FREE Seminar for Business Basics for the Artists of the Watershed

April 11 - Phil Mechanic Studios and Flood Gallery and Fine Arts Center,  in association with RiverLink, Self-Help Credit Union (SHCU) and the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), are pleased to present:

"Shedding Light on the Business of Art:  An Intensive One-Day Workshop on Business Basics for the Artists of the Watershed."

On Thursday April 11:

from 9:00 AM until 4:30 PM, Phil Mechanic Studios will open their doors for this one-day-only, free seminar (with lunch included) that will engage you in topics such as:

• Improving Your Credit Score
• Licensing, Registration with the State, and Legal Considerations
• Obtaining Funding
• Developing a Business Plan
• Growth Strategies
• Marketing, Pricing, Preparing a Professional Portfolio, and the Appropriate Use of Social Media

Each topic will be discussed by a group of experts in the field and then opened up for questions from the audience.  In addition to members of the four sponsor organizations, panelists will include, among others, representatives from AB Tech's Small Business Center, Asheville Grown, the City of Asheville, Eagle Market Street Development, Handmade in America, Mountain BizWorks, the Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF), OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling, SCORE, the Small Business Administration (SBA),  The Support Center, Venture Asheville and from the consulting firm, Who Knows Art.

Two special sessions will round out the day:  one that will present two artists in front of a select group of experts and give them the opportunity to present issues/problems/needs facing their business and receive feedback and a second that will wrap up the day with "success stories" that will inspire and empower you.

Participating artists will include Sean "Jinx" Pace, Melissa Terrezza, Jeremy Russell, and others.

This one-day event is FREE and open to all artists in the Watershed, but registration is required in order to assure seating and lunch.  Register today by calling 828.252.8474 ext. 10.  

Located in Asheville's River Arts District, RiverLink is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play.