By Lucille Lannigan
lucille.lannigan@albanyherald.com
ALBANY – Albany area artists and creatives should mark their calendars for the Albany Area Artist Network Launch Party this Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Albany Area Arts Council Gallery at 215 N. Jackson St.
Nicole Willis, the AAAC’s executive director, said artists and patrons are welcome at Thursday’s event, which is the first of its kind to help the creative community come together with potential patrons. Thursday’s event will offer the opportunity to participate in a community collage project, silent auction and open mic “show and tell” opportunity for people to share their art. There also will be food and drinks. The event is free to attend, but donations are welcome.
“We just really want people to know that a network is available and for them to come and be a part of … a creative community,” Willis said.
Thursday’s party launches the Albany Area Artist Network, which Willis said is meant to grow a registry of local artists and creative people.
“We know there are so many creative people out there in our community, but they tend to sort of exist in pockets, and we’re trying to create more of a central space of visibility for artists,” she said.
The network’s overarching mission is to connect patrons to artists and to connect artists with each other. A newly formed website allows local artists to create a free profile where they can upload images of their work and talk about what they do. Prospective patrons can use the site to find creatives for a desired service they may have.
The network is open to arts enthusiasts who are 18 and older. It’s meant to be an adult professional development and opportunity network. Youths are welcome to participate in Thursday’s event.
Willis said she and other creators of the network saw a need for the Albany community to have a space for creative people to come together, especially after the Georgia Artists Guild of Albany “closed up shop” last year.
The network also welcomes more than just visual artists but also performers.
Willis said she hopes Thursday gets the word out about the network and builds excitement for it. Artists can sign up for the network at the event and can have any questions answered by members at Thursday’s launch party.
