on September 7, 2004. Participants will explore the practical tips, ideas, and advice introduced in Gulrich's book, 187 Tips for Artists: How to Create a Successful Art Career - and Have Fun in the Process. Artists can choose from among two key topics:

BUSINESS BASICS FOR ARTISTS: Four Tuesdays: September 7, 14, 21, 28 - 8:00-9:00PM (EDT) - Artists will walk away with everything they need to know to make a terrific artist presentation, choose the right galleries and shows, price their work, and build relationships with customers and collectors.

ORGANIZATION, INSPIRATION, AND CREATIVITY: Four Thursdays: September 9, 16, 23, 30 - 8:00-9:00PM (EDT) - Artists will walk away with practical tips for setting up and organizing their studio or workspace, hooking up with - and learning from - other artists, getting through artist funks and being more creative.

Registration is available at: http://www.smARTlearningCenter.com/teleclasses.html

Why are teleclasses so appealing to artists? "When you get right down to it, most artists are happiest in their studios -- working, creating, or just hanging out. Theyre not happy spending extra time -- and money -- commuting to an art class," explains the New York City-based Gulrich. "But will they pick up their phone to join a lively teleclass discussion? Gladly. And yes, they can even show up in their pajamas."

According to Donna Dickerson, a Virginia-based artist who has worked with Gulrich, "There's simply no way you'll get off the phone with Kathy without learning something new, and having a plan to take that learning into action." Gulrich calls her approach "outcome-based" learning, and it's an integral part of every teleclass she leads.

Convenience is clearly a huge benefit of these come-as-you-are classes by phone. Not only do teleclasses provide access to information and resources unavailable to them any other way, they also give artists the opportunity to connect with other artists, virtually worldwide.

"Artists learn so much from each other," points out Nicki Orbach, an artist herself, and instructor at both The Art Students League and the National Academy of Design in New York. "I can only imagine how much richer our class discussions would be if they could also include ideas and perspectives from artists outside New York City."

Does Gulrich lead these teleclasses in HER pajamas? "No. I usually manage to slip into my comfy studio clothes before I join the calls," says Gulrich. "However, it's nice to know that I could show up in my jammies if the spirit moved me!"

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