On June 16, 17 and 18th, the Collective Art Tank of Asbury Park, N.J hosted the annual training meeting of the Winsor & Newton and Liquitex Artist Outreach Program (AOP). The location was ideal in that Winsor & Newton and Liquitex are sponsors of The Collective Art Tank; supporting artists by offering affordable studio space, samples of art materials and technique based demonstrations.
The eighteen artists in the Liquitex program are located across the United States and Canada and perform product related demonstrations at colleges, retail stores and art organizations. Their annual meeting is an opportunity to gather together to discuss new art materials, best practices for effective demonstrations and to brainstorm new ideas (not to mention lots of laughing and eating).
So, why is the Artist Outreach Program such a big deal at Winsor & Newton and Liquitex? Because, how else can artists get the most out of their materials if they don’t fully understand them? This is where the AOP artists shine! Not only are they all professional artists, but many of them also teach on the college level and have an overwhelming passion for art materials. Their program is kind of geeky like that; their artists love to create their personal work but also get super jazzed when talking about the stuff that helps them make it. Educating artists to get the most out of their materials is at the core of the Artist Outreach Program.
Jimmy Leslie and Christina Yoder, who manage the AOP program within ColArt Americas, love to get everyone together for the annual meeting because it allows face to face communication in a way that is not otherwise possible. Although our world today is much smaller through email and Skype, nothing bonds a group and builds community like looking someone in the eye and really listening.
The AOP meeting is also a real morale builder. With everyone located in various parts of the U.S. and Canada, it is easy to feel separated from the main ColArt offices in New Jersey. Because these artists are the face of Winsor & Newton and Liquitex, it is vital that they are kept up to date with the newest technical information and this AOP meeting is a great way to keep everyone in the loop and to feel like part of the team. ColArt invests a lot of energy and financing into making this program the most comprehensive in the industry. They are proud of the quality of our brands and that artists rely on that quality to create their work. It’s this pride that drives their commitment to spreading the word, educating artists on the correct use of materials and investing in their future!
For more information about the Artist Outreach Program visit the Artist Outreach Program site.
For more information about The Collective Art Tank, visit Tank Site